During the brief holiday that the email newsletter has had, HM Revenue and Customs has announced that following its loss in the House of Lords in the infamous “Arctic Systems” or more accurately the “Jones v. Garnett” case, a change in the law will be made.

Of course, this was not entirely unexpected, as the Treasury would be unlikely to let husbands and wives in business together continue to split their income un-commercially but tax-efficiently between each other, although we can only hope that the new legislation which updates the so-called “Settlements Legislation” will be more easily understood both by the general public and professional advisers alike.

You never know, we may even see a return to the joint tax returns previously filed by married couples many years ago!

From 1st October 2007, all workers will have to be provided with a minimum holiday leave entitlement of 4.8 weeks (or 24 days), which is an increase from the current statutory entitlement of 4 weeks (or 20 days).

From 1st April 2009, the entitlement will increase further to 5.6 weeks or 28 days.

However, the minimum statutory holiday entitlement can include bank and public holidays, and should be applied pro-rata to any part-time employees (i.e. 4.8 and then 5.6 times the number of days in the employee’s normal working week).

If you should require further advice on employment law, please email jenny@a4gsolutions.co.uk who will be able to put you in touch with one of our specialists in this area.

As sponsors of the next Javelin Business Strategies event, we are pleased to invite you to a unique day of inspirational seminars and workshops, headlined by the Champion Javelin athlete Steve Backley OBE, at the West Ham United football ground, Upton Park, on Wednesday 3 October 2007.

The event has been planned to differ slightly from previous events and will be made up of seminars in the morning session followed by workshop master-classes in the afternoon to be run by a selection of experts in their fields, covering subjects such as effective leadership, motivation and delegation. By the end of the workshops, you will have developed an action plan for you to use in your own business.

The program is essential for business owners and managers alike, and will prove to be an invaluable experience.

Venue:             West Ham United Football Club, Upton Park, London , E13 9AZ

Date & Time:   Wednesday 3 October 2007, 9am – 4pm

Cost:    As guests of A4G Solutions, you will be entitled to a special discount on the ticket price as follows (please quote A4G when booking):

All day              £97 plus VAT, reduced from £149 plus VAT (including lunch)

Morning only      £49 plus VAT, reduced from £79 plus VAT (excluding lunch)

Afternoon only   £49 plus VAT, reduced from £79 plus VAT (excluding lunch)

Places are limited so to reserve your place now, please email jenny.foster@javelinstrategies.co.uk or telephone 01474 850154

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

Mario Andretti