Features

Employee of the month: Phil Burns

Phil Burns MBE in front of an image of the Queen Elizabeth class, one of the projects he worked on
Posted on 8 Mar 2012 by

Phil Burns, Engineering Manager, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, took up his craft apprenticeship at a time when they were a major entry route to a career in manufacturing and engineering. Thirty-nine years later, he is due to meet with the Queen to receive an MBE for services to the defence industry. Here he talks to TM about his recent recognition and skills for success.

Workforce and skills: the female of the species

Posted on 8 Mar 2012 by

Manufacturing may not always have been the best environment in which to see female professional talent shine. But times are changing, and many companies are now finding that their highest flying apprentices are among the gradually swelling ranks of young women entering the industry. TM highlights some of Britain’s finest female prodigies showcased during National Apprenticeship Week last month.

EEF Insight: R&D tax relief

HMRC is encouraged to provide support for qualifying companies
Posted on 7 Mar 2012 by

Wen Zheng is a mechanical engineering consultant at Leyton, an international group with 15 years global experience in processing R&D tax claims. But Zheng is concerned that only a relatively small number of manufacturers still take advantage of this support. Here she raises awareness.

Frederick’s Dairies

The world's first amphibious ice cream van
Posted on 7 Mar 2012 by

This Lancashire ice cream maker has scooped awards and will be supplying Cadbury with Icecream for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. By John Silcox.

In response to ‘Export focus: China’

Posted on 7 Mar 2012 by The Manufacturer

Following TM's focus on export opportunities in China last month Anthony Shepherd of export agency Shepherd International, responds in a bid to crunch the data on export opportunities in China and highlight the wealth of professional help available to companies with export intentions beyond government bodies.

National Insurance: a taxing question

National Insurance contributions can prove to be a constraining factor for manufacturers
Posted on 7 Mar 2012 by The Manufacturer

The Autumn Statement in 2011 primed industry for details on ‘above the line’ R&D tax relief and the introduction of the Patent Box, due in the Budget in late March 2012. These tax adjustments are designed to help industry grow in the UK, but do they side-step a much more direct route to economic recovery and the reduction of unemployment? TM investigates the constraining effects of employer National Insurance contributions.

An employer’s guide: payroll law changes in 2013

Tax form
Posted on 7 Mar 2012 by

From April 2013, a phased introduction of Real Time Information (RTI) will see employers submitting payroll data to HMRC via the centralised registration service for e-Government services in the UK, Government Gateway, on or before payments credit employee’s bank accounts.