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Free workshops: Build Back Better by designing circularity into your businesses

6 Oct 2021

Come along to this practical online workshop and you'll take a fresh look at the resources flowing through your business and identify opportunities to increase your profits.
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Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment Delayed to 2024

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The government will be introducing compulsory Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) a year later than planned
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30 Sep 2021

Members across the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) have reported an increase in scam emails and fraud attempts experienced by retailers.
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Contactless limit to increase to £100 from 15 October

29 Sep 2021

UK Finance have announced that the national roll-out of the new £100 spending limit for contactless card payments will begin from 15 October 2021.
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Reunite and rediscover food & drink this October at the Fine Food Show North

29 Sep 2021

IRC member the Guild of Fine Food are hosting the Fine Food Show North, a showcase of small & medium-sized food and drink producers from across the UK
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Has your business experienced any positive effects from the pandemic? Complete this survey

27 Sep 2021

IRC member BIRA, together with Starling Bank are working on a news story to share the positive experiences independent retailers have encountered since lockdown ended.
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NI high street £100 voucher site opens for shoppers to "spend local"

27 Sep 2021

Northern Ireland's high street voucher scheme is now open to everyone aged 18 and over to apply online for a £100 "spend local" card to use inshops before the end of November.
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Government announces plans for flexible working employment right

27 Sep 2021

The government has announced plans to make the right to requesting flexible working a day-one right when starting a new job.
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Plan for Jobs Update restates National Living Wage commitment

23 Sep 2021

HM Treasury has published a progress update on its Plan for Jobs as well as a record £650 billion infrastructure investment
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Retailers could face prosecution for selling electric scooters without disclaimers

21 Sep 2021

Selling electric scooters without clear warnings is breaking the law, according to minister
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NI high street £100 voucher site opens for shoppers to "spend local"

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

Northern Ireland's high street voucher scheme is now open to everyone aged 18 and over to apply online for a £100 "spend local" card to use in shops before the end of November.

However, there were problems with the application page on the NI Direct site after it opened on Monday morning.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said "not everybody has to rush at once" to it.

Some people have complained on social media that the website had crashed them while others said they had not received a verification message after entering their email address.

Mr Lyons acknowledged there was "huge demand".

He said the verification messages were being sent "in a staged process just to make sure the website isn't overwhelmed all at once".

"There is a card available for everyone that is eligible so I would encourage people to apply for that over the coming weeks," he said.

The cards are expected to arrive between seven and 10 days after you apply.

They can be used in any shop with a card machine but cannot be used online or for gambling or legal services like penalties.

A phone application service will open on 11 October for anyone who does not have access to the internet.

The online and phone application processes will remain open until 25 October.

The £145m scheme is designed to boost activity in businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, like non-essential retail and hospitality.

Applications to the High Street Spend Local Scheme can be made through this page on the NI Direct website

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