Topps Tiles, which is the largest tile specialist in the UK, purchased 30 CTD Tiles stores as part of a deal after CTD entered administration in August 2024. CTD was previously the second largest specialist tile retailer in the UK, so this was a sizeable acquisition for the tile world.
While numbers don’t lie, it’s well known that they can be manipulated to fit a story. Can you tell when it’s happening? The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are running a webinar that they describe as eye-opening and will do a deep dive into the world of statistical misuse.
We have now concluded a week of apprenticeship celebrations as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025 and what a positive and inspirational week we had! Our People and Culture Manager Rachel Hughes attended the Apprenticeship and Skills Panel Breakfast hosted by Keele Gateway.
Conventional approaches to work and earning an income are changing and with the cost of living ever rising, many now use various ways to make some extra cash outside of their main job. If that’s true of you then you may wonder whether you need to pay tax on those earnings. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have launched a new campaign aimed at demystifying whether you need to tell them about your side hustle earnings so you can avoid any nasty surprises.
The Department for Education have released details of additional flexibility coming to apprenticeships. When adult learners over the age of 19 start their apprenticeship course, businesses will now be able to decide whether they need to complete a level 2 English and Maths qualification (equivalent to a GCSE) in order to pass the course.
The government announced major plans last week to modernise the house buying and selling process. The reforms centre on digitalising and making property and identity data available electronically. This will allow mortgage companies and surveyors to have information within easy reach. It is thought that these changes will help to avoid surprises being encountered late in the process, with the waste of time and money that goes with that.
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make headlines as businesses work out how to make effective use of it. The government is continuing to push for growth in the AI industry. Last week, it opened bidding so that local authorities can submit proposals to become the next AI Growth Zone. It expects thousands of jobs to be created as a result and that it could rejuvenate local communities in various parts of the UK.
Following a consultation in 2024, the fees payable by data controllers to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will be increased by 29.8%. There is a £5 discount for direct debit payments and any organisations that are currently exempt from paying the fee will continue to be exempt.
Following the reduction in the Bank of England base rate, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have confirmed that their interest rates will be reduced accordingly.
Late payment interest will reduce to 7% from 7.25%. Repayment interest – paid on tax repayments – will be reduced to 3.5%.
The UK government has intensified its crackdown on illegal working, with January 2025 seeing record enforcement activity. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced these efforts as the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill returned to Parliament last week.
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