Business

purbeckgazette.co.uk Championing the work talents of all

EFFORTS to help more young people with disabilities or special educational needs to find work in Dorset have taken a major step forward with the launch of a dedicated one-year programme.

Dorset Careers Hub has convened a range of businesses, education providers, local authority organisations and other partners on the Removing Barriers initiative.

Its aim is to raise the number of locally-based employers who are confident about taking on and supporting young people aged 16 to 19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Around 150 employers registered in the Dorset and BCP council areas are already in the government’s Disability Confident scheme but only three are in the top ‘Leader’ tier and seen as making a truly positive difference to diversity and inclusivity.

Removing Barriers is designed to increase the number of Disability Confident ‘Leaders’ to at least ten, creating job opportunities for around 20 young people with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), the national body for careers education, has awarded government funding to Dorset Careers Hub to lead and deliver Removing Barriers.

The Hub, jointly funded by Dorset LEP and CEC, has appointed Andrew Holland of consultancy sendme2work.com as project manager.

Andrew said: “We want to change mindsets and encourage more employers to come forward and take the lead to attract, recruit and champion disabled talent.

“We will be running a series of events to reach out to employers and will provide training, mentoring and coaching.

“Employers should know there are grants available from the Department for Work and Pensions that can help when you take on and retain people with disabilities and special education needs.

“Help includes financial support from the Access to Work scheme to help with travel-to-work arrangements.”

Chelsey, an apprentice in business administration at the Bournemouth disability charity SAMEE – one of the three Disability Confident leader employers in Dorset - spoke of how the opportunity to start a supported internship two years ago had changed her life.

“It really helped me with my confidence,” she said. “Sometimes because of my autism, I get really anxious about new things and places, but everyone at SAMEE made me feel really safe and secure.

“My manager always gave me extra time with every job I had to do which meant that I wasn’t rushed, and they always made sure that the workplace was quiet and calm around me which made me feeI really relaxed.

“Everything they did for me meant I could concentrate on doing my best work, and I was really excited when they offered me my first ever paid job as their official Business Administration Apprentice.”

The launch of Removing Barriers comes at a time of acute skills shortages in many industry sectors.

And the scheme’s backers point to recent research by the Department for Work and Pensions showing that 73% of employers who make workrelated adjustments to accommodate disabled staff say it is easy to do so.

Rebecca Phillips, Strategic Lead at Dorset Careers Hub, said: “Removing Barriers is all about encouraging Dorset’s SMEs and larger companies to come on board and help level up opportunities so all young people can fulfil their potential.

“There are many national employers operating in Dorset who are Disability Confident but we want to reach those firms actually based here who are keen to play their part too.

“The guidance offered through the programme should encourage companies to set aside any previous concerns and take the plunge, knowing there is someone by their side throughout.

“Our focus is on young people with an EHCP who want to work but need to address and overcome challenges to find a position.

“From the employer point of view, there is huge value in cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone matters, yet nationally only 5.9 per cent of adults with a disability are in paid employment.

“More than six out of ten say they would like to work but there are too many challenges in their way. As its name indicates, Removing Barriers aims to change this. Success means we will truly transform people’s lives.

“And employers should know that once they have taken the step, and the company culture has shifted, they will always be able to confidently hire from this cohort.”

To reach ‘Leader’ status on the Disability Confident rankings, employers are expected to act as champions of disability employment within their local and business communities and supply chain networks.

For more information and to register as an employer on Removing Barriers, email Andrew Holland at andrew@ sendme2work.com.

Further details about Dorset Careers Hub can be found at https://www.dorsetcareershub. co.uk/about-us.

A new programme co-ordinated by Dorset Careers Hub aims to raise the number of locally-based employers who are confident about taking on young people with special educational needs and disabilities

Autumn Budget Statement 2022

THE anticipated Autumn Statement has landed, with the Chancellor’s speech offering little surprise that taxes will increase for many.

The rationale given was one of “significant economic challenge for the UK and global economy”, the primary causes of which are the costs incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic alongside rising inflation, further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Central banks are battling inflation by raising interest rates, which in turn have increased the cost of borrowing for families, businesses and governments.

What does this mean for the taxes to be paid by individuals?

n Allowances previously frozen until 2026 have now been frozen until 2028. This fiscal drag will bring more people into the respective taxation brackets as earnings and asset values increase. The frozen allowances include income tax personal allowances, National Insurance thresholds and the inheritance tax nil rate band alongside residential nil rate band. n The additional rate threshold will be reduced from £150,000 to £125,140 from April 6, 2023. n Capital gains tax annual exemption is reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 in April 2023 and then down to £3,000 from April 2024. For a higher rate taxpayer there will be £1,860 additional tax to pay on a gain of £12,300 from April 2024 onwards. n Dividend Allowances will also reduce from £2,000 to £1,000 in April 2023 and then to £500 from April 2024. n Owners of electric cars, vans and motorcycles will all start to pay Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2025. n From 1stApril 2025, any new zero emission cars worth £40,000 on the list price will have to pay the Expensive Car Supplement for five years. n Company car tax rates are also to increase across the board by 1 per cent per annum from 2025.

The Scottish government’s tax and spending plans for 2023/24 are due to be published on December 15.

I hope that this provides a useful summary and some food for thought. If you have investments, it is worth ensuring that they are as tax efficient as possible and potentially seeking professional help in order to ensure that this is the case.

Kate Spurling is investment manager at Redmayne Bentley. She lives in Swanage and is based at Redmayne Bentley’s Bournemouth and Poole office.

Redmayne Bentley is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Members of the London Stock Exchange. The Redmayne Bentley Bournemouth and Poole office is at 139 Commercial Road, Ashley Cross, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0JD.

Phone: 01202 714450. Email: kate. spurling@redmayne.co.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @redmayne bentley and visit us on the web at www. redmayne.co.uk/bournemouth.

To expand your customer base call Donna Garner Account Manager

on 07714 289408

Issue 274 Issue 274

20,000 copies: Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere RegisPurbeckThe Gazette April 2022 Issue no: 26720,000 copies: Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere RegisYou can also read the entire magazine in book format online at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk The real Golden GirlsStill friends after 86 years! Page 17 SWANAGE TYRES6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage 01929 421398 NOW TESTING CLASS 4 & CLASS 7 VEHICLES! North Dorset Tree SurgeonsWe carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified. Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional Experienced Reliable If you need to Let or want to Rent, contact WPM. We offer a personal service to Landlords & Tenants 15c Commercial Rd, Swanage 01929 426200 Web: www.wpmlettings.co.uk Email: wpmlettings@gmail.com SWANAGE TYRES6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage01929 421398NOW TESTING CLASS 4 &CLASS 7 VEHICLES!

10 October 2022 FREE MONTHLYThe Purbeck GazetteTribute to pandemic healthcare heroes Exhibition reveals hopes and fears of our frontline staff Page 27

PurbeckThe Gazette April 2022 Issue no: 26720,000 copies: Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere RegisYou can also read the entire magazine in book format online at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk The real Golden GirlsStill friends after 86 years! Page 17 SWANAGE TYRES6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage 01929 421398 NOW TESTING CLASS 4 & CLASS 7 VEHICLES! North Dorset Tree SurgeonsWe carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified. Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional Experienced Reliable If you need to Let or want to Rent, contact WPM. We offer a personal service to Landlords & Tenants 15c Commercial Rd, Swanage 01929 426200 Web: www.wpmlettings.co.uk Email: wpmlettings@gmail.com SWANAGE TYRES6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage01929 421398NOW TESTING CLASS 4 &CLASS 7 VEHICLES! SWANAGE & PURBECKTAXITAXI Local & Long Distance. 4-8 seater .also drivers required. Please call 07969 927424

The Purbeck Gazette ALL ABOARD! The Flying Scotsman is steaming into the Purbecks See page 4 • Precious stones and diamond merchant• Gold and silver specialist• Full evaluation on premises• Quality wedding and engagement rings• Bespoke designer jewellery made to order • Jewellery repairs and ring sizing• Stone replacements• Unwanted jewellery brought at high prices, gold silver and platium, ID required Price matches internet prices of the same quality jewelleryDiamonds of Swanage 18 Station Road, Swanage, BH19 1AE Tel: 01929 288160 Diamonds of Swanage Family Jewellers and Goldsmithing since 1980 GOLD AND SILVER SPECIALIST Picture: Andrew Wright Issue 273 26 September 2022 FREE FORTNIGHTLY Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022Pages 8-13 20,000 copies: Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere RegisPurbeckThe Gazette You can also read the entire magazine in book format online at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk The real Golden GirlsStill friends after 86 years! Page 17 SWANAGE T 6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage 01929 421398 NOW TESTING CLASS 4 & CLASS 7 VEHICLES! North Dorset Tree SurgeonsWe carry out all aspects of tree surgery, hedge cutting and stump grinding. Ash dieback specialist. Fully insured and NPTC qualified. Call Will today on 01747 854517 or 07872 970741 Professional Experienced Reliable If you need to Let or want to Rent, contact WPM. We offer a personal service to Landlords & Tenants 15c Commercial Rd, Swanage 01929 426200 Web: www.wpmlettings.co.uk Email: wpmlettings@gmail.com SWANAGE TYRES6 VictoriaAvenue Industrial Estate, Swanage01929 421398NOW TESTING CLASS 4 &CLASS 7 VEHICLES!

10 October 2022 FREE MONTHLYThe Purbeck GazetteTribute to pandemic healthcare heroes Exhibition reveals hopes and fears of our frontline staff Page 27

Gifts with Reservation

The majority of gifts made during a person’s life are not subject to tax at the time of the gift. These lifetime transfers are known as ‘potentially exempt transfers’ or ‘PETs’. These gifts or transfers achieve their potential of becoming exempt from Inheritance Tax if the taxpayer survives for more than seven years after making the gift. There is a tapered relief available if the donor dies between three and seven years after the gift is made.

The effective rates of tax on the excess over the nil rate band for PETs is:

• 0 to 3 years before death 40% • 3 to 4 years before death 32% • 4 to 5 years before death 24% • 5 to 6 years before death 16% • 6 to 7 years before death 8% However, the rules are different if the person making the gift retains some ‘enjoyment’ of the gift made. This is usually the case where the donor does not want to give up control over the assets concerned and the gift is made with reservation of title. These gifts fall under the heading of ‘Gifts With Reservation of Benefits rules’ or ‘GWROBs’.

A common example is a person giving their house away to their children but continuing to live in it rent-free. Under these circumstances, the taxman would contend that the basic position of the donor remained unchanged and that this is a GWROB. In this is the case, HMRC will not accept that a true gift has been made and the ‘gift’ would remain subject to Inheritance Tax even if the taxpayer dies more than 7 years after the transfer.

A GWROB can usually be avoided in this type of situation if the donor pays full market rent for the use of the asset gifted.