Expert advice for you and your business

Welcome to the latest edition of our Wye Valley newsletter. As ever, we hope that you remain safe and well.

There has been an evident shift in recent weeks away from a UK-wide lockdown. Restrictions are being lifted on a weekly basis and we are all being encouraged back into work and into public spaces in an effort to kick-start the economy. In this issue, we consider some of the incentives the government are offering house-buyers as well as what the ‘new normal’ may look like for the energy sector.

Sarah Woodall discusses the temporary changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) designed to re-energise the housing market through tax breaks for first-time buyers and those moving up the property ladder.

Harriet Murray-Jones considers the continuing strength of the energy sector; how the energy revolution can lead the UK’s economic recovery following Covid-19 and the opportunities created by the new ‘green deal’.

We are also delighted to introduce you to Liz Shield, the newest member of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ planning and highways team. The breadth of Liz’s expertise, from domestic planning matters to nationally-significant energy projects is a real asset to the Wye Valley team, and that’s without mentioning her acting credentials.

Stay safe and look after each other.

With best wishes,

Arpinder Dhillon, Partner, Head of Wye Valley office

Direct dial: +44 7958 134 281

Email: adhillon@hcrlaw.com

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Tax cuts for home movers

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak gave a summer budget statement in which he laid out a number of actions the government will take in order to stimulate the economy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the most eye-catching announcements was the unprecedented plan to temporarily lift the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) threshold from £125,000 to £500,000.

Planning for the future

Early stardom hasn’t turned Liz Shield’s head – brief moments in the spotlight, on a radio commercial for the AA and as a murder victim on the TV detective series Dalziel and Pascoe were not enough to draw her to acting as a career. Instead she followed the path of a planning lawyer, joining our team this spring.

Can the energy revolution lead the way out of the Covid-19 crisis?

The Covid-19 crisis forced an abrupt halt in activity and in doing so, presented us with an opportunity to take stock. It has undoubtedly caused an acceleration of plans already in motion to revolutionise the way in which we generate and consume energy.

In business, our people are often our biggest expense, and in order to survive, some employers may have to find ways of reducing their wage bills.

Whilst this is a difficult subject for any employer, we would encourage you to think about it sooner rather than later. Our free webinar series will help, whether it’s the first time you’ve managed a redundancy process and need an overview, or if you’re managing a large-scale, complex situation. Find out more and book.