Hot topics
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced the Pre-Budget Report will
take place on 24 November at 3.30pm. Barry Marshall, UK head of tax at
PwC comments on how this opportunity must be used to provide guidance and
reassurance.
We believe that the business that will emerge from the downturn agile and
fit for the future will focus on ’10 fundamental priorities’.
Local construction and retail companies continue to report falling
sales. It is important manufacturing and engineering businesses in the
region prepare now for the next wave of the credit crunch.
Companies in the region are not waiting to invest. Instead they are using
the downturn as an opportunity to create competitive advantage, according to
assurance specialists at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
When times get tough reducing headcount can seem an obvious way to cut
costs. However, business managers should realise that by keeping their ‘head’
and retaining and retraining the right talent, they can create greater business
value in the medium and longer term.
As the sustainability agenda evolves, the challenge for business is to look
beyond green issues and focus on delivering long term business value.
Predicting suitable stock levels is the key concern for local retailers
ahead of the crucial Christmas shopping period.
Taxpayers now have a window of opportunity to submit claims, conceivably
dating back to the introduction of VAT in the UK in 1973.
An upturn in green consumer spending could help local retailers survive the
downturn.
Announcements in this year’s Budget represent a major change in the way HMRC
will do business with its “customers” as new information and inspection powers
are introduced for direct and indirect taxes.
In this brief video, Peter Buckle, Corporate Restructuring partner, advises
businesses that good cash management matters – not just in a downturn.
During the current economic downturn, companies in the region may need to
shift their focus and nurture valuable stakeholder relationships.
Since its introduction over ten years ago, there is no doubt that the
Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has helped to deliver some real benefits for
the region and the pipeline remains as busy as ever.
Watch the video to hear an update of how individuals and trustees can take
advantage of the 18% CGT rate announced in the Budget 2008 with Midlands
private client partner Gary Telford.
Listen to our exclusive podcast and find out how the manufacturing and
automotive industries have been bucking economic trends in the Midlands,
When a downturn threatens, businesses need to take decisive steps to
understand the situation and what it means for their future survival. Planning
for a downturn maximises the options available, enabling the best prepared
businesses to come through the bad times reenergised and fit for the
future.
There has been an upturn in interest from local companies seeking to set up
a tax efficient employee share option scheme while they still can.
The 2008 company car UK report looks at how companies have been preparing
for these changes and shows how seriously an increasing number of companies are
taking their environmental impact.
With concerns over asset write-downs and liquidity persisting into 2008, the
74th CBI/PricewaterhouseCoopers financial services survey shows the industry
waking up to a harsh new reality.
While data security is recognised as high priority for local businesses, a
survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) reveals a significant gap between
their attitudes and actions.
Midlands manufacturers choosing to offshore their production overseas to
countries in Central and Eastern Europe shouldn’t be put off by risks of fraud
and corruption.
UK businesses affected by fraud have seen a doubling of the average cost of
economic crime over the last two years, according to the latest Global Economic
Crime Survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
With skilled individuals at a premium, understanding the nature of
tomorrow’s workforce is increasingly important for businesses in the
region.
Find out what the recent changes to capital gains tax means for individuals
and trusts in this short video by Midlands private client partner Gary
Telford.
With the 31 March 2008 deadline fast approaching, time is running out for
the hundreds of companies that have still not claimed tax relief on the
research and development (R&D) work they have carried out.
Family businesses in the Midlands are putting their financial futures at
risk because they are failing to plan ahead for a change of leadership.
The Government is about to implement the most radical change in immigration
law for the past 30 years with a five tier points based system replacing more
than 80 existing immigration categories.
Information is one of the most valuable assets an organisation possesses.
The way companies safeguard their information is coming under increased
scrutiny. Technology has tended to focus on functionality rather than security
and many systems are therefore insecure.
The impact of climate change has moved sustainability high up the boardroom
agenda in recent years and with growing stakeholder interest in this issue, it
is essential for businesses to get their strategy and position right.
Many changes have taken place to the UK reporting model in the past two
years through the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) and more recently the Business Review. Given the increasing complexity
and length of financial reports, and that many argue non-financial and
contextual information has become crucial to understand business performance,
it appears that the legislation could not have arrived at a better time.
The issue of bribery and corruption is a major concern for businesses
operating overseas and one where the legislative environment is both complex
and expanding.
Demand for counterfeit luxury goods may be set to rise as consumers face a
spending squeeze but retain their appetite for luxury brands.
The so-called 'credit crunch' has been a source of much debate but just how
serious are the current financial conditions and what are the implications for
the average small business in the region?
A sharp rise in the number of small businesses is increasing the demand for
a more integrated approach to business support in order to ensure these
companies develop in a sustainable way.
There are many considerations businesses should take into account when
deciding whether to invest in an emerging economy, however, one of the often
overlooked factors is taxation.
Have you ever wondered if there is another person on the planet who is just
like you? Looks just like you, shares your sense of humour and taste in music,
or maybe just has an identical name and date of birth.
When a company is up for sale – or selling off one of its parts – vendor due
diligence (“VDD”) is a valuable tool to provide an in depth and credible report
on its health to potential purchasers.
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