News reports located on this page = 3.

Ditch paper receipts, as VAT goes digital

NEARLY 3 times as many senior decision makers at businesses in the North West have lost a date's phone number (14%) than a Tax form (5%), according to new figures. The poll, run by YouGov for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), also found that 92% of senior decision makers in the Region personally do their banking online, 82% buy train tickets online and 61% support the idea of digitalised Tax accounts.

HMRC is now inviting business leaders across the Region to join its digital revolution, by ditching paper receipts and signing up for Making Tax Digital instead. Most businesses above the VAT threshold will need to keep their records digitally and submit their VAT return using compatible software when MTD is introduced for periods starting on or after 1 April 2019.

In practice, the vast majority of businesses won't need to send their 1st MTD return until August 2019, at the earliest, but if they aren't already keeping their records digitally they will need to start doing so. HMRC are encouraging more businesses to get involved early by getting software and starting to test the service now.

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:- "Anything that helps businesses to manage their Tax more easily so they can focus on what they do best - innovating, expanding, and creating jobs and profits; is what every modern business needs.  In a world where customers and suppliers are already banking, paying bills and shopping online, it makes sense for HMRC and businesses to bring Tax affairs fully into the 21st century.  Going digital with business records and Taxes is the next step to businesses getting more control over their business and their finances."

Theresa Middleton, Director of the Making Tax Digital for Business Programme, said:- "There is no change to 'what' information is provided through MTD, just 'how' it is recorded, generated and provided. We want to help businesses be ready for the changes which kick in for VAT periods which start on or after 1 April 2019. We'll have written to every business required to join this year by the end of February, but even back in December over 80% of them were aware of the changes they need to make and the vast majority of those are already preparing. More than 16,500 businesses have already signed up to do their VAT digitally; why don't you join them?"

For most businesses their accountant or other Tax representative will already be aware and will advise them how and when they need to make changes to be ready for the new service. Those already using software will simply need to ensure it is MTD compatible before joining the new service.

For those who are not using an accountant though, it is quick and easy to sign up and there is lots of information available to help them prepare, including about what software is available.

What businesses need to do?

►  Take steps to find out if your business is affected by the Making Tax Digital changes and what you need to do if it is. Most businesses above the VAT threshold have to start keeping their records digitally and sending their VAT return to HMRC direct from their software for VAT periods starting on or after 1 April 2019.

► Talk to your accountant or other agent; if you use 1 to manage your VAT affairs - about how they are making returns Making Tax Digital compliant.

► Speak to your software provider if you already use software to ensure it will be compatible.

Those businesses who are either not represented by an accountant and/or do not already use software will need to select software to use and sign up to MTD. Our GOV.UK website provide information on a wide variety of products, from free software for businesses with more straightforward Tax affairs, to increasingly sophisticated paid solutions. There are also products that can be used in conjunction with a spreadsheet for those businesses who don't want to change their underlying record keeping system.

You can watch on a video of Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, speaking about MTD on YouTube for more information.  Also you can find easy to use guides for businesses, agents and others including easy to follow advice are available online at:- Gov.UK/Guidance. Plus you can watch webinars and videos for Making Tax Digital are also available on the UK Government's website.

Did you know...? MTD is part of the UK Government's #SmarterGov campaign which was launched to drive innovation through the public sector?

Theatre Reviews:- 'The Full Monty'
Review by Hana Kelly!

THE Full Monty has been showing at the Manchester Opera House. It is a show set in the 1990's that follows 6 unemployed men on their journey to find some money - through stripping.

These men are not your traditional strippers, instead they are older, do not have traditional stripper bodies, and have zero experience of dance. They are the men of Sheffield. The men who worked in the factories. It is a story of overcoming obstacles and putting yourself out there to achieve your goals.

However, this performance did not incite these emotions. Instead, it was a mockingly offensive. There were jokes that meant it felt trapped when it was set in the 90's. They created humour from sexuality, weight, suicide, and a multitude of other issues.

Whilst it is important to remember that the 90s was almost 2 decades ago, the jokes do not have to reflect the lack of political correctness in that time. As Jean Valjean says in Les Misérables:- "It’s a time that is dead, there are words better unheard, better unsaid."

The depiction of an attempted suicide, although warned about on bars, was unexpected to say the least. This scene was followed up with the two main characters, Gaz and Dave, discussing other possible ways of ending one’s life. These comments were met with some unenthusiastic laughs from the audience. More people simply shuffled uncomfortably.

Despite this, director Rupert Hill does show the nitty-gritty realities of the North in the 90's. The relationships formed on stage are bonding and lasting, and the relationship between Gaz and his son Nathan, played by Fraser Kelly, is unbreakable.

The witty speech, and stellar soundtrack really add to the atmosphere. Whilst the relaxed staging, based around a steelworks, reinforces the men’s desperation for work and money.

The famed final performance does not disappoint. This is what the audience came for. The dance is perfectly awkward, and the men do not shy away from revealing all. The atmosphere in the audience as the curtain came down was electric with excitement.

To find out what other shows are on at the Manchester Opera House, click on here now...

If you did not get to see The Full Monty Tour, in Manchester, they are heading to Liverpool's Empire Theatre, on Monday, 18 March 2019 to 23 March 2019. For tickets and to see all the other venues on the 2019 tour, go to:- ViaGoGo.Co.UK.

Did you know? The Full Monty is Simon Beaufoy’s 1st work for the theatre. His screen credits include:- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Battle of the Sexes and Slumdog Millionaire, as well as The Full Monty.

Hugh Baird College students take a trip behind the scenes at Disneyland Paris!

HUGH Baird College BTEC Health and Social Care and A-level Business students recently took a trip behind the scenes at Disneyland Paris. The trip allowed the students a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend subject specific seminars and workshops linked to their course. The students took part in 2 curriculum led seminars featuring subject specific case studies, interviews with Disneyland Paris managers and exclusive behind the scenes video footage alongside interactive workshops designed to focused on health, lifestyle and business within the context of Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris (formerly known as Euro Disney Resort), is an entertainment resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France, a new Town located 32km east of the centre of Paris. Disneyland Paris first opened its doors to guests back in 1992 and has roughly over 300 million guests per year and 15,000 cast members on site.

The BTEC Health and Social Care students kicked off the trip by attending the:- 'Health and Social Care Study Experience.' As part of this, the students gained an exclusive insight into how Disneyland Paris meets individual's needs including;- guest safety, accessibility and empowerment, the effects of a Theme Park Attraction, on the human body, Hotel facilities for the impaired, catering for those with allergies and intolerances and working with children.

Abi Norbury, Hugh Baird College BTEC Health and Social Care student, said:- "It was great to take part in the seminars and workshops. You don't typically think that going to Disneyland Paris would link towards a Health and Social Care course, however issues related to health and lifestyle are affecting every organisation including Disney. It was rewarding to think we may have helped towards improving someone's experience at Disneyland Paris."

The A-level Business students completed the:- 'Business Studies Study Experience' which featured seminars and workshops, focused on the business side of Disneyland Paris and how it is marketed to different target audiences through the use of clever unique selling points and the power of Disney's brand. The students also looked into the financial side of the business including; accounting, cash flow management, monitoring and evaluation.

Holly Murphy, Hugh Baird College A-level Business student, said:- "I loved the business workshops and seminars, it was really interesting to see the strategies the Marketing team use at Disneyland Paris and how they implement them throughout the park. You don't realise how powerful these strategies can be until you see the results."

The students ended their trip by spending the day in both the Disneyland and the Disney Studios parks and were lucky enough to experience the amazing light and firework show:- 'Disney illuminations.'

Maria Hanson, Hugh Baird College A-level Business student said:- "I've always wanted to go to Disneyland Paris, the theme park and illuminations were amazing. It was great to learn something new, yet have the opportunity to have fun."

Sarah Marriott, Hugh Baird College A-level Business Tutor said:- 'This was a unique opportunity for the students, to be given an insight into the resort's strategies and plans for the future, gave them the knowledge to help further their studies. It has been a fantastic experience for all!'

For more information on A-level courses can be found on Hugh Baird College's website or by calling:- 0151 353 4444.