HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) launched a new interactive online tool and guidance for people working for themselves and individuals considering self-employment. Aimed at supporting new and existing ‘sole traders’ to better understand their responsibilities
Dorset Council councillors have voted to adopt a new Council Plan. The Council Plan 2024-29 sets out the vision for the future Dorset the council wants to see. While the council will continue to deliver these essential services, the Council Plan also sets out the 4 key areas where significant improvement will be made over the next 5 years.
The Chief Executive of Dorset Council Matt Prosser has announced that he will be leaving the council in spring 2025 for a new role as Chief Executive of Wellington City Council in New Zealand.
Matt has led Dorset Council for the six years since he was appointed to the role in October 2018, ahead of the council’s formation in 2019
HMRC is reminding Self Assessment customers to be alert to potential scams and fraudsters ahead of the filing deadline on 31 January 2025. Concerned customers reported nearly 150,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the last year, as Self Assessment filers are warned to be alert to fraudsters.
At the CBI’s Annual Conference, CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith will today (Monday 25 Nov) say that “margins are being squeezed and profits are being hit” and when you “hit profits, you hit competitiveness, you hit investment, you hit growth.”
At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced a package of measures to reform business rates and support the high street. Here are the details and an opportunity to have your say on the Transforming Business Rates paper.
The chancellor has made some challenging choices in the budget. Today (Thursday), small businesses will need to decide their next steps: should they increase prices, shift growth investments, or cut staff?
Read the key points in breif and reaction from Chamber President Steve Bulley
Research has found that 41% of small business owners and sole traders employ family members, with 27% employing their partner.
The research also found that 17% of business owners and sole traders plan to pass their business on to a family member when they retire. However, 7% believed that their family wouldn’t want to run their business.
Following the success of the first two rounds of Dorset Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grants, the final round is now open. Businesses can apply for grants between £2,000 – £20,000, with eligible Start-ups able to apply for grants from £1,000 – £5,000.
Students and those going back to university are being warned about the top fraud types affecting young people, as new data reveals almost 69,000 reports were received from people aged between 11 and 29, losing a total of £143.7 million in 2023.
The Farming Community Network (FCN) has introduced the Greenzone Checklist, a valuable resource designed to enhance both business and personal resilience for farmers and farm businesses. This checklist assists in identifying strengths and areas where additional information or support may be beneficial.
British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay. The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary convened a meeting with trade unions and business leaders in a first-of-its-kind meeting on 14 August.
It has been a week of financial numbers for members to digest with inflation and UK economy growth both rising.
The 0.6% expansion in the UK economy during Q2 2024 signals a positive trajectory, reaffirming its recovery from the previous recession. This was widely expected and the markets have reacted positively.
The majority of SMEs are still not using artificial intelligence, despite a growing acceptance by businesses that it will help boost productivity. Steve Bulley, President of Dorchester Chamber for Business, said: “The adoption of AI is not just a trend, but a strategic investment that can spur efficiency, innovation, and growth. It’s time for SMEs to overcome barriers and harness the power of AI or be left behind.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, has made a statement to the House of Commons about the state of public finances this week. Dorchester Chamber for Business President Steve Bulley summaries what we heard in this article.
The Government will use its mandate for change to put economic growth at the heart of its legislative agenda as it prepares for The King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 17 July.
