Peopleworks Consultancy Limited

Peopleworks wishes everyone Seasons Greetings and may you go forward with all hope for 2025

This is particularly visible in the hospitality and retail sectors employing thousands of staff and having to now pay huge amounts to maintain the status quo. Where will they find the money ?

The Time for Sub-Contractors Autumn Budget May Curb Hiring and Skills Investment, Say HR Leaders The recent budget, introducing a £40bn tax increase, could hamper hiring and skills development, warn HR experts. National insurance contributions (NICs) for employers will rise to 15%, creating added strain on recruitment and training budgets. HR leaders highlight that cost-sensitive sectors, like hospitality, may be especially impacted. Increased NICs, new employment rights, and minimum wage adjustments could pressure HR teams. Experts suggest streamlining processes and leveraging tech to improve efficiency. Emphasizing benefits and internal upskilling may help retain staff as companies face tight budgets. HR professionals are advised to craft clear pay philosophies, prioritize retention, and invest in internal development to maintain competitiveness amid rising costs. #hiring #recruitment #subcontractors #freelancers

Is this workable and will other countries adopt ?? Australia's Social Media Ban Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced legislation yesterday to ban social media for children under 16. The proposed law, set to be introduced in Parliament in the coming weeks, would require platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X, to bar access to children and teenage users. There are no exceptions for parental consent. If approved, companies would have 12 months to implement blocking measures or face potential fines. Albanese said the platforms would bear responsibility, with no penalties for users, arguing the ban is necessary due to social media's harmful effects on young people's mental health. Critics contend an all-out ban will not work and argue that social media is a valuable tool for social support. About 95% of teens use some kind of social media, spending an average of 4.8 hours daily — 41% of high-use teens rate their mental health as poor or very poor. The US Surgeon General has called for tobacco-style warning labels on social media platforms. #socialmedia #mentalhealth #screentime

Trump is now unstoppable – and he’s ready to change the world. At least it was all “thank yous” and no threats. Plenty of gratitude to his friends and family – and Elon Musk – and no mention of his enemies. At least not yet. At the very end, when Trump was clearly returning to the script, he said that it was “time to unite”: to “put the divisions of the past behind us”. Whether Trump now governs like a decent democratic president, or stages a coup that makes a mockery of the Constitution, the fact of his election deserves to be treated with respect. It is an event which might change the world in ways that we – and he – never expected. #Trump #POTUS #President #USA

America decides . . . As Americans head to the polls, they face a momentous decision: will the nation see a return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office, or will Kamala Harris, re-envisioned as a leader in her own right, make history as the first woman elected President of the United States? Trump, the polarising yet resilient former president, aims for a comeback that would defy modern political norms. His supporters view him as a powerful force against the political establishment, embodying a vision of “America First” policies and pledging to “drain the swamp” once again. For his critics, however, Trump represents a threat to democratic norms and a divisive figure whose influence they hope to see contained. On the other side, Kamala Harris has undergone a political evolution since her days as California’s attorney general and her term as vice president. Having weathered scrutiny, she has emerged with a reinvigorated public image that emphasises a forward-looking agenda on social equity, healthcare, and climate change. For Harris, this election represents both a personal transformation and an opportunity to carry on the legacy of the Biden administration, while setting her own course for the nation. The stakes are undeniably high. Harris represents a pathway to progressive policies, a commitment to multi-lateralism on the global stage and a promise of stability. Trump, meanwhile, rallies those who feel their voices have been sidelined by the political elite, championing nationalism and an “outsider” approach to governance. As the nation votes, it’s not only choosing between two leaders but two very different visions of America's future. The outcome will shape the nation’s policies on immigration, the economy, social issues, and America’s role in an increasingly uncertain world.

Post Budget . .   Quoted “What’s the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.” Mark Twain  

Its here . . at last ! Brits Who Don’t Count as 'Working People': The Definitive Guide Westminster’s favourite new parlour game: who exactly counts as a “working person”? Labour’s manifesto has made it clear they’re out to protect actual “working people,” but, as it turns out, not all Brits who think they’re working actually make the cut. Sir Keir Starmer mentioned “working people” 26 times in a single speech on Monday, adding that “The working people of this country know exactly who they are.” Do they, though? If you’re unsure if you’re a “working person,” here’s a quick guide for who isn’t: WFH Warriors: Labour apparently defines “working people” as those who physically leave the house for work, implying that all you Zoom call veterans in sweatpants are more “person” than “working.” Landlords: Congratulations on your side gig as a pest control hotline and on-call plumber. But, as per Labour, if your income comes from collecting rent, you don’t actually “work”—bed bugs and late-night calls from tenants be damned. Savvy Savers: Saved a bit for a rainy day? Well, clearly you’re not a “working person” because responsible financial planning apparently disqualifies you. How dare you have an emergency fund! Non-Taxpayers: Part-timers and lower-income workers, brace yourselves. If you’re earning below the £12,570 tax threshold, you’re basically living the high life on the state’s tab. Sorry, no “working person” badge for you. The Just-About-Managing Middle Classes: Struggling but still getting by? Sorry, no pity points here. Turns out, if you’re somewhere between “scraping by” and “buying Starbucks on Fridays,” you’re neither struggling nor “working” enough. High Earners: Pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and climbed the income ladder? Labour’s sympathy doesn’t climb that high. The Successful Stock Market Investor: If you’ve got some cash in the stock market and know what to do with it, Labour is ready to add you to their list of capitalist heretics. Apparently, if you’ve ever made money off assets, you’re on a whole different playing field than the “working people.” The 'Bare Minimum' Brigade: Got a job but prefer “quiet quitting”? Labour says that if you’re in cruise control, you’re out of the “working people” club faster than you can say “productivity goals.” So there you have it, Brits. The exclusive “working person” status isn’t for everyone. But hey, at least we all know exactly who we are... right?

  Quoted .. .. . “The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing.” 17th-century French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert #tax #budget #economy  

Are you a 'real' working person ?? In today's world, it can be hard to know where you stand. Am I a man? Probably. Am I white? My guilt suggests so. Am I a "working person"? That's up for debate too. Recently, in a bid to justify a surge of tax increases, Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempted to define what it means to be a "working person." According to him, it’s someone who "goes out and earns their living, usually paid in a sort of monthly cheque." A bit simplistic, perhaps, but it’s a start. When he was asked if this definition includes those who earn from assets, Starmer replied, “they wouldn’t come within my definition.” Conveniently, this leaves landlords and shareholders in the line of fire for Labour’s rumoured capital gains tax (CGT) hike. CGT is a tax on profits from selling an asset that’s gained value, and raising it may not be wise. Currently, CGT contributes a modest amount to government revenue. In 2022-23, it brought in only £17 billion, or 1.6% of total revenue, and mostly from a small pool of taxpayers: 80% of CGT revenue came from just 38,000 of the 369,000 people who pay it. While that seems small, if these individuals move their assets elsewhere, it could significantly impact tax receipts. Research by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) shows that increasing CGT to 33%, 39%, or 45% could see the UK drop further in the OECD's tax competitiveness rankings, making it one of the least competitive tax regimes among member countries. Labour has made a strong case for transforming the UK into an investment hub. Starmer recently said that "private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country." So why propose a tax increase that could deter investment? Higher CGT discourages risky investments, as those who take such risks will face heavier taxes when selling assets. Labour’s stance on business and entrepreneurship has often seemed contradictory. A government impact assessment recently noted that Labour’s new workers’ rights legislation could cost businesses £5 billion annually—just in administrative costs. Moreover, restrictions on dismissing underperforming employees could make employers cautious about hiring, threatening business growth. If the government truly wants economic growth, it must choose a clear path. One route is their ideology politics of envy, where the "rich" are taxed heavily for a short-term gain. The other is a strategy supporting established businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors, giving them the freedom to take the risks that drive a dynamic economy. Which will they choose? It’s clear that the current strategy of broken promises and shifting definitions won’t deliver the growth or stability the UK needs. #politics #tax #economy #aspiration