New Kickstart Scheme
Barring any new announcements, the furlough scheme to support employers through lockdown will finish at the end of October. In the interim the Chancellor has announced two new schemes to encourage employers to take on new staff. The first of…
Tax Questions & Answers
I am an employee, but I pay my own professional subscriptions. Is there any way of claiming these costs back and reducing my tax bill? Whilst most tax matters for employees are dealt with through the PAYE system, there are…
The Prince Albert
In early 2019, Hastings-born Matt and his wife Trisala Tassell-Dawson were looking for a new challenge. But then, travelling down Queens Road one day, he spotted the ‘for sale’ sign on the front of the Prince Albert. They put an…
Starting Self-Employment
As their employers suffer in the current pandemic and the furlough scheme winds down, some employees have found themselves being made redundant. Many will look for other employment but others will take a different road, taking the opportunity to move…
‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Now Live
As the lockdown starts to ease and businesses are opening up again, some businesses are finding it harder to bounce back than others. One of the hardest hit business sectors has been food industry, with many people still nervous about…
Business support must reflect restrictions, say small firms
Responding on 31 July to a reversal of plans to allow more small firms in England to re-open in August, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chairman Mike Cherry said “Today’s announcement will come as a massive blow to thousands…
Apprenticeship Scheme Updated
Apprenticeship schemes are intended to give individuals the opportunity to combine classroom learning with a job that allows them to put that knowledge to practical use. The practice dates back to the Middle Ages, when craft guilds would take on…
What’s going On With Non-Essential Local Businesses?
By Garry James Paisley and Friends is an independent shop in Kings Road in St Leonards set up and run by Claire Paisley. They sell products that are well designed and well made. This includes unique and affordable items from…
Chalk: The new Silicon Valley?
By Sarah Cronk Chalk, a new digital community for Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes has just launched ; This new initiative has been brought to life by custom software agency Switchplane and aims to change perceptions of seaside towns in ;…
New Economic Recovery Schemes
On Wednesday 8 July, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced several schemes intended to help the UK economy recover as we come out of lockdown. Whlst we are still awaiting details on many of these schemes at time of writing, the details…