Local business owners should prepare for pensions spot checks
Local business owners should prepare for spot checks on their staff pension schemes a local tax specialist has warned. Russell Charles who owns TaxAssist Accountants in Cardiff said: “Spot checks are being carried out across the country by the Pensions Regulator to ensure that employers are complying with the new rules on workplace pensions. “Local business owners need to prepare for the short- notice inspections, which will check whether they are automatically enrolling qualifying staff in a company pension scheme and contributing to their pension pot. Every month, the Regulator is announcing a clampdown on new towns and cities, with spot checks already carried out in London, the North West, Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland. “We’re advising many local businesses, which have now received notices from the Pensions Regulator giving the date from which they must comply with automatic enrolment. Many have planned well in advance and have fully compliant pension schemes up and running already. “But for those employers who are yet to comply with the new rules, there is the prospect of a £400 fixed penalty escalating to daily fines set at a minimum of £50 per day. Those fines increase to £500 per day if they have over five employees and can reach a maximum of £10,000 per day if they have 500 or more employees, with the possibility of civil penalties and court action.” In the first three months of 2017, the Pensions Regulator issued more than four thousand fixed penalty notices and over a thousand escalating penalty notices. Some 200,000 employers per quarter will be reaching their staging date for workplace pension schemes this year. TaxAssist Accountants Cardiff is a local business, operating across Cardiff, providing tax and accountancy advice and services purely to small businesses.
1 in 4 UK Motorists Unwittingly Break the Law When Driving Abroad
According to the latest research from European roadside assistance expert Allianz Global Assistance, 77% of UK motorists surveyed have driven in France without a breathalyser in the car, unwittingly breaking the law because it is a legal requirement in that country. As such, they are encouraging motorists who plan on driving abroad to read their guide to European driving before travelling. In addition, 25% confirmed that they have driven abroad without a full valid driving licence. This could see UK motorists landed with a hefty fine if stopped by police while driving on foreign roads. Allianz Global Assistance is urging UK motorists to be aware of the items they are expected to carry in the vehicle or on their person when driving in Europe, to stay on the right side of the law. When asked about the legal requirements for driving abroad, 42% did not take proof of ID with them. Only 48% travelled with a GB sticker, even though it is a legal requirement and just 36% took reflective jackets which are required in the event of a
breakdown in many countries. Additionally, one in four people don’t realise that having proof of vehicle insurance is a requirement when driving abroad. Rob Lunt, Head of Operations at Allianz Worldwide Partners in the UK comments, “It’s clear from our survey that many UK motorists are driving illegally abroad probably because they simply don’t know the legal requirements of the country they are driving in. Unfortunately, not knowing the law can’t be used as an excuse when UK motorists are stopped by police in another country. Being caught could see motorists
dealing with a fine, which puts an unpleasant spin on any holiday. We urge holidaymakers planning to drive in Europe or further afield to make sure they familiarise themselves with the driving laws of the country they are visiting. Our advice is don’t take the risk, check before you hit the road and use our handy check list when preparing to drive in Europe. Available online at
www.allianz-
assistance.co.uk, the Bronze, Silver and Gold packages – and Gold Plus for Continental Europe cover - offer consumers various levels of peace of mind, depending on their motoring needs.
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24 - Friday 1st September 2017 – Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser
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