Edition 58

The proposed changes, which were set out in the Queen�s Speech, would see that entitlement extended to older children.

Imelda Walsh, human resources director at Sainsbury�s, has been asked to lead a review of how the changes could be implemented.

Introducing the measure, John Hutton, Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: "The right to request flexible working not only helps millions of parents juggle work and family life, but can also benefit business by improving staff retention and productivity."

So far some 14 million employees work flexibly, or have done so within the last 12 months, with arrangements including working from home, working part-time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

New figures show that 91% of workplaces that received requests in the last year approved all requests.

A formal consultation will be held after the results of the review are published in order to gauge the views of business, employers and unions.

Business groups, however, warned the government against imposing too strict a regulatory burden on employers.

Sally Low, director of policy and external affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The government's proposed review must recognise that businesses, particularly smaller businesses, are already working flexibly. Over 90 per cent of respondents to a BCC survey indicated that they offered at least one form of flexible working to employees. This was driven by personal conviction rather than legislation."

Low adds: "This review must avoid recommendations which impose further legislative burdens on small business which would harm UK competitiveness."

Government contracts should be more open to SME's

MPs have given their backing to calls to make it easier for small businesses to tender for government contracts.

In a report on public procurement, the Trade and Industry Select Committee said that SMEs risked losing out on government work because purchasing was becoming increasingly centralised.

The report argued that both central and local government were overly reticent about making purchasing decisions. The system allowed officials to shy away from innovative choices of supplier by hiding behind bureaucratic procedures or by going for the cheapest bids rather than best value tenders.

Smaller businesses were suffering as a result because they lacked the resources to see through long and involved tendering procedures.

Another issue of concern to the Committee was the length of time it sometimes took work to be paid for.

The Select Committee welcomed a suggestion from the Forum of Private Business (FPB) that ongoing work could be paid for incrementally as this would provide smaller firms with a better chance of managing the complexities of long-term contracts.

Matt Hardman, the FPB�s campaigns manager, called on the government to reduce bureaucracy in order to level the playing field of the procurement process: "Public authorities tend to bundle tenders together for convenience, when they could get better value for money by breaking them up and putting them out to tender individually. Breaking down contracts and reducing the bureaucracy involved would enable smaller firms to secure more public sector contracts and could save taxpayers� money."

VAT targets 'unlikely' to be met soon

The average length of time it takes HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to process applications by businesses registering for VAT is unlikely to fall significantly in the short term.

The government has set HMRC a target of January for processing 70 per cent of applications within a 14-day period.
However, Jayne Kennedy, the financial secretary for the Treasury tasked with resolving registration problems, has admitted that HMRC will probably not succeed in hitting the deadline.

Ms Kennedy said: "HMRC is working towards the target. However, it will be a challenge for them given the constraints they face."

In the last six months alone, a further 829 complaints have been received.

Our Christmas Charity Appeal: Under The Tree

With Christmas fast approaching, our Grimsby Office has chosen �When You Wish Upon A Star� for their Christmas Charity Appeal.

When You Wish Upon A Star grants the 'wishes' of children suffering from terminal and incurable illnesses, from the age of 2 to 16 years.

Wishes are as individual as the children themselves. For a very sick child, this could mean meeting their favourite pop group, going on holiday, driving in a Ferrari or having a great day out with their family.

These courageous children undergo some harsh and painful treatments and their families who so bravely fight alongside them need the support that this charity offers.

Donations, gifts and help from volunteers are so urgently needed. Granting these wishes will bring some sparkle back into the last moments of these children�s lives.

Under The Tree' Appeal with the Children�s Ward of Grimsby�s Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, December 2006.

In the first week of December we will have a huge 14 foot Christmas tree in our main reception. This impressive tree will act as the focal point of our Christmas appeal.

All the staff at A P Robinson & Co will be donating presents which will be placed beneath the tree and delivered to the children a little closer to Christmas.

We would be very grateful if all our clients and contacts could get involved in this appeal by donating gifts or by offering cash contributions. The money received would go towards making the dreams come true for so many sick children in the Lincolnshire area and the gifts would put a smile on their faces on Christmas Day.
If you would like to make Christmas special for the less fortunate youngsters who are terribly ill this Christmas, come and place a present under our tree!

The closing date for our �Under The Tree� appeal is Tuesday 11th December 2007.

Accountant Lee Conley returns to the firm

After a short absence from the office we are delighted to announce that Lee will be rejoining the firm as from next Monday 26th November to resume his former duties with Jodie and Matt.