Grant McKnight Blog

Social care tax hike heaps further pressure on business  The government’s tax hike to fund social care reforms is short-sighted given the challenges already facing firms, business leaders said today. A new UK-wide 1.25 per cent health and social care levy will be introduced from April 2022, based on national insurance contributions. The government says the move will generate £36bn towards social care reforms over the next three years in “the biggest catch-up programme in the NHS’ history.” The levy will be paid by working adults, including people over the state pension age - unlike normal national insurance, which is not paid by pensioners.  Initially, national insurance contributions rates will go up by 1.25 per cent. But from April 2023, once tax systems have been updated, the levy will be separated, so that it appear separately on pay slips. At this point working adults above state pension age will start contributing. The government will also increase the rates of dividend ...

Employees fearful about return to work - survey More than half of the UK’s workforce is not ready to return to work - with many being anxious or deeply concerned, according to a new survey. In a new report by workplace wellbeing specialists, BHSF, 45 per vent described their feelings about the return to work negatively. Only five per cent of employers have put in extra employee support services for those returning to a more normal work pattern. Challenges facing businesses are compounded by the fact that not all staff are comfortable raising health concerns with their line managers. Almost one-third (30 per cent) confirmed they would not feel comfortable discussing any mental health, physical health, grief or financial concerns with their line manager. When looking at concerns where workers are comfortable disclosing with their line managers, the reading is equally alarming. Only 41 per cent said they would discuss mental health concerns with their manager, while even fewer would discu...

Closed businesses are in line for grants of up to £9,000 in the latest effort to keep companies afloat  through another lockdown.   Mr Sunak has revealed new measures totalling £4.6bn to help struggling firms after lockdowns were announced in England and Scotland yesterday.   The latest support package also includes a £594m discretionary fund for other businesses that might be affected, an additional £1.1 billion in discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and extension of furlough scheme.   The announcement comes after Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, supported by more than 50 regional stakeholders and business leaders, wrote to the Chancellor urging him to provide enhanced grant support for impacted businesses (find out more  here ).   Paul Faulkner  (pictured) , chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are relieved that the Chancellor has answe...

  Shortlist revealed for regional Chambers awards Twenty-six businesses and individuals have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual awards. Five awards will be presented at the event, being live streamed from Chamber House in Edgbaston on 28 January 2021. In addition to the accolades, Sutton Coldfield Chamber president Phil Arkinstall, Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber president Jason Challoner and Cannock Chase Chamber president Gill Durkin will each present their own President’s Awards. The Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber President’s Award is sponsored by Inspired Energy and the Cannock Chase Chamber President’s Award will be presented in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub. Retail giant Amazon has also been confirmed as headline sponsor of the awards.  To view more sponsorship opportunities, or to register a place at the awards, click  here Asian Business Chamber of Commerce...

Birmingham businesses can now apply for the latest round of Covid grants. The grants, available from Birmingham City Council, are for those severely impacted or required to close due to Covid measures before and during lockdown in November, alongside sector specific support for nightclubs and adult entertainment venues. In order to apply, businesses will need to create a BRUM Account ( click here ), which helps Birmingham City Council to speed up processing of applications and payment of future grants under the new three-tier system. It will also give businesses access to services (such as their business rate account) online.   To access the grants businesses complete one short form, find out more and apply  here . The grants available for businesses based in the Birmingham City Council area include: Grants worth between £984 per 28 days to £2,100 per 28 days for businesses in the hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure sectors affected by the Tier two local restrict...

  Keeping businesses connected through Covid crisis As businesses grapple with ever-changing conditions imposed by the Covid-19, networking group Sutton Coldfield Business Connections is calling for the business community to come together in a bid to survive the crisis. The free networking group, run by Michelle Stammers in partnership with Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, meets at the Townhouse Hotel and Bar every two months and connects around 80 businesses. With face-to-face networking on the backburner for the foreseeable future, Sutton Business Connections is creating a virtual community for its 250 members to bring businesses back together. While Michelle is keen to get everyone back together as soon as possible, she’s eager to address the need to connect right now. She said: "We can’t wait to be able to meet up in person, but in the meantime we want to reconnect Sutton businesses so we can help each other recover from the Covid crisis.” Chartered accountants and busine...

Sutton accountant scoops Future Faces award A chartered accountant from Sutton Coldfield firm Grant McKnight has been crowned the Future Face of Finance at the Future Faces Awards. Jo Drinkwater (pictured) claimed the award at last Friday’s online ceremony, which was beamed from Chamber House in Edgbaston. It was one of 10 sector awards to be announced on the night, while disability rights activist Shani Dhanda was crowned the overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham. Jo was also this week appointed to the Sutton Coldfield Chamber's executive committee. Chris Brewerton, head of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Sutton business community is delighted for Joanna on her win at the Future Faces Awards. “Professional services form an important part of the local economy, especially the finance sector, and it’s great that Jo is leading the way, not only in Sutton but across Greater Birmingham. “It’s been an exciting journey for her since starting at Grant McKnight and ...

  Royal Town's Chamber elects new president 02 September 2020 Phil Arkinstall will today become the third president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce. The managing director of video production firm Ark Media is to be confirmed as successor to Katie Hale at the Chamber’s annual general meeting. Katie, who has served as president for the past two years, during which time she launched her EcoPledge sustainability initiative, will become the Chamber’s honorary chair. Phil, who was born and raised in the Royal Town, said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce and I am looking forward to getting started in the role and work with the fabulous business community we have here in Royal Sutton Coldfield.  “I would like to pay tribute to our previous president Katie Hale for doing a fantastic job over the last two years, particularly her work in setting up the successful EcoPledge which has been adopted by a number of o...

Eating out scheme starts today 13 July 2020 From today businesses can register for the Government’s “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme. Under the scheme, announced by the Chancellor in his Economic Statement, diners receiving a government-backed discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat in at participating venues. It will be available Mondays to Wednesdays from 3 to 31 August 2020. Diners will receive a 50 per cent discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, with the venue able to claim back to money from the Government. To participate, firms must sell food for immediate consumption on the premises and have been registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July. Find out more and register  here . Henrietta Brealey  (pictured) , director of policy and strategic relationships said: “It is a novel policy but we are looking forward to seeing the results. The hospitality industry is traditionally busiest just before and during the weekend and und...

Firms urged to move fast on ‘discretionary’ grants 01 June 2020 Businesses who may be eligible for the Government’s new Discretionary Business Grant scheme are being urged to act fast. The scheme is aimed at businesses and charities that did not qualify for existing coronavirus small business grant schemes, such as those in flexible working space which do not have their own business rates assessment or those receiving charitable business rates relief. The deadline to apply to East Staffordshire Borough and Solihull Metropolitan Borough councils is this Sunday, while the deadline for Birmingham City Council is Sunday 14 June. The scheme is also expected to go live for firms in Lichfield and Tamworth, Stafford and Cannock Chase later this week, with more details to be published on local authority websites shortly. There are three levels of grant available - £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000. Each local authority has some discretion over how they administer the scheme. As a res...

Business demands clear timelines on reopening 26 May 2020 Businesses need clearer timelines from Government to be able to prepare for re-opening, business leaders said today. It follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that all non-essential retailers can open their doors from 15 June, with car showrooms and outdoor markets given the green light to re-open from 1 June. Retailers will be required to follow Government guidance aimed at making their workplaces ‘Covid-19 secure’ - click  here  for more information. While clarity on timeframes has been welcomed in some quarters, many retailers have been left frustrated after working towards the 1 June re-opening date that was initially mooted by Mr Johnson in his briefing on 10 May. Last week, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce backed  calls from retail industry leader Tony Elvin , general manager of Touchwood in Solihull and vice-president of Solihull Chamber for clarity on the Government's plans for reopening...