From the Business Godparent

A Summer of Change

We started 2024 off knowing that we were in for a bit of a ride with the world conflicts and elections in the second part of the year. But Rishi Sunak caught many napping and announced an early election changing summer holiday plans for many MPs. As the new Government settles in, we wait over the summer for changes, of which there are bound to be many as politicians seek to make a mark even if it’s just a change in terminology. Change will bring uncertainty and the Business Godparents will be on hand together with their trusted consultants to support clients where they can. Have a great summer and take time to recharge as we have a hectic second half of the year coming up!

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AI

How Could AI Help Boost Your Productivity

A guest article from Lionel Naidoo from Dragon IS It feels like everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) right now – and it’s no surprise, with the last 12 months seeing an explosion in AI-driven tools hitting the market, including releases from big names such as Google and Microsoft.  For businesses of all sizes

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Employee Spotlight

New Team Members

Meet Essendon’s new team members…

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HMRC

Child Benefit Earnings Cap Raised From £50k to £60k

You may have seen the changes in the spring budget and noticed an increase in the earnings cap for receiving child benefit.  Child benefit is a payment from the government to those who have children. In 2024, the amount you receive is: • £25.60 per week for your first child • £16.95 per week for

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Insights

Overpaying Your Mortgage: Should You Do It?

A guest article from Sheilpa Panchal from Q&A Financial Solutions Hardly a day goes by without the cost of living hitting the headlines. For many homeowners the increasing costs of owning and running a home is having a huge impact on household budgets. Even if you are near the top end of your monthly budget,

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Insights

Salary vs Dividends

If you own a limited company business, you have undoubtedly considered whether you should take a salary or dividends or both. But following the last couple of budgets the landscape for deciding on salary or dividends has changed. Corporation tax rates have increased, and national insurance has decreased. The strategy will not be the same

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Red Sofa Interviews

Shannon Lawton on The Red Sofa

Interviewer: Good morning and welcome to the red sofa. Today we have the pleasure of having Shannon Lawton of Lawton & Co with us who help businesses to secure funding to enable growth. Good morning, Shannon. Shannon: Good morning, Roger. Thank you for having me. Interviewer: So, Shannon, please give us a bit of background

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