Dear Miss Meakin,

Welcome to the latest edition of the FPB’s eNewsletter!

Love is in the air this week and, to celebrate, we are offering a FREE HR template to all our readers.

We also bring you some great tips for increasing your take-home pay, an update on proposed changes to the VAT tribunal structure and we show you how to protect your business from employee theft - the statistics on this are staggering!

Finally, the business-friendly MP/MEP award for 2008 is now open for nominations. Let us know who gets your support.

If you fancy some FREE PUBLICITY for your company in this newsletter, all you have to do is join our growing ranks of hot tips contributors. Click here to find out more.

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How to increase take-home pay through salary sacrifice

Employers may recall the cut in the basic rate of income tax from 22p to 20p in the last Budget. Less noted was the removal of the 10p starting rate for income tax and the increase by £3,900 in the National Insurance upper earnings limit.   

What this means is that, from 6 April, employees earning less than £15,000 will pay more tax and NIC, whilst those earning £41,500 or more will be much better off. Click here to find out how to increase your employees' take-home pay through salary sacrifice.

A staggering 82% of UK workers have admitted to stealing from the workplace. In many cases, it is a case of 'borrowing' an envelope or a biro. But even thefts of individually inexpensive items can add up to significant sums over time. And, in some cases, the thefts are far more serious – and yet surprisingly common. According to a recent survey, 25% of employees have taken a laptop home and not returned it. So, what can you do to protect your business from this kind of theft?

Advertise your business - members
Members! Advertise your business from less that £50 per week. With more than 15,500 subscribers, your business can reach a massive potential audience for a minimal outlay. Find out more.

Advertise your business - non-members
For general advertising queries, please contact Sarah Mullett on 0845 890 5782 or email sarah.mullett@fpb.org. Click here to find out more.

With research showing that, struggling to compete with bigger businesses, small firms spent more last year on IT and telecommunications than in 2006, the FPB is advising members to take advantage of the savings available through its partnership with Chess.

The FPB is inviting business owners to nominate candidates for its 2008 business-friendly MP/MEP award, which is being sponsored by England's Regional Development Agencies.