04.03.20
Health and safety update
Coronavirus is having an impact on many industries. But what should UK businesses be doing to ensure they comply with health and safety obligations to employees and members of the public?
Employers' duties
Given the media coverage of the virus, it would be fair to conclude that most employers in the UK are fixed with knowledge of the issue. The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed that it is working closely with government bodies to provide support when it’s needed, including technical advice on the protection of workers, but no official guidance has yet been issued. ...
03.03.20
Construction update
A recent report issued by The Confederation of British Industry looks at the reasons why the average margins of the largest construction firms are 'in the red' and why construction is one of the hardest hit sectors when it comes to insolvency.
CBI suggests "intelligent procurement" is imperative, with multiple stage procurement routes, such as two stage tendering, being advocated as a means of managing cost risks in construction projects and putting contractors back on a stable footing.
The report recommends that the use of single stage procurement should be discouraged...
02.03.20
Construction update
Insolvency in the construction industry is not just isolated to contractors, sub-contractors and consultants. Industry and economic pressures can affect all parties, including at times employers, therefore it is equally important for contractors to carry out due diligence when bidding for projects and to consider contractual mechanisms that can be put in place to protect against non-payment by the employer and insolvency risks.
Contractors should be especially alive to such concerns where projects are of a complex nature and significant value, requiring substantial upfront cost and...
28.02.20
Pensions
Regulations were laid before Parliament in January 2020 which require intermediaries and, in some cases, taxpayers, to report details of cross border tax arrangements to HMRC.
The International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020 (the "Regulations") implement EU Council Directive 2018/822 (which amends EU Council Directive 2011/16) and take effect from 1 July 2020 (but arrangements entered into from June 2018 will also have to be reported). Reports will have to be made within 30 days of certain trigger points.
The UK is obliged to implement the Directive during...
