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NW property investment experts optimistic about post Brexit outlook
RESEARCH by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) shows a surprising result following the recent Brexit vote with investment activity in the North West remaining robust. In contrast to expectations that investment activity would drastically slow down in Q2 in the run up to the referendum, LSH's quarterly UK Investment Transactions report showed there was a 42% uplift to £501 million compared with the same period in the previous year of £353 million. The research has however shown that investors have now turned their focus on defensive assets to counter the volatility in the market. Abid Jaffry who heads up the northern capital markets team at Lambert Smith Hampton, said:- "It is a surprising result and we need to treat the increase in the context of just one quarter and a couple of large acquisitions which can skew the figures somewhat. There's no doubt that the Brexit result has had an effect on the investment market with a downturn in pricing, but the amounts feel like a pricing correction rather than the widescale adverse price drops predicted, which should give investors confidence. Sales of assets in the regions by some of the retail funds have, by and large, transacted or surpassed book values. It has therefore been somewhat of a false dawn for some of the equity houses that anticipated significant price drops. However, the level of economic uncertainty still prevails but solid performance, low interest rates and an attractive exchange rate have meant we're still seeing a lot of investor appetite. It will be interesting to see the volume and pricing of new stock as we enter the September period." Sums don't add up for Manchester accountant
AN accountant from Levenshulme, who created fake Tax returns and expense accounts to steal more than £285,000 has been jailed after he was caught by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Amjad Ali, 65, whose business was based in Longsight, used his client's details to create fraudulent online Self Assessment Income Tax returns. In the majority of cases, he added non-existent employee travel and subsistence expenses, with some including fictitious pension details and fake self employment work. Ali admitted that over 5 years he had claimed more than £285,000 in fraudulent Income Tax refunds as a result of these fictitious Tax accounts. Sandra Smith, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:- "As an accountant, Ali was in a position of trust and well aware that he was breaking the law. This was a well organised, professional attempt to manipulate the UK Tax system in order to steal money that should have been funding public services. This was an ambitious plan to steal money from UK taxpayers, which we have intercepted. Ali now has a criminal record and his professional reputation is ruined. If you know of anyone who is committing Tax fraud you can report them by calling our 24 hour Hotline on:- 0800 59 5000." On 24 May 2016, Ali entered a guilty plea in respect of 42 clients and admitted he stole £285,344.91 in false Income Tax repayments. Alongside the criminal investigation, HMRC has reviewed the Tax affairs of Ali's clients. The investigation has established that more than £725,000 in Tax has been under declared or claimed fraudulently with Ali believed to have pocketed between £80,000 and £110,000 as his share or 'fee'. The remainder is being recovered through his client's Tax bills, with HMRC ensuring the correct amount of Tax is paid. On Friday, 2 September 2016, Ali was jailed for 43 months at Manchester Crown Court. |
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ADHD diagnosis drive to start in Liverpool NEW ways to diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) faster in children are being investigated in Liverpool. Young people aged between 6 to 18 years, who have been referred for an assessment of the condition, are being invited to help. Principal Investigator Professor Chris Hollis, who is leading the project
looking at better ways to diagnose, said:- "ADHD affects up to five in 100
children and if left undiagnosed the child can sometimes become isolated because
no one understands their behaviour.
There has been rapid growth in diagnosis over the last 30 years with the number
of children recognised and treated for ADHD in the UK increasing almost 10 fold
from the early 1980's. Despite the increasing numbers, clinical methods for the
assessing and treating of ADHD have hardly changed, so we want to look at the
best way to identify the condition." Merseyside Police signs up to mental health campaign MERSEYSIDE Police Chief Constable Andy
Cooke and Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy on Wednesday, 7 September
2016, pledged to challenge mental health stigma and promote wellbeing in the
workplace. During an event at Merseyside Police headquarters, attended by mental
health charities and Merseyside Police staff, both signed the Blue Light Time To
Change Pledge, to join the Blue Light Mental Health and Wellbeing Network. In
May 1016, Merseyside Police 1st signed up to the network, which was the 1st of
its kind in the UK, to develop access to mental health information and support
for all employees of emergency services in Merseyside. The Pledge, introduced
and delivered by the mental health charity Mind, is a growing movement of over
400 employers across different sectors in England who are all working to tackle
mental health stigma and promote positive wellbeing within their workplaces. The
event was timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, on Saturday, 10
September 2016, the theme of which is 'Connect, communicate, care'
and aims to foster connections with those who have lost a loved 1 to suicide or
have been suicidal themselves, to further suicide prevention efforts.
Representatives from the charities State of Mind Sport and Wirral Mind spoke at
the event, which was also attended by staff members who will be trained as Peer
Supporters within the organisation. Former Rugby League players Paul Highton and
Jimmy Gittins are trustees for State of Mind Sport and shared their stories to
the audience. |
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