News
Covid-19 : Job Support Scheme
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Following the Chancellor’s announcement of the Job Support Scheme earlier today, the government have published a short factsheet (found here) with some further details on how the scheme will operate.
The JSS is described as a scheme to protect “viable jobs” with employers able to claim government support for wages of employees who are working at least 33% of their normal hours.
Residential Property Market Update : Sept 20
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The last six months have been incredibly challenging for everyone and the impact on the property market has led to modifications in the way the sector operates. Changing guidelines and the obvious importance of health and safety has meant that regular updates on current practices are required.
The latest announcement and guidelines issued by the government week commencing 21 September 2020 in relation to house visits appeared complex and may have caused some confusion. However, the undernoted statement provided by the Scottish government confirms that, in accordance with their new updated guidelines, we are still permitted to visit your property both to prepare marketing information and to carry out accompanied viewings.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Redundancy Payments
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On 31 July 2020, The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Coronavirus, Calculation of a Week’s Pay) Regulations 2020 came into force. These Regulations ensure that all furloughed employees receive redundancy payments at 100% of their normal pay, rather than at the reduced furlough rate.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Job Retention Bonus
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: 31 July: Job Retention Bonus
The Job Retention Bonus is aimed to protect jobs by giving employers the opportunity to claim a one-off payment of £1000 for all eligible employees.
On 31 July 2020, HMRC published further details with regard to the eligibility requirements and how employers can claim the bonus.
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2020
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The 2020 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide was launched on Thursday 9 July and we are delighted to announce that the Stronachs STEP accredited Private Client team are one of only three firms to have been recognised in the north-east of Scotland.
Covid-19 : Easing of Restrictions on Estate Administrations
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Registers of Scotland are now accepting deceased person’s Wills for registration again, a welcome development in the winding up of estates, ensuring the protection and preservation of Wills following a death.
It has been just over a month since the courts began accepting Confirmation (Scottish Probate) applications again. While initially done through a series of regional “hub” courts, they can now be submitted to the same local court as they would have been before the lockdown.
Flexible Furlough : Treasury Direction : 26 June
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On 26 June 2020 HM Treasury issued an additional Treasury Direction highlighting the new rules which are to apply under the amended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
The new Direction confirms that the original CJRS will end on the 30 June with the amended CJRS, which allows for ‘flexible furlough’ arrangements, to apply from the 1 July. The scheme will close on 31 October 2020.
Covid-19 : Property market : Phase 2
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On 18 June 2020 the First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government was ready to move the country into Phase 2 of the route map out of Covid-19 ‘lockdown’. This announcement was followed up on 23 June 2020 with new guidelines relating to the housing market that stated "From 29 June 2020, all home moves are permitted, provided they can be carried out safely."
The published Phase 2 changes for the property market include the resumption of physical viewing by potential buyers or tenants of properties for sale or lease. Selling agents will be allowed to re-commence visits to properties, subject to restrictions designed to keep all parties safe, in order to provide a valuation and marketing advice and to record details of the property to enable them to prepare a Schedule of Particulars.
