34 Business
THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 6 2017
Top dramas filmed in Wales ECONOMY SECRETARY Ken
Skates says that Wales’ bumper year of TV and film production ended on a high with news that another two exciting dramas have chosen Wales as a filming location. Journey’s End, a feature film based
on the classic play by R. C. Sherriff, is set in the trenches in 1918 and has recently completed filming at Pinewood Studios in Cardiff. It follows a small group
of soldiers as they wait for an enemy offensive and anticipate their imminent death. Te production features
a host of household names including Sam Claflin, Paul Bettany, Toby Jones and Asa Butterfield. It was adapted by Simon Reade and directed by Saul Dibb, whose previous films include Suite Francaise, Te Duchess and Bullet Boy. Meanwhile, filming of
Born to Kill, Channel 4’s intense new psychological thriller from Line of Duty producers World Productions,
is also
underway in the Welsh capital. Born to Kill stars
Romola Garrai (Te Hour, Suffragette) and Daniel Mays (Made in Dagenham, Line of Duty, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as the single parents of two out-of-control teens. It is the first commission for female writing duo Tracey Malone (Rillington Place) and first time TV writer and BIFA-
Filming brings economic benefits: Ken Skates
Sherlock and Te Collection, being filmed in Wales as a result of Welsh Government support. “Tis is no coincidence as we are working hard to attract these
nominated actress Kate Ashfield. Speaking about
the latest
productions being filmed in Wales, Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “Journey’s End and Born to Kill join an ever growing list of prestigious productions, including Will, Da Vinci’s Demons, Te Bastard Executioner,
sorts of productions to Wales and offering a comprehensive package of support including helping production companies to identify the right studios and locations and supporting them to find highly skilled, local crew. “Attracting high end drama
production to Wales brings many benefits. Not only does it generate direct and indirect
economic
benefits while filming is ongoing, it also brings interesting and fulfilling job opportunities and promotes Wales on an international stage, highlighting our stunning scenery, picturesque locations and wonderful landscapes. And, of course, all of this helps bring tourists to Wales “It is clear that our
proactive approach is paying dividends and that our reputation as a country that supports and facilitates drama production is continuing to grow. “2016 really has been
a bumper year for TV production and we look forward to more exciting productions coming to Wales in 2017.” Guy de Beaujeu,
producer of Journey’s End, said: “Filming in
Wales gave us access to a wide range of locations not previously seen in film or TV, which is always a bonus, particularly when filming period dramas.
MONEY MATTERS
By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants
OUR focus over the last few
weeks in Money Matters has been on many of the latest changes in Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first (and last) Autumn Statement. This week, it is time to look in more
detail at employment issues relating to the Autumn Statement.
NATIONAL INSURANCE THRESHOLDS:
From April 2017, the threshold above
which employer and employee NICs will become payable will be aligned at £157 per week. This is as recommended by the OTS and should simplify the payment of NICs for employers.
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE (NMW) RATES:
Following the recommendations of
the independent Low Pay Commission, the government will increase the National Living Wage from £7.20 to £7.50 from April 2017. The government will also accept their recommendations to increase the NMW rates from April 2017 for: • 21 to 24 year olds from £6.95 to £7.05 per hour
• 18 to 20 year olds from £5.55 to £5.60 per hour
• 16 to 17 year olds from £4.00 to £4.05 per hour
• Apprentices from £3.40 to £3.50 per hour.
• The NMW rates were last increased in October 2016 The government has also announced
that they will invest an additional £4.3 million per year to strengthen NMW enforcement. This will fund new HMRC teams to
review those employers considered most at risk of non-compliance with the NMW. Other measures will provide additional support targeted at small businesses to help them comply and a campaign to raise awareness amongst workers and employers of their rights and responsibilities.
LEGAL SUPPORT: From April 2017, all employees called
to give evidence in court will no longer need to pay tax on legal support from their employer. This should help support all employees and ensure fairness in the tax system. Currently, only those requiring legal support because of allegations against them can use the tax relief. • Forms of remuneration review - Employers can choose to remunerate their employees in a range of different ways in addition to a cash salary. The tax system treats these different forms of remuneration inconsistently and the government will therefore consider how the system could be made fairer between workers carrying out the same work under different arrangements. The review will look specifically at how the taxation of benefits in kind and expenses could be made fairer and more coherent. The government will
take the following action:
• Salary Sacrifice - The tax and employer NICs advantage of salary sacrifice schemes will be removed from April 2017. This change will not apply to arrangements relating to pensions, childcare, Cycle to Work and ultra- low emission cars. This means that employees who exchange salary for benefits will pay the same tax as individuals who buy them out of their post-tax income.
• Arrangements in place before April 2017 will be protected until April 2018, and arrangements for cars, accommodation and school fees will be protected until April 2021.
• Valuation of benefits in kind - The government will consider how benefits in kind are valued for tax purposes, publishing a consultation on employer- provided living accommodation and a call for evidence on the valuation of all other benefits in kind at Budget 2017.
• Employee expenses - The government will publish a call for evidence at Budget 2017 on the use of the income tax relief for employees’ business expenses, including those that are not reimbursed by their employer.
• Employer provided cars - The scale of charges for working out the taxable benefit for an employee who has use of an employer provided car are now announced well in advance. Most cars are taxed by reference to bands of CO2emissions. There is a 3% diesel supplement. The maximum charge is capped at 37% of the list price of the car. From April 6, 2017 there will be a 2%
increase in the percentage applied by each band with a similar increase in 2018/19. For 2019/20 the rate will increase by a further 3%.
From April 6, 2017 the appropriate
percentage for cars which have neither a CO2 emissions figure nor an engine cylinder capacity, and which cannot produce CO2 emissions in any circumstances by being driven, will be set at 9%. From April 6, 2018, this will be increased to 13% and from April 6, 2019 to 16%. For 2020/21, new lower bands will
be introduced for the lowest emitting cars whilst the appropriate percentage for cars emitting greater than 90 g/km will rise by one percentage point. You can find out more about the
Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on our website –
www.clayshawbutler.com/news/ autumn-statement. We have a strong and experienced team
with great local knowledge all geared-up to helping you get the very best from your finances – whether that is as an individual or as a business. We stay ahead of the game by putting
great store by continual professional development for our staff. With Investors In People status at Clay
Shaw Butler, we care passionately about making sure our staff have all the tools they need to serve you, our customers. For more information, visit www.
clayshawbutler.com, call 01267 228500 or find the team on Twitter at @ ClayShawButler.
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