Legislation was passed last week to ensure those competing in the Champions League Final at Wembley on 1 June 2024 will not be subject to UK income tax. Such tax rule changes are now a regular occurrence when big sporting events come to our shores. Chris Etherington Private Client Partner in the Leeds office at audit, tax and consulting firm RSMUK explores why the new legislation is necessary.

Trainline: Focus is on expanding in Europe; Rail nationalization in the UK could pose a threat but customer habits are hard to change

We need to value and invest in our young people. Every generation has its hyperbole about young people's poor attitude towards work and fecklessness. It's not a trait I recognise when speaking to young people. I see ambition and a desire to do a good job and get on in their lives.

For many businesses, applying for a sponsor licence is the first step towards accessing a broader talent pool and developing a competitive edge in recruitment. You need a sponsor licence to employ most workers from overseas, as you must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to each employee to enable them to apply for a UK work visa.

Private sector activity fell again in the three months to April (weighted balance of -14%, compared with -12% in the three months to March), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. Activity has now been flat or falling in our surveys since mid-2022.

The BCC remains concerned about the impact on small British businesses of new customs checks and charges that come into force tomorrow (April 30). The second phase of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model will introduce charges of up to £145 for imports of plant and animal products.

With political parties searching for revenue raising policies ahead of the election, Chris Etherington Private Client Partner in the Leeds office at audit, tax and consulting firm RSMUK looks at the potential implications of a policy highlighted in recently published commentary from the Institute of Fiscal Studies in restricting certain inheritance tax reliefs. What might the real-life consequences be for taxpayers of such a move and could it genuinely raise much needed funds for general election spending pledges?

The Education Select Committee has today launched a new inquiry into international student tuition fees. This will be welcomed by universities and businesses alike, who both reap benefits from the inclusion of international students. We warmly welcome the announcement of a new inquiry to assess the changing landscape of international student enrolment in UK universities.

At a recent dinner in Manchester for technology leaders, one thing came through loud and clear - every business is facing similar challenges, and collaboration is the best way to address them. It’s time for Yorkshire and Lancashire, particularly Leeds and Manchester, to work together. The 40-odd miles that separate the two cities is similar to the 36 miles from the East to West of London.

Improving skills and tackling labour shortages were the key topics discussed by Chamber Chief Executives, at a meeting this morning, with Education Secretary Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP. Chambers of Commerce are leading the development of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across much of England. The Government designated Chambers to lead 32 out of the 38 LSIPs.

Advanced engineering company Synthotech has completed a merger with HMG Water Solutions in a move that will support its growth plans in the utility sector. Synthotech provides advanced engineering services and in-pipe robotics to utility companies worldwide.

Increased costs impacting business viability was cited by Cumbrian business owners as the main challenge impacting their growth over the next three years. This was one of the key findings in the latest Family, Privately Owned and Owner-managed Business Survey by Armstrong Watson, which received responses from 172 Cumbrian businesses.