Johnson Murkett & Hurst

• EXTRA TAKE HOME PAY
  For many employed individuals who are checking their payslip this month it should include a welcome bonus of a £60 reduction in their income tax deduction. The reason for this is the increase in the personal allowance which finally took effect for paydays from 7 September. Don’t expect the bonus each month as the effect for October...........read more

• CBI FORECAST
  A CBI forecast has predicted a ‘shallow recession’ during the final part of 2008 and that growth in the economy in 2009 will be the lowest since 1992. The CBI’s latest economic forecast has revised its growth predictions for 2008 and 2009 due to the sharper than expected slowdown over the first half of this year............read more

• TEMPORARY EXEMPTION ON STAMP DUTY LAND TAX
  In a move to help the property market and first time buyers, Alistair Darling has introduced a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) exemption or holiday for purchases of residential property from 3 September 2008 to 2 September 2009 (inclusive). The exemption effectively raises the current nil rate band of £125,000..........read more

• FAKE HMRC EMAILS
  HMRC are warning taxpayers that they are aware of a high number of emails being sent out offering a tax rebate. The warning confirms that HMRC do not email taxpayers advising them of tax rebates or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate.The advice goes on to say that anyone receiving...........read more

• CHANGE TO BENEFITS SYSTEM
  From 27 October 2008, in a change to the benefits system, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will replace the current state benefits (Incapacity Benefit and Income Support) which are paid to individuals on incapacity grounds. The new ESA will initially only be payable to new claimants............read more

• NMW RATES TO RISE
  National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are set to rise from 1 October 2008. The increased rates will be as follows..........read more

• HSE DON’T BAN THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are keen to dispel the myth that they are responsible for banning ‘this, that and the other’. They claim that there have been many reports of HSE and health and safety law, being responsible for banning all sorts of things including flip flops, knitting in hospitals, school sports days and even cuddly..........read more

• PROPOSED STRICT NEW JOBS LIST
  The UK Border Agency is proposing to introduce a new list of shortage jobs in order to better target migration at the needs of British businesses. The proposed list would reinforce the selective approach of the new points based system. The recommended shortage occupation list is designed to introduce a larger.............read more

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