Many of the world's largest cities are facing increasing pressure from environmentalists to clean up their act. With inner-city congestion and highly dangerous pollution at an all-time high, the problem is not going to just go away any day soon. Is it now time to relax the outdated laws concerning electric vehicles in the UK?

In at least 40 US states and in many European countries, the electric scooter is making headway as an alternative means of clean transport. With top speeds of around 25km per hour (15mph) and a travelling distance of around 30km (18.5 miles) on a full charge, the electric kick scooter is a serious contender for an alternative short distance inner-city mode of transport.

If the government are prepared to take action against congestion and inner-city pollution then it's time they took note of the growing concerns of those who live and work in these toxic environments, before a whole stream of public health issues impacts on a currently overloaded NHS. Congestion charges will only go so far, and as long as public transport remains so undesirable, people will still use their cars at any cost. However, that's only because there are no other alternatives.

The laws governing Personal Light Electric Vehicles is very outdated and relates the 1835 Highways Act when there were very few vehicles around, let alone any thought of congestion or pollution. Electric bikes are allowed to use the roads and cycle lanes, so why not electric scooters? It seems everyone involved in this transport issue is reluctant to give the go-ahead because they fear an increase in accidents. They tend to forget that if commuters are allowed to use electric scooters then the chances of accidents occurring will become less because there will be fewer cars on the road.

Safety helmets are available to e-scooter riders just as they are for bicycle riders and cycle lane users are very under-represented. Some bus lanes and cycle tracks can also accommodate e-scooters without affecting other road users and many public footpaths are also used infrequently. Is the government holding back until they can figure out the best way to tax the e-scooter rider? Citing the possibility of increased accidents would suggest this to be the case. And just think about all that congestion income and parking charges that could be lost.

It's time for a serious look at clean alternative modes of transport for our inner cities, to help remove the daily gridlock and cut down on dangerous CO2 emissions once and for all. Electric folding scooters save time and money, cost around one penny a mile to run, are kinder to the environment and can be neatly folded down to fit under a desk. What other realistic alternatives do we have that even come close?

Find out more information about e-scooters by visiting www.escooterworld.com

It's seriously time for change.

Ronch said:

Well.. at list the Telegraph (on your link) thinks otherwise.

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It's click bait

We are here and awaiting your call Mr Hawke.

A lot of the re-sellers do try and avoid phone contact, in fact they make it pretty near impossible to get hold of them at all!

So in answer to your question, we sort any issues out immediately.

Thanks for the link Scalloway.
Chris, I appreciate what you are saying, and I understand the risks of keeping a limited profile, but a) I have personal reasons for doing so that will actually help the business more than harm it, and b) that unfortunately doesn't answer the quandary I posed! Thanks anyway!

Focus your energy on your future, not your past.

Will the hirer be driving on the roads or on your land?

Will you be offering 4WD driving tuition / experience or other value-add?

If not, for reasons already given, there is unlikely to be any commercial benefit from conventional rental of one car.

You can save money on tax buying a van or transporter but also at the same time expect the item to lose value over time, how much will your £25000 item be worth in two years time or even one year
Paying tax and using a hired van when required may workout a better deal and no insurance or maintanance costs

Do a price check on autotrader to see how much markup the trader is making

I think you are right there. I get regular emails from HMRC on a variety of subjects. I had a quick google but I couldn't find any of their videos on You Tube.

Mark T Jones said:

I may have misinterpreted you here, but my business involves frequently asking for 'difficult' information, and experience says that the only people who aren't OK with at are those with something to hide.

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No, I don't think you have misinterpreted. I suspect I am being a bit pessimistic about the outcome of the conversation if it happens now, rather than earlier, before the business was formed.

Of course, the question will still need to be addressed, and any risk taken.

Mr D said:

Indeed - paying full price up front is one way of buying, there are others including payment out of the profits.

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...and this way, the OP is only paying anything if the vendor's claim that turnover is higher than reported is true!

I agree with the above posts. Due dilligence on a company is relatively straight forward the real problem in this business as the very high level of fraud. The only way to get through it is a) get samples (and be prepared to try a number of suppliers to get the correct one), B) visit the factory or get someone to visit it for you and look at the materials they are using. Don't expect to get a high quality piece for a low price - it just doesn't happen. We have helped a number of customers source suppliers - and as said above you really need to know your stuff.
If you can spare the time I would recommend you visit the China International Hair Fair in Guangzhou at the end of August (26-28). Being held in our home town we know it well and have helped a number of customers to obtain products that way.

When you say wind up are you referring to Liquidation or are you referring to a simple dissolution?

Is the Company solvent? Will there be surplus funds to distribute to shareholders (if so how much)?

If the final tax returns have not been filed they will object as they won't know if they are creditors.

Hi Hannah - personally I think the two brand names are too close, although I'd need to know what the Example bit is to comment properly. So you may want to pick a new name. As part of this process, I'd recommend having a trade mark search carried out before you start using your mark (or applying to register it as a trade mark) to check that it is free for use.

The company is dissolved - it no longer exists. How can something that does not exist file a return? Any debt owed died with the company so the tax man can't get anything and the company can't reclaim anything.

Unless the tax man can prove that you did something criminal (and thus pierce the corporate veil to make you personally liable) nothing is going to happen. If you want to you could write to them pointing out that the company no longer exists but why bother.

As mentioned by a previous poster, import the glass jars into India and have your factory bottle the cosmetic cream in India.

First check how feasible this is to import jars into India, (there are always hurdles importing into India, least being heavy taxes) and first check that the glass jar does not contaminate the cream. (You will be surprised).

We have recently sourced 30ml glass bottles for natural serums and had to test bottles from 5 different factories before deciding on the correct one.

The other option is to import the glass jars into UK and supply the bottling company in UK with both the jars and cosmetic cream to bottle for you.

Labelling is also an important (legal) factor to consider for any cosmetic product.

If you want to discuss your project, feel free to contact me via the website link in my signature below.

Scalloway said:

I now make it

Called up share capital not paid .......1
Stock ....................................................6400
Bank ........................................................878
Creditor .............................................-8105
TOTAL.....................................................-826

Capital and reserves
Capital......................................................1
P & L.....................................................-827
TOTAL....................................................-826

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Thank you so much. That's perfect.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to give your valuable advice. It's so very much appreciated.

Sumita Singha said:

yes, I am thinking of doing a media story about these admin charges from which companies make money regardless of whether they've done anything useful for you or not, and despite having made mistakes. It's like going to a restaurant and having a terrible meal and then a service charge being slapped on the bill. In a restaurant, you can decide whether to pay the service charge or not, depending on the service, so why not for these admin charges? BBC did a programme on admin charges sometime back but they only covered insurance companies.

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If the business made money on an 8 pound admin charge I would be surprised. Contribution towards the costs you have generated.

Service charge added to the bill? Yes that is common, it's not a tip it's extra voluntary price. You can ask to have it taken off.
For great food and service there is always a tip too, which is not company income and not subject to tax on profits.

Newchodge said:

Or not paid, presumably, otherwise there would be no arrears.

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True point.

I been in this premises for 19 years, so most have been paid

Some very useful advice above.

As noted above, termination of LTA protected tenancies is a pretty technical area, so (assuming it applies) you should make sure the landlord complies with his obligations under that.

You say the owner / landlord is a lawyer. Chances are he will know what he is doing, so all the more reason for you to get some professional advice to protect your position properly.

Gnucash is great, but the user has to configure it and you will have to add a plugin for MTD.

Gnucash will do everything from multiple currencies, payroll and even bank direct and P&L printouts and charts. It is a proper double-entry system for adults!

Stick with your limited (as changing your trading status with Amazon later will not go well) & if one of the avenues you're goimg to also explore is B2B...being limited carries a certain gravitas (vs for example a sole trader trading under the name of "Bob's Widgets")

Amazon FBA & accountants - frankly they won't care about FBA ...in your accounts software, things will be categorised under sales, or fees/commision etc (so to an accountant it's just more of the same - they don't/won't need to know the intracies specific to FBA)

If you get a P45 from DWP in time, give them that, if not, complete the new starters form. It won't make one iota of difference as your first pay date will be the first pay date of the new tax year, so previous earnings/tax paid will not matter.

Therer are huge employers (Civil Service for instance) who have cut off dates for payroll information very close to the beginning of the month, so can't process the information in time for the end of the first month. Usually you would get an 'advance' at the end of the first month and then 2 months' on your May payslip. with 'recovery of the advance' on there, so you get the money on time and the paperwork catches up later. If this is an ordinaruy size employer you should get paid at the end of April.

You are within your rights to raise flexible working at any time, as you are within your rughts to raise anything at any time. If you mean 'is it a good idea' only you can judge that. You cannot know, until you have settled into the role, whether or how flexible working will work for your employer. Once you are settled it may be appropriate to rise the issue, with an explanation of how it would work and how any potentil negatives for the employer may be overcome.