Four-day week ‘an overwhelming success’ in Iceland

Trials of a four-day week in Iceland were an “overwhelming success” and led to many workers moving to shorter hours, researchers have said.

With many people’s productivity increasing, many moved from a 40-hour week to a 35-hour week.

In May, a report commissioned by the 4 Day Week campaign from Platform London suggested that shorter hours could cut the UK’s carbon footprint.

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Covid: Most rules set to end in England, says PM

Face masks will no longer be legally required, and distancing rules will be scrapped at the final stage of England’s Covid lockdown roadmap, Boris Johnson has confirmed.

There is confidence that the final step will go ahead on the 19th July, with a final confirmation planned for 12th July.

This will include the rule of six inside removed and working from home removed. The big one however, is removing the legal requirement to wear a face covering.

Announcing what the next stage of the pandemic will look like in England, he confirmed:

  • an end to limits on attendance at weddings and funerals
  • table service rules at bars and restaurants and venue check-in requirements will be scrapped
  • limits on named care home visitors will be lifted
  • council powers to enforce rules will expire
  • large-scale events will not legally require certification

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COVID-19: Sunak urges workers to return to the office as ministers plan to make NHS COVID app ‘less sensitive’

The Department of Health says it is looking at reducing the NHS app’s Bluetooth sensitivity to reduce isolation numbers. With the final restrictions coming to an end on the 19th July the government are urging everyone to return to work.

Young workers are especially urged to return to work. Many new to work employees are missing out on learning from their colleagues and therefore stunting their growth within the business.

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Higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax

You must pay the higher Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates when you buy a residential property (or a part of one) for £40,000 or more, if all the following apply:

  • it will not be the only residential property worth £40,000 or more that you own (or part own) anywhere in the world
  • you have not sold or given away your previous main home
  • no one else has a lease on it which has more than 21 years left to run

The new rules state that the higher rates apply even if you intend to live in the property you’re buying – if buying with a partner the rules apply to both of you. Work out how many residential properties each of you will own at the end of the day of your new purchase.

If any of you will own, or part own more than one residential property worth £40,000 or more, you will have to pay the higher rates on your new purchase (unless there is another reason why the higher rates do not apply).

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