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05 EURO) Tuesday, December 13, 2011

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Rugby legends all set for gala party

Ulster Lions legends, from left, Stephen Ferris, Willie John McBride, Syd Millar and Jack Kyle (front) will join Professor Eamon McCartan (second right), chief executive of Sport Northern Ireland, for the sport to business master class. The event will be held at Riddel Hall, Stranmillis College, followed by An Audience with Ulster Lions Legends Gala Dinner at Belfast City Hall on Friday, February 3 SEE PAGE 56

Business
Do you have the Perfect Boardroom pitch?
PAGE 22

INSIDE
News Letter, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 21

Business home and away

PAGES 26 & 39

Kids worth their weight in gold this Christmas

PAGE 43

r.sherriff@newsletter.co.uk THe government is toughening its stance on tax collection it was claimed yesterday as it emerged that the number of winding up orders obtained by Her Majestys Customs and Revenue service risen by 55 per cent (HMRC) has over the past three years. The claim comes from the office of law firm McgrigorsBelfast which also revealed that the use of bankruptcy petitions has increased by 17 per cent in the same period. The firm said the information obtained under the Freedom mation Act was striking of inforgiven that the use of similar legal powers in england & Wales had decreased over the same period. Pamela Muir, a director in the in-

BY riChArD ShErriff Business Correspondent

Winding up orders on the rise

Debra Doherty, Early Years, Stepping Stones playgroup and Declan Billington CEO of John Thompson and help young children understand some little helpers as they launch a new and Sons join Tracey McNeill of educational initiative designed more about food and nutrition to

John Thompson and Sons has joined forces with early Years to help over 32,000 young children understand world around them. the The initiative begins with an amazing treat for 22 high achieving playgroups, nurseries and day care centres across northern ireland have been chosen towho receive a toy barn play-set and tractor. in the coming months the two organisations plan to roll out an educational initiative looking at nutrition, and where food comes from across the world.

up with a childrens ganisation to developora unique educational initiative.

A leAding northern ireland agricultural feeds company has teamed

Christmas comes early for the little ones

Speaking at the launch Siobhan Fitzpatrick, of the initiative which chief executive of took place at the early Step- Years said the initiative ping Stones playgroup in was highly prized. Belfast, John Thompson its not every day and Sons CeO declan that a large company Billington said: like Thompsons John Thompson and calls you up and makes Sons have been part of a generous offer. such northern irelands After ricultural landscape ag- several meetings its for clear to us that over a century and weve they hugely committed to are been looking to do somecommunities which the thing positive to they help serve and were the communities which delighted to initially we serve for some time. gift of the receive the Farm sets to We wanted to enter an initiative which into reward excellence in the be long lasting, and will sector, and from there to will develop our nutrition have a positive impact initiative. Theres an right across communities early Years member in every in these difficult times. To village and town across that end were launching northern ireland, an educational and and sup- Thompsons port initiative which reach into will every rural help very young children community across northern ireland develop an interest in ag- so its an riculture and in nutrition excellent for both organisations fit from an early age. to come together.

solvency and restructuring practice Muir suggested. at Mcgrigors, said that tions for bankruptcy showed a clear change the figures in filed by HMRC the in emphasis been many cases businesses have has increased current climate, and at HMRC. given time to trade their by 97 per cent over flies in the way out three year a face of government of trouble, but they We are definitely seeing period while the number efforts to grow are the sector. ing in attitudes at HMRC, a harden- the sound of chickens now hearing of winding up orders coming home jumped issued has A HMRC spokesman to roost. during the downturn she said. by 75 per cent. there was clear The message from HMRC is ices aim was no more said the servRoger Pollen, head a high level of support if you have been than of external af- debts fairs with the Federation settle your tax affairs given time to but the taxman seems for business, due as efficiently as to collect but of Small Businesses (FSB), said HMRC only initiates possible. out of patience with to be running unable or unwilling to have been winding up it do unable or unwilling those who are will be no second chances. so, there tant that the authorities was impor- or bankruptcy action where to settle their it beto take an even-handed were seen lieves this is the best course unpaid tax bills. Adding that the authorities of action approach to protect across the UK. take a pragmatic approach, had to Where HMRC can see the interests of the you have a she said uer in respect of a particular excheqthe good of it seems disappointingly robust business plan and a strong or- maintaining a functioning business sighted debt. We der book there is still to force yet more small short do not take such action lightly. employment had to some leniency. busibe nesses HMRC operates the balanced against an in the absence of either, same criteria unsustainable flow under, largely because of cash throughout the chances business going under of being granted a and a difficult sales reprieve under without set- ment, environ- ing winding the UK when considertling its tax affairs. the Time to Pay regime he said. up action. are increasStating that it had an government needs ingly slim. That was an incredibly outstanding to collect tax- track difficult es from balance to strike, but record The contrasting trends she said peti- suggest businesses, but the figures periencing in supporting those exin england tions and northern ireland HMRC is adopting paying their debts he can probably as a were increasingly being used less a much said that approach would be explained by a flexible tactic to bring debtors continue. greater level of to the ireland than approach in northern We support businesses negotiating table rather leniency for businesses in england. in genuthan force across the them to ine difficulty through As our private sector irish Sea during the the wall. allowing time downturn Ms tionally so much smaller is propor- to pay whilst taking in Scotland, the number firm here, that of peti- cause for portionate action against but proreal concern, especially is those who in dont pay.

Woman dies after crash

A 59-year-old woman from Newtownards has died following a road traffic collision close to Conlig yesterday. It is understood that Moira Rankin was walking her dog along the Bangor road close to Conlig at around 1pm when she was struck by a car. Police have appealed to anyone who was on the Bangor Road, Newtownards, between 12.30pm and 1.15pm yesterday, or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them. DUP MP for the area Jim Shannon said it was desperately sad news.

Families to meet PM on Kingsmills

BY REBECCA BLACK
r.black@newsletter.co.uk

Prescription charge plan

HEALTH minister Edwin Poots has said he is considering launching a public consultation on reintroducing prescription charges in the New Year. Mr Poots told the Assembly yesterday the extra money would help fund clinically approved drugs for cancer and other debilitating diseases. Turn to page 10

THE families of 10 Protestant workmen killed in an IRA massacre have said they are hopeful they will get a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron. The factory workers were

gunned down by an IRA gang on January 5, 1976, after their minibus was stopped at Kingsmills in south Armagh as it brought them home from work. No one has ever been convicted of the murders. Earlier this year the Historical Enquiries Team completed a report into the murders and concluded that the IRA were

responsible, despite a group called the South Armagh Republican Action Force claiming they had carried it out at the time. Yesterday the families met with First Minister Peter Robinson, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin at Stormont Castle for around 90 minutes.

Spokesman Pastor Barrie Halliday described the meeting with the DUP representatives as frank, but said the families were happy with how it went. He said while Mr Robinson said there would be no more public inquiries, he has backed their call for a new police investigation into the murders. Turn to page 12