Payroll change is a new burden on firms

Sir, Upcoming payroll changes will cause a headache to any unprepared businesses in Sutherland.

From 6th April, small businesses throughout the UK will have to report pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) information to HMRC in real time.

Specifically, employers (or their accountants) will have to:

Send details to HMRC every time they pay an employee, at the time they pay them.

Use payroll software to send this information electronically as part of their routine payroll process.

Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) polling at the end of 2012 showed that one third of our small employers knew nothing – or very little – about these changes.

Whilst we have raised concerns with HMRC and the UK Government, we believe that all businesses should ensure that they keep themselves on the right side of the law.

With only a few weeks to go until these changes come into force, we would urge firms to look at the HMRC website or visit http: /www.payerti.org. Your local Business Gateway Office will also be able to give you advice

Andrew Mackay,

Chairman, Caithness & Sutherland Branch Federation of Small Businesses,

Norseman Hotel,

Wick.

Memories were slightly clouded by the mists of time!

Sir – Regarding your Old Files section (50 Years Ago) reference to me in last week’s NT.

I came to Kinnauld in November 1962. I was not born in England – the Gibson family go back 800 years in west County Cork, Ireland, and I was not the only real Irish west coaster to go to school in England.

My mother was a Ferguson from Perthshire.

Kinnauld is not a farm – receiving crofting grants and subsidies.

I am now semi-retired and have some sheep, horses for pies and the odd goat looking in!

Brian Gibson,

West Kinnauld,

Rogart

Apologies for NT mistakes 50 years ago! – Editor

Can you remember the aircraft which crashed at Skelbo?

I am presently compiling the history of the FAA & RAF’s use of the Miles Martinet. As such I am trying to gain further information on the loss of Miles Martinet JN496 of No. 8 A.G.S. which stalled off a turn and crashed near to Skelbo Street crossroads, three miles north of Dornoch on December 1st 1943.

Unfortunately both the crew lost their lives in the accident and as such I would be most interested in contacting any reader who recalls the incident or the subsequent recovery of the aircraft.

If any reader can help, or flew

serviced the Miles Martinet, please contact: Tim Bishop, 114 Newlands, Bettyhill, Sutherland, KW14 7SR. Or email light.weight@tiscali.co.uk.

Tim Bishop,

Bettyhill.