Jun 4 2018 Rates relief for children’s nurseries Categories: Healthcare If you run a children’s nursery are you remembering that as of 1 April 2018 you should no longer be paying rates on any property used mainly as a nursery school? These rules are in effect until 31 March 2021. You must formally apply to the local authority to obtain this relief. We at EQ, more
Jun 1 2018 Dundee professor receives funding for food review Categories: Technology A professor at Dundee University is to receive funding to carry out research into crop-killing diseases. Diseases cause approximately 40% of overall crop losses worldwide. Professor Paul Birch who heads up the plant sciences department will receive almost €2.5 million from the European Research Council for his work over the next 5 years. It is more
May 29 2018 Employment status update for dental professionals Categories: Healthcare You may have read our article, titled, ‘Know your employment status’ in August 2017. In summary we discussed the updated rules under IR35 that were introduced from April 2017 and how the changes could impact on dental professionals. These rules are aimed at individuals and/or their limited company taking up work for a public sector, more
May 28 2018 Budgets and childcare Categories: Healthcare With the increase in free early learning and childcare hours which comes into effect in 2020, children’s nurseries need to take action now to be prepared. Additional staff may be required, all having to carry out continuous training and, if all private nursery staff are to be paid the Scottish Living Wage, nurseries should review more
May 25 2018 TechNation report says Dundee worth over £200m to economy Categories: Technology The annual TechNation report recently published stated that the Dundee technology sector was worth over £200 million to the Economy and supported over 2,500 jobs in 2017. The support of both Abertay and Dundee universities were highlighted as the greatest strength of the local sector. The biggest challenge was considered to be the recruitment of more
May 22 2018 Increase in government funded childcare hours Categories: Healthcare The Scottish Government plan to increase funded childcare hours for three and four year olds from the current 600 hours to 1,140 per year. The extended hours policy is due to be introduced from 2020; however there are significant concerns about the practicalities of implementing such a policy, especially from a private nursery’s perspective. Insufficient more
May 21 2018 Tax and financial planning for the purchase of equipment Categories: Property & Construction Investing in more expensive, quality equipment rather than purchasing cheaper equipment that requires regular repairs, is not a new theory, but one that is still not fully embraced by companies working in the construction industry. In the long run the cheaper equipment can end up costing companies more money and inconvenience, in terms of unplanned more
May 11 2018 Working with ‘Young Farmer of the Year’ James Fairlie Categories: Agriculture As a farmer, James Fairlie is accustomed to risk, uncertainty and change. However, James, who runs the operations at the Kirkton of Monikie Farm in Angus, along with his father, Iain, has cemented his future by embarking on a new business project which complements his day-to-day farm work. James (29), who won ‘Young Farmer of more