The Local Government Association has unveiled plans by a number of local authorities across the UK to charge employees to park their cars at work. This is something which was suggested a couple of years ago as a means of cutting down on inner-city traffic but it now seems as though many local councils are looking to introduce new income streams in this manner rather than focusing upon the help to the environment. So what will the UK government advise?
So far this year, as a direct consequence of government budget cuts, the number of public sector service suppliers going under has increased by 50%. It is expected that this rate will rise in the short to medium term as the full consequence of the government's recent budget changes and tax increases come into effect.
John Prescott has opened something of a controversial debate with his comments regarding the precarious financial situation in which the Labour Party finds itself. The party is in debt to the tune of £20 million and there are now growing calls for UK taxpayers to fund political parties in the future thereby casting aside the need for wealthy donations from individuals, associations and companies. So should UK taxpayers fund the political arena?
John Prescott, soon to take over the role of the Labour Party treasurer, has this weekend spoken out about the dire situation in which the Labour Party finds itself at the moment. He believes that the party is on the verge of "bankruptcy" if it does not find a short-term solution to a £20 million debt. He is of the opinion that the party must adapt to the new era of party political campaigning and refrain from the excessive spending seen in the past.
HM Revenue and Customs has recently issued a number of specific warnings in areas of the UK regarding fraudsters who are impersonating HM Revenue and Customs personnel in order to obtain private confidential information. A number of fraudsters have been attempting to obtain bank details by requesting "confirmation of identification" over the telephone and using this information to empty bank accounts.
Despite the fact that Gordon Brown was ridiculed by many politicians in the UK, Europe and around the world, he would appear to have had the last laugh in relation to HM Revenue and Customs and its vastly improved performance of late. Such has been the increase in tax avoidance and tax evasion convictions in the UK that the coalition government has today announced a softer approach from tax inspectors in the short to medium term.
HM Revenue and Customs has surprised many in the marketplace by suggesting that tax investigators will take a "softer" approach to various tax disputes in the future. It is believed that a massive, and growing, backlog of legal action by HM Revenue and Customs is behind the new softer approach. So what does this mean for businesses and consumers?
Public-sector borrowings for July were less than expected as the UK government benefited from an increase in corporation tax receipts. The net borrowing figure for July came in at £3.8 billion against a forecast of £5.25 billion and compares favourably to the £6.1 billion of net borrowings in the same month last year. So what does this mean for the UK government?
As we look back upon the coalition government's first 100 days in office there are mixed views as to the success of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government. While there is no doubt that David Cameron in particular has hit the ground running with regards to budget reductions, tax rises and a tackling of the UK sovereign debt situation, the news surrounding the benefits system is not quite as upbeat.
The UK tax authorities are today reaping the rewards of a more focused approach to investigations into individual taxation setups. The authorities have increased the number or "aspect inquiries" over recent months into wealthy individuals and this new targeted approach has seen more conviction rates, more funds returned to the UK tax authorities and a greater awareness of potential tax "evasion or avoidance" schemes.
