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Practice News
DPC Accountants wins Employer of the Year award!
We’re delighted to have been named Employer of the Year at the Newcastle and Staffordshire College Group (NSCG) annual awards on the 11th of June.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
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.
NSCG welcome DPC staff to address their students
Sharing their experiences of working for the Stoke-on-Trent business who were recently awarded ‘SME Employer of the Year Regional Finalist’ in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards, Rachel and Nathan helped the group to focus on the progression opportunities available to them within this in-demand profession.
Blogs and Articles
New legislation aims to drive building boom
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill was introduced to Parliament last week. The legislation is being heralded as bringing transformative reforms to the UK building sector that will boost homebuilding and remove obstacles to needed infrastructure.
Your voice could be your password
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have plans to use a callers voice as their password in an effort to speed up phone calls. In systems that are being used by banks, a customer’s voice recording is turned into encrypted biometric data, which is then used when they call to clear security checks. HMRC are planning to trial a system like this.
Are you bamboozled by new technology? Bite-size guides could help
New technology continues to progress at a fast rate. It can be difficult to keep up or see the opportunities for your business. Some new bite-sized introductions have been published by the Government Office for Science that may help.
Safe working with screens: What employers need to know
The Health and Safety Executive are reminding employers about their responsibilities to protect workers from the health risks that come from working with display screen equipment (DSE), including PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to any worker that uses DSE on a daily basis for continuous periods of an hour or more.
New import bans following foot and mouth case
Following a confirmed case of foot and mouth disease at a cattle farm in Hungary’s north-west, new import bans have been announced. The commercial import from Hungary and Slovakia of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other non-domestic ruminants and porcines such as deer and their untreated products, such as fresh meat and dairy, are now banned.
Latest statistics from ACAS: Employers proactive about finding information
In their latest blog, ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) revealed some insights from their latest helpline and early conciliation data. They report that the demand for their services continues to trend up. Their helpline service handled around 158,500 calls in the final quarter of 2024, which is an increase of 11% on the previous quarter. Web traffic has also increased significantly: up by nearly 20% on the previous year.
Funding announced for ‘exporting’ UK music acts
The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) will be using their latest round of funding totalling £1.6 million to help support 58 UK artists to tour the world. The funding will help small and medium sized music companies with their marketing and promotion campaigns for their artists touring abroad. The aim is to attract new fans, overseas touring opportunities and revenue.
Red tape to be cut for payments systems
The government has announced plans to lay legislation that will end the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). The PSR currently looks after payment systems such as Faster Payments and Mastercard. However, its role will be consolidated into the Financial Conduct Authority.
Spring Statement news: Public spending cuts likely
News reported last week said that the Chancellor has put together draft plans for spending cuts to welfare and other government departments. At the time of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that there was a £9.9 billion buffer available against the Chancellor’s own self-imposed borrowing rules.
Public Procurement Act to give more opportunities to small businesses
The Public Procurement Act 2023, originally set for implementation on 28 October 2024, has now officially come into force. This legislation introduces new rules designed to make it easier for smaller businesses to compete for and win public sector contracts.
Plug-in van grant extended for another year
The Future of Roads Minister, Lillian Greenwood, has confirmed that the plug-in van grant will be extended for another year. The plug-in grant means that businesses can obtain grants of up to £2,500 when buying an eligible small van up to 2.5 tonnes and up to £5,000 for an eligible larger van up to 4.25 tonnes.
New contract agreed for GPs
A new deal for GPs has been agreed between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA). Proposed reforms that were accepted by the BMA include an overall funding uplift of £889 million for the 2025/26 GMS contract. This represents a 7.2% boost to the contract, which is higher than the increase to the NHS budget as a whole.
Boost for rural businesses: Government announces £38 million investment
The UK government has announced a major funding boost for rural areas, with up to £38 million allocated to support infrastructure, essential services, and business growth in the countryside. The aim is that the funding will help to create jobs and drive economic growth while improving quality of life for rural communities.
Farming reforms to boost profitability
The government has announced its plans for new policies that it expects will make farming more profitable. Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “The underlying problem is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in.” He went on to say that his focus “is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable.”
Health and Safety: Lessons from Tamworth Snowdome
A tragic incident at the Tamworth Snowdome has highlighted the critical need for businesses to properly assess and manage health and safety risks. Twelve-year-old Louis Watkiss tragically lost his life during a tobogganing birthday party at the indoor skiing venue on 24 September 2021.
Guidance on maintaining secure networks
The National Cyber Security Centre have published new guidance for organisations on network security fundamentals. Using networks has become fundamental to many businesses, ensuring they continue to operate and stay secure.
Investment in sustainable packaging firm
Pulpex, a sustainable packaging company, has received £43.5 million from the National Wealth Fund in exchange for an equity share of the business. The Scottish National Investment Bank is also investing £10 million with a further £8.5 million coming from existing investors. This investment will help Pulpex build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow. You might wonder why there is so much interest in Pulpex!
Pressure on chancellor despite government surplus
The latest figures show that the government had a surplus of £15.4 billion in January. This represents the difference between the tax it receives and what it spends.
Although this is the highest level of surplus for a January since records began over 30 years ago, it is lower than the £20.5 billion that was forecast.
