The latest edition of the Joint Taxation Committee’s Newsline for May can be downloaded here. Liz Bridge reports that there seem to be some problems with CIS online verifications, particularly of partnerships. If any member experiences difficulty, can they contact Liz as she requires examples to show HMRC. Email liz@thetaxbridge.com
Other items of interest include:
Making Tax Digital
Apprenticeship Levy
Call for evidence: employee expenses
Topping up a poor NIC record
Tax-free allowances on property and trading income
We are proud to advise that Cath, Clair, Erika, Sharon, Nicky and Carole, who are based at the FIS office in Solihull, are donning their pink gear to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life on Saturday 15 July. Our team, aptly named ‘Can the FIS ladies finish?’ will tackle the Pretty Muddy 5k obstacle course which includes scrambling over an A-frame and crawling through a mud pit, in an effort to raise valuable funds to help beat cancer. This is a charity dear to our hearts as two of the FIS team have fought the disease during the last two years, so your support would be much appreciated.
Visit the ‘Can the FIS ladies finish?’ fundraising page at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/can-the-fis-ladies-finish to make a donation or if you can come along to Cofton Park in Birmingham to cheer us on, we would love to see you. We will be crossing the start line at 10.45am 😊
A summary of the data from the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI® for April revealed that construction growth picked up in April, driven by work on civil engineering projects.
Other key findings include:
Sharpest rise in total construction output so far in 2017
Civil engineering expands at fastest pace for 13 months
Suppliers’ lead-times lengthen to greatest extent since June 2015
We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest publication A Client’s Guide: Office Fit-Out and Refurbishment.
For many clients, creating an office fit-out that suits their business needs, their customers and staff – and having it happen on time, to specification and to budget – can seem daunting. This has prompted FIS to create the guide to not only assist them with the process but to also promote the outstanding work which FIS members carry out.
The guide will enable contractors to demonstrate that they follow best practice; for architects and designers, they can aid their clients in understanding the fit-out process, highlighting the importance of design.
The launch took place on Thursday 25 May during Clerkenwell Design Week, an annual event where showrooms open their doors, launch new products and hold events and seminars. The event was well-attended and free copies of the guide were available. To download a PDF version of the guide, go to our Publications page.
FIS showcased its flagship BuildBack programme by hosting an open day at Tyne Metropolitan College on 10 April.
The event enjoyed full attendance and participation from all partners, employers and trainees including Mary Glindon, MP for North Tyneside. The trainees put on a demonstration of their skills learnt to date.
MP Mary Glindon said “what I have seen here today is trainees building new skills and getting into a trade, that will not just carry them forward in a job for life, but will enable them to earn a high level of income”.
Working in collaboration with CITB and in partnership with Tyne Metropolitan College, Jobcentre Plus and Dry Lining and Plastering Training Forum (DLPTF), the programme is designed to provide opportunities for job seekers who are serious about developing a career in drylining.
To find out more, watch videos and download BuildBack brochures, click here.
Adoption of offsite construction is growing, and calls for change – in particular Mark Farmer’s report Modernise or Die – have prompted CITB to publish their research report Faster, Smarter, More Efficient: Building Skills for Offsite Construction.
With offsite construction muddying the waters between manufacturing, construction and engineering, there is a need for change in behaviour, attitudes and greater emphasis on digital skills.
The report identifies the different functions required for successful implementation of offsite, the skills that are needed, the gaps in training provision and what the CITB and industry can do to address these challenges.
Read the full report here, or the summary and action plan here.
