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New help to prevent homelessness

Around 150 young people are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Somerset – but help is on the way. A new service to prevent youth homelessness and provide quality supported accommodation for young people aged 16-24 years old has been designed through a partnership of Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council, the other Somerset district councils, local youth housing providers and young people, building on existing good practice in the county. Full Story: Read More

 

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South West employers urged to act now to avoid casual worker PAYE trap

Rural businesses in the South West planning to employ temporary or seasonal workers this summer are being urged to act now to avoid falling foul of planned changes to the income tax regime. From April 2013 HM Revenue and Customs will compel all employers to electronically report PAYE details every time an employee is paid, under a scheme known as Real Time Information (RTI). Full Story:Read More

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Environment Agency under fire after claiming ‘Wrong rain’ led to West flooding | This is Somerset

The Environment Agency was on the end of a backlash yesterday after its chairman said much of the flooding problems still facing the West were because of a ‘new type’ of rain.

Furious West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said the comment from former Labour minister Chris Smith, now Lord Smith the chairman of the Environment Agency, was ‘an insult’ to those battling floods and calling for investment in flood defences and action from the agency on the Somerset Levels. Full Story: Read More