You may have seen Nicola Sturgeons announcement during a press conference confirming that Santa is a key worker, and his magic will keep him safe from Coronavirus. Such a relief! What about the rest of us who don’t have magic to rely on? Well Rishi Sunak has revised the Job Support Scheme (but not the final month of the Job Retention Scheme), along with an improved Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and an English Grant Scheme addition for those businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors in ‘high alert areas’ who have not been forced to close but have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 restrictions imposed. This can be claimed for retrospective periods, I believe, going back to August but the business may have to wait for the monies to be filtered down to local authorities first and foremost. Please see below for the latest information: The Chancellor has been under pressure since his Winter Economy Plan announcement back in late September to go further in ...

Remember Brexit?  Well you may have seen an increase in adverts and pronouncements warning businesses about the 1st January 2021 deadline, when the UK/EU transition period comes to an end. I want to emphasise the importance of those UK businesses who trade with the EU to act now before it’s too late. If you would like do discuss this further or are a bit bewildered with it all then please do not hesitate to get in touch. Below, I have summarised all you need to know and consider as the deadline looms……. Is your business ready for 1st January 2021? The UK left the European Union as of 31st January 2020, however, the impact of this withdrawal on businesses was delayed until the end of the transition period, 31st December 2020. While within the transition period, the UK is still in effect a member of the single market and customs union and as such normal rules apply. With the end of the transition period fast approaching , any business that trades with the EU should familiarise ...

You’ve heard of Checkatrade and TrustATrader , but you may not have heard of The Google Guarantee. Much like Checkatrade and TrustATrader, The Google Guarantee is another way of reassuring customers that they have chosen a reputable plumbing and heating business. Having your business backed by The Google Guarantee will attract new customers. A guarantee badge will appear next to your business name and with Local Services by Google, you’ll appear at the top of the search, connect with customers in your area, and only pay when a customer gets in touch from your ad. The Google Guarantee badge is available for businesses that pass a Google screening and qualification process through Local Services Ads. If you’re backed by the Google Guarantee, and your customers (that came to your business through Local Services Ads) aren’t satisfied with the quality of your work, Google may, in its absolute and sole discretion, reimburse the customer up to the amount paid for the initial service, subjec...

Good afternoon all, As the news breaks of the 3-tier lockdown system, the government have announced extended financial support under the Job Support Scheme. This is due to come into effect on 01/11/2020 following on from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Following a Government Factsheet issued over the weekend regarding the extra support for businesses forced to close as a result of lockdown restrictions, I thought I would share with you what know. I expect there will be frequent, new information for me to share with you, which I will continue to do as I become aware of it. Take care and keep safe What are changes announced? The Chancellor has announced:  An extension to the new Job Support Scheme for businesses required to close due to COVID restrictions. Cash grants for businesses required to close in local lockdowns. When does the Job Support Scheme start? It starts on 1 November 2020 and is available for 6 months. Prior to that date, the employer is expected to util...

You’ve heard the phrase ‘target audience ’ or ‘ target market’ flying around for a long time I’m sure. It refers to who you are aiming your products and services at. But to know who your target market is, you really need to consider who is your ideal client? Who is your business for? This could be behavioural or demographic, but you can consider this right down to the finest details. Aiming your business at everyone is exhausting as you won’t stand out from the thousands of other businesses. You will be working tirelessly to win business as there will always be someone else doing the same thing, willing to charge slightly less. It’s not co st effective either. A specialist always makes more than a generalist. Take a heart surgeon vs a General Practitioner (GP) for example, a heart surgeon has to train in one area – the heart, so goes to just heart surgeon training courses. Whereas a GP has to know a little about everything so has to go on more courses, spending more time studying and...

 5%VAT Are you charging your customers too much in VAT?  Did you know that you may be able to charge only 5% VAT in certain circumstances? For people working in the construction industry, in residential properties, certain energy saving, heating, security products and mobility aid installations are subject to the reduced VAT rate being 5%. This includes the cost of the products themselves if you supply and install them. If you only supply the products, then you must charge the standard rate of 20%. So a plumbing and heating business buying energy saving products and installing these products on a residential property can charge 5% VAT. The merchant selling the products to a plumbing and heating installation business must charge 20% VAT. I hope this is clear! Energy saving, heating, and security You can charge the reduced rate of VAT on work you do to install qualifying energy-saving products , and certain grant-funded heating and security equipment for people over 60 or on...