In April 2021, the annual increase in National Minimum Wage rates will take effect, but this year there is a significant difference.

A report by Rennie Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer at Self Storage Association UK and FEDESSA

Gosselin has won the award for international moving from Aires for the second year in a row.

A lead story in The Times newspaper on Wednesday, 24 February has speculated that UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is planning to extend the Stamp Duty holiday until the end of June when he announces his budget next Tuesday.

According to the December Office for National Statistics (ONS) house price index, UK property prices increased dramatically in 2020 as the pandemic-induced Stamp Duty holiday and the nation's need to live and work at home kicked-in.

Business Moves Group (BMG) has won a major relocation contract with Three Mobile.

Bournes in Rye, East Sussex, has become one of the first removals companies in the UK to take part in the government’s rapid workplace testing programme, aimed at detecting COVID-19 in workers who are not displaying symptoms.

It is understood that the DVSA is currently experiencing technical issues with the OCRS system, which means that operators may not be able to access their OCRS reports for up to 8 weeks and reports may show inaccurate data.

The Mover has received many requests in the last few weeks from British moving companies that are looking for reliable custom agents to help with moves into Europe.

John Mason International, one of the UK’s largest independent removal, storage and shipping companies, has been sold to its former sales and marketing director, Simon Hood.

UK non-residents buying residential property face a sharp increase in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates from 1 April, together with new residency rules and a tough payment window of just 14 days, warns accountants Hillier Hopkins.

The organisers of the Movers & Storers Show have confirmed that its 2021 event will take place at NAEC Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, on 2-3 November and not at Hanger 42 in Bruntingthorpe as previously announced last year.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on 15 January, removals companies who took out Business Interruption (BI) insurance policies may be covered for at least part of their losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having had their claims rejected earlier by their insurance companies.

Commercial drivers, including those driving vans, heading for Europe via Dover or the Channel Tunnel are advised by the Department for Transport (DfT) to get a negative COVID-19 test before entering Kent.

EUROMOVERS International has announced a change to its legal form to that of a European Cooperative (Societas Cooperativa Europaea).

Networking group EUROMOVERS Worldwide Alliance has regretfully announced the postponement of its annual conference, scheduled to take place in Portugal in May, until spring 2022. This is the second time the conference has had to be re-scheduled due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

DKV Euro Service has begun the pilot phase in Italy for its Europe-wide toll solution, DKV BOX EUROPE: the pilot phase for the DKV BOX ITALIA for nationally operating hauliers in Italy started in the autumn of 2020.

A rare Atkinson View Line heavy haulage vehicle from 1970 has been restored to its original Pickfords’ livery by Logistics Consultant David Batty. David currently works with road tanker specialist Abbey Logistics, but the project has been completed in his spare time.

A new business, Universal Customs Clearance in Ipswich, is offering customs clearance and customs entry services for consignments through Felixstowe and Dover, specifically for moving companies who are providing services into Europe after Brexit.

Several European countries have now introduced COVID-19 testing requirements. Check before you travel to ensure you have taken necessary action.