Reduction in main rates of primary Class 1 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions
A policy paper has been issued on the reduction in main rates of primary class one and class 4 National Insurance contributions from 6 April 2024, announced in the Budget. The measure reduces the main rate of employee Class 1 National Insurance contributions from 10% to 8% and self-employed rate from 9% to 6%. There is information on the Spring Budget 2024 and in Office for Budget Responsibility documents. There is also an overview of all the tax legislation and rates and Tax Information and Impact Notes.
Research and Development Tax Reliefs – HMRC webinars
HMRC is running a series of webinars on Research and Development (R&D) Tax Reliefs to help customers understand what qualifies as R&D and how to claim correctly. Register for the first webinar on 22 March from 1.45 – 2.45 on 'Research and development for tax purposes' which what does and doesn’t qualify for tax reliefs.
RNIB says thousands of blind and partially sighted are kept waiting for vision rehabilitation
New research by RNIB shows more than a quarter (26%) of local authorities in England are keeping blind and partially sighted people waiting more than a year for a vision rehabilitation assessment; 86 per cent of local authorities in England miss the 28-day recommended deadline to explore a person’s needs. There is a petition on this issue: - rnib.in/OutOfSightA.
Get Your Blood Pressure Checked
The NHS is launching a new national campaign to find the ‘missing millions’ who have undiagnosed high blood pressure. High blood pressure, often described as a ‘silent killer’, affects an estimated 32 per cent of adults. As the condition rarely has any symptoms, approximately three in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to 4.2 million people in England.
Whooping cough infections rise
New data has been published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing a continued increase in whooping cough cases, with 553 confirmed in England in January, compared with 858 cases for the whole of 2023. The UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get protected and parents to check that their children are vaccinated.
Apply Now: QNI's Sustainability & Innovation Projects
The Queen's Nursing Institute is taking applications from healthcare providers interested in supporting nurses to lead innovation projects aimed at enhancing sustainability, promoting innovation and improving patient care in the community. The QNI is seeking expressions of interest from employers and completed applications from community nurses by 24 May 2024 for one-year projects beginning on 21 June 2024. QNI resources on sustainability.
NIHR Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC) Funding - call for applications
NIHR's Research Programme for Social Care is asking for applications for funding for research proposals that will generate evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way that adult and children’s social care is delivered for people - across all four nations of the United Kingdom - who draw on social care support and services, carers, and the public. Applications close on 26 June 26, 2024.
#DigitalForAll campaign
The Good Things Foundation is running the #DigitalForAll campaign in March 2024, which will raise awareness of digital exclusion, promote free digital inclusion services available in the UK and highlight the transformational impact digital has on people's lives.
Moving Social Work: the scheme that means what it says
A new blog Moving Social Work: the scheme that means what it says describes the Moving Social Work (MSW) programme, which aims to harness the skills and values of social workers to support the health, wellbeing and human rights of people with disabilities. Resources on the Moving Social Work website include a Social care activity pack - Get Yourself Active.
Extension of visas for Ukrainians
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative) has confirmed that existing Ukraine scheme visa holders will be able to apply for permission to extend their visa for an extral 18 months under a new scheme, due to open in early 2025 in advance of the first Ukraine scheme visas which start to expire in March 2025.
