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07/12/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Further Arrest In Connection With Millbank Area Disorder
Officers investigating the disorder at the NUS student march in central London on 10 November have arrested another person. The 16 year-old male was arrested at his home address in Walworth at approximately 8.00am on suspicion of violent disorder, and is now in custody at a south London police station. He is the 69th person arrested so far - one man was charged and 67 remain bailed to return pending further inquiries.
Student Festive Helpers Get Tax Free Income Gift
Students who work as Santa’s helpers, ice rink supervisors and shop gift wrappers are being reminded that they may not have to pay tax on the income they receive over the festive season. With universities, colleges and schools set to break up for the Christmas holidays over the coming weeks, many students will be starting holiday jobs. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is therefore reminding them that, as long as their total earnings for the tax year are less than the personal allowance of £6,475, they will not have to pay any tax. But to ensure that employers do not take tax off their earnings before it goes into their bank accounts or pockets, students have to fill in a form, P38(S). This can be downloaded from the HMRC website. Those who fail to fill in the form and who do pay tax can claim it back afterwards, by submitting a form P50. Anyone who worked over the summer and earned less than £6,475, but paid tax on those earnings, should also apply for a refund as they could receive a Christmas present of £340 from the tax office.
Ban Electronic Cigarettes Until Safety Concerns Are Addressed, Say Researchers
Regulatory authorities should consider banning electronic cigarettes until safety concerns have been addressed, concludes research published online in Tobacco Control. The researchers base their conclusions on an evaluation of six different brands of electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS. These are not tobacco products, but are designed to look and feel like regular cigarettes. They are aimed at smokers for use in places where cigarette smoking is not permitted as they don’t produce smoke. They usually consist of a battery, an atomiser, and a replaceable cartridge containing nicotine suspended in propylene glycol and water. The e-cigarettes analysed in the study were bought from online vendors and assessed on design features; the accuracy and clarity of labelling; and the quality of instruction leaflets and associated printed material either supplied with the product or available on the manufacturer’s website. The basic design of all the products was similar, but the design features varied considerably, the evaluation showed. Fluid containing nicotine readily leaked out of most cartridges while cartridge labelling was very poor, with most replacement packs lacking any indication of cartridge content, expiry date, or health warnings. Cartridges claiming to have no nicotine content looked identical to those claiming to have high nicotine content and they were indistinguishable once removed from their packs and wrappers. All brands were sold with “ambiguous amounts of nicotine,” with levels varying from 6 mg to 24 mg. Their findings prompt the authors to conclude: “Our observations provide evidence that regulators should consider removing ENDS from the market until design features, quality control, labelling, disposal and safety issues have been adequately addressed.”
(BMcN)
Officers investigating the disorder at the NUS student march in central London on 10 November have arrested another person. The 16 year-old male was arrested at his home address in Walworth at approximately 8.00am on suspicion of violent disorder, and is now in custody at a south London police station. He is the 69th person arrested so far - one man was charged and 67 remain bailed to return pending further inquiries.
Student Festive Helpers Get Tax Free Income Gift
Students who work as Santa’s helpers, ice rink supervisors and shop gift wrappers are being reminded that they may not have to pay tax on the income they receive over the festive season. With universities, colleges and schools set to break up for the Christmas holidays over the coming weeks, many students will be starting holiday jobs. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is therefore reminding them that, as long as their total earnings for the tax year are less than the personal allowance of £6,475, they will not have to pay any tax. But to ensure that employers do not take tax off their earnings before it goes into their bank accounts or pockets, students have to fill in a form, P38(S). This can be downloaded from the HMRC website. Those who fail to fill in the form and who do pay tax can claim it back afterwards, by submitting a form P50. Anyone who worked over the summer and earned less than £6,475, but paid tax on those earnings, should also apply for a refund as they could receive a Christmas present of £340 from the tax office.
Ban Electronic Cigarettes Until Safety Concerns Are Addressed, Say Researchers
Regulatory authorities should consider banning electronic cigarettes until safety concerns have been addressed, concludes research published online in Tobacco Control. The researchers base their conclusions on an evaluation of six different brands of electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS. These are not tobacco products, but are designed to look and feel like regular cigarettes. They are aimed at smokers for use in places where cigarette smoking is not permitted as they don’t produce smoke. They usually consist of a battery, an atomiser, and a replaceable cartridge containing nicotine suspended in propylene glycol and water. The e-cigarettes analysed in the study were bought from online vendors and assessed on design features; the accuracy and clarity of labelling; and the quality of instruction leaflets and associated printed material either supplied with the product or available on the manufacturer’s website. The basic design of all the products was similar, but the design features varied considerably, the evaluation showed. Fluid containing nicotine readily leaked out of most cartridges while cartridge labelling was very poor, with most replacement packs lacking any indication of cartridge content, expiry date, or health warnings. Cartridges claiming to have no nicotine content looked identical to those claiming to have high nicotine content and they were indistinguishable once removed from their packs and wrappers. All brands were sold with “ambiguous amounts of nicotine,” with levels varying from 6 mg to 24 mg. Their findings prompt the authors to conclude: “Our observations provide evidence that regulators should consider removing ENDS from the market until design features, quality control, labelling, disposal and safety issues have been adequately addressed.”
(BMcN)
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Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
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Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
30 May 2014
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
More Fall Into Debt Following HMRC Overpayments
The number of issues reported to Citizens Advice of people falling into debt as a result of repaying overpaid tax credits increased by 14 per cent in the 2013/14 tax year. Tax Credit debts arise when HMRC over-estimates a person’s entitlement to financial support and ends up having to recoup overpayments.
06 April 2011
Government Tackle Tax Avoidance
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has today announced a change in legislation to prevent tax avoidance. The measure will prevent individuals from taking advantage of a tax loophole that would have emerged today had the Government not taken action.
Government Tackle Tax Avoidance
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, has today announced a change in legislation to prevent tax avoidance. The measure will prevent individuals from taking advantage of a tax loophole that would have emerged today had the Government not taken action.
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Chancellor’s film relief rules broadly welcomed
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to offset the closing of a tax loophole widely used by filmmakers with extended tax relief has been generally well received by industry bodies.
Chancellor’s film relief rules broadly welcomed
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s decision to offset the closing of a tax loophole widely used by filmmakers with extended tax relief has been generally well received by industry bodies.
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