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Autumn statement published
coins
Tax measures announced by George Osbourne

An updated forecast of the UK's economy was published yesterday (December 3). In response, Chancellor George Osbourne announced a number of tax measures.

Some of these included:
  • Restriction of corporation tax relief for goodwill. From December 3, an anti-avoidance measure was introduced to restrict corporation tax relief when a company acquires goodwill and certain other intangible assets that have been generated internally.
  • From April 2016, employer National Insurance contributions up to the upper earnings limit for apprentices under the age of 25 will be abolished.
  • Reform of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) on residential property. From today (December 4), each new SDLT rate is only payable on the portion of property value falling within each band.
  • Changes to the starting rate of tax for savings income. From April 6, 2015, the maximum amount of savings income that will qualify for the starting rate of tax will rise from £2,880 to £5,000.
  • Greater flexibility in access to pensions. From April 2015, those with money purchase pension funds will have free access to their pensions from the age of 55. It is proposed this will be achieved by allocating funds to a flexi-access drawdown account, from which any amount of money can be taken over any period of time. Alternatively, a single or series of lump sums can be withdrawn from the fund.

Draft legislation on many of these changes will be published on December 10.

A full summary of the changes is available from Ballams Chartered Accountants.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.