Know your way on hols pay

WITH the peak holiday season imminent, Oldham business leaders are preparing for the absence of key staff over the summer months.

But employers need to be mindful of a number of issues relating to holiday entitlement and holiday pay calculations, according to the Institute of Payroll Professionals.

Granting leave should be straightforward, but recent legislative changes combined with last-minute requests for leave are likely to throw up problems.

Legislation launched in April guaranteed a worker’s statutory paid holiday entitlement increased to 28 days a year for an employee working a five-day week.

This takes into account public holidays although there is no automatic entitlement to these days off.

Holiday pay should be based on the worker’s normal pay with part-time workers being entitled to the same holidays as full-time workers on a pro-rata basis.


Summer cheer at Next

FASHION chain Next, which has a major store at the Centre Retail Park at the end of Broadway in Chadderton, delivered some surprise cheer by raising profit forecasts for the second time in three months.

DIGGLE-based Landmark Financial Planning Ltd has made available a detailed Inheritance Tax Guide which they will provide free by email. Email landmark@landmarkfs.co.uk to obtain the 30 page guide.

Partner Eric Mowinski said: “Inheritance tax is a complex subject which affects many families in the UK. This guide will help people understand how inheritance tax works and strategies for minimising the tax liability.”

The guide covers details on minimising inheritance tax liabilities, exemptions, general inheritance tax matters, wills and trusts.


Domino’s bigger slice of profits

HOME delivery firm Domino's Pizza, which has an outlet in Yorkshire Street, Oldham, has seen a double–digit increase in sales and profits.

The group believes its sponsorship of hit television show “Britain's Got Talent”, which it has sponsored for two years, has helped. Domino reports a 15 per cent increase in system sales and a 25 per cent hike in underlying pre–tax profits, to £13.6 million.