HMRC to contact sole traders about Making Tax Digital
From April 2025, HMRC will start contacting sole traders and landlords who may need to comply with making tax digital (MTD) for income tax. From April 2026, MTD for income tax will be introduced for individuals with annual self-employment and/or property income exceeding £50,000. Those with an annual turnover exceeding £30,000 must comply from April 2027.
Read more about MTD for income tax here
Funding for cultural organisations
Hundreds of arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings will receive a share of funding worth more than £270 million. The funding will be provided under the Government's Arts Everywhere Fund and will be awarded to organisations in urgent need of financial support to keep them up and running.
Read more about the fund here
Expansion of skills and training programme
The Government has confirmed that Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) will be expanded and will provide 100,000 more places over the next financial year. The programmes offer participants in England and Scotland who are receiving certain benefits the opportunity of training towards a job in a particular industry, alongside a work placement and a guaranteed interview.
Read more about the programme here
New era begins for public sector procurement
A major public sector reform milestone has now been reached as the Procurement Act 2023 comes into force.
The new regime applies to all public sector organisations and will speed up and simplify procurement processes - where approximately £385billion is spent each year on essential goods and services - making it easier for suppliers to bid for contracts and buying decisions more transparent for the public
The new Act gives a range of benefits, including:
Below are some resources that could be of support to you to learn and understand about the new Act.
Procurement Act 2023: short guides - GOV.UK
Information and guidance for suppliers - GOV.UK
The Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops - GOV.UK
Workplace Health Checks in Cumbria Boost Wellbeing and Productivity
Employers in Cumbria are reporting improved employee wellbeing and heightened morale following the introduction of workplace health checks. This initiative, designed to support proactive health management, has seen a surge in participation across the county.
Cumbria Health working in partnership with Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council and commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care have been delivering workplace health checks since the middle of October and have already undertaken 2,000 health checks with a target of 9,000 to be achieved by the end of March 2025.
Businesses across Cumbria are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, we are especially keen to engage with those within the agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining and maintenance sectors.
For more information or to schedule workplace health checks, visit Cumbria Health | Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Services in Cumbria or contact ch.healthchecks@cumbriahealth.nhs.uk
Thinking about an apprenticeship?
Westmorland and Furness Council launched its search for 35 new apprentices, providing a fantastic opportunity for individuals to kickstart their careers in local government.
The apprenticeships span a wide range of roles, including Project Management, Highways and Engineering, Finance and Accountancy, Business Administration, Digital and Data, Health and Social Care, Catering and more – with opportunities from Level 2 to Level 6 (degree-level).
The application window will close at midnight on Sunday 16 March. Applications can be submitted online at careers.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/apprenticeships.
Many successful applicants go on to secure permanent roles with the council, building rewarding and long-term careers in local government.
Tax guidance for side hustles
HMRC has published guidance to help people earning extra income understand any tax obligations. The guidance covers side hustles, renting out property, making items to sell and having multiple jobs. According to HMRC, 65% of people with side hustles are unaware that they should be registered for tax.
Read more about the guidance here
New tax return requirements
Taxpayers may need to provide more information in their 2025/26 self-assessment tax returns due to new mandatory requirements being introduced. For example, sole traders and directors who start or cease to trade will have to provide dates of commencement/cessation. The Government estimates that the measures will have an impact on approximately 1.2 million sole traders and 900,000 directors.
Read more about the requirements here
Water Hub
The Environment Agency have released a ‘Water Hub’ which makes all their publicly available information and evidence relating to the water environment easy to access from one website. It’s a useful one-stop-shop for all things water related, such as regulation, enforcement and planning.
You can visit the Hub here
Changes to apprenticeships
The Government has announced plans to give employers more flexibility over maths and English requirements when taking on apprentices. From August 2025, employers will be able to decide whether learners over the age of 19 will need to complete a Level 2 English and maths qualification to pass their apprenticeship course. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship will also be reduced to 8 months, down from the current minimum of 12 months.
Read more about the changes here
Direct marketing compliance tool
The ICO has launched a free online tool to help organisations ensure that their direct marketing activities comply with UK privacy and data protection law. The direct marketing advice generator will provide small organisations with reliable compliance advice tailored to their own direct marketing activities. The tool covers email, SMS, direct mail, social media and telemarketing.
Read more about the tool here
Free business resources at your fingertips
Using the Chamber’s Business Resource Centre you can discover the tools, resources and advice you need to start and grow your business – from your initial business planning to effective sales and marketing, finance and tax management to IT solutions – the Resource Centre is by your side on your journey to success.
The service is available for all businesses to use - you can access the Business Resource Centre by clicking here
CITB ATO- Fully Funded Training for Construction Companies
Are you a CITB Member?
Chamber Member, InPD have become a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) which means they can offer 100% fully funded training for CITB Members.
Skills and Training fund for medium-sized businesses - CITB
Leadership and Management Development Fund for large businesses 2024 - CITB
For more information contact M.Johnson@inpd.co.uk and use CITB in the subject line of the email
Find a Tender Service
Businesses are being urged to check out government advice on its new Find a Tender Service, being introduced as part of the changes enacted by the Procurement Act 2023. From 24th February 2025, suppliers can register on the central digital platform as part of the enhanced Find a Tender service. To help businesses get ready, the government has published ‘Get Ready’ video guides and PDF user manuals covering platform navigation, registration steps, and key requirements. You can access the videos and find more information by visiting the government’s website Information and guidance for suppliers - GOV.UK.
Armstrong Watson's salary forecasting tool
How much will your salary bill increase from April 2025 as a result of the changes annoucned in the 2024 Autumn Budget? Find out using Armstong Watson's free forecasting tool here.
