Economic survey results released today (11 April) by the North East Chamber of Commerce show a picture of cautious optimism among the region’s businesses, with key indicators improving after a challenging Q4. However, the outlook is being clouded by growing concern about the impact of new US tariffs, which couldContinue Reading
Officers are urging the public to remain vigilant after three suspected parcel fraudsters have been arrested across the region after victims lose almost £20k. On Friday (March 28), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) arrested a 23-year-old man in Newcastle believed to be linked to postalContinue Reading
The BBC issued nearly 41 million enforcement letters between 2023 and 2024, marking a sharp increase of four million compared to the previous year, as figures reveal a decline in licence fee revenue. These letters, often criticised for causing distress, warn recipients that not having a TV licence could beContinue Reading
A company which claimed to sell adult films has been shut down following concerns it was being used as a direct debit scam. Drawntear Limited was wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in Manchester on Wednesday 12 February. The company, which said it was based in Hull beforeContinue Reading
From 1 April 2025, registered keepers of electric, zero or low emission cars, vans and motorcycles will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as registered keepers of petrol and diesel vehicles. This change will apply to both new and existing vehicles. This new measure removes band AContinue Reading
The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduceContinue Reading
From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics. Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reductionContinue Reading
· HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign launched to support people earning extra income to understand any tax obligations As Valentine’s Day approaches, anyone who has turned the love for their hobby into a side hustle is being encouraged to put a ring on it and makeContinue Reading
UK businesses are, for the first time, being invited to have their say on the government’s electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) proposals. E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyers and suppliers. It could help businesses get their tax right first time, reduce invoicing and data errors, improve theContinue Reading
A 23-year-old loan shark who preyed on vulnerable customers, charging ‘crippling interest’ and threatening them when they couldn’t pay has today been given a suspended jail sentence. Hakeem Suleman, of Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough, admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between October 2019 and May 2023, when he was arrestedContinue Reading
