News story: Manchester incident: advice for schools and students

Many students and teachers are likely to have been affected by the tragic events in Manchester last night. Head teachers are best placed to decide whether exams should go ahead as planned.

We will consider with the exam boards how the provisions that are normally made for students who are unable to sit their exams when planned, or who take their exams but whose performance might be affected, will be applied.

Students and their parents should seek advice and information from their schools. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

News story: Home Secretary’s statement on the Manchester attack

“I know that some people will only just be waking up to the news of the horrific attacks in Manchester last night.

This was a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society – young people and children out at a pop concert.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and the victims who have been affected, and I know the whole country will share that view.

I’d like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have worked throughout the night professionally and effectively – they have done an excellent job.

Later on this morning, I will be attending COBRa, chaired by the Prime Minister, to collect more information – to find out more – about this particular attack, and I can’t comment any more on that at the moment.

The public should remain alert but not alarmed. If they have anything to report, they should approach the police.

But I have two further things to add.

The great city of Manchester has been affected by terrorism before. Its spirit was not bowed; its community continued.

This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society – its intention was to sow fear – its intention is to divide. But it will not succeed.”

News story: Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) deadline fast approaching for Financial Institutions

The deadline for submitting Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) returns for the year ended 31 December 2016 is 31 May 2017.

Returns should include reportable accounts for the Financial Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories (CDOT) and the first year for Common Reporting Standards (CRS).

Financial institutions are advised to check whether they need to register and submit an AEOI return, and if so make the submission in advance of the 31 May deadline.

More information on the requirement to register and submit can be found in our AEOI guidance.

Returns submitted after the deadline, or the filing of an incorrect return, may result in penalties being charged.

If you have any queries please contact your HMRC Customer Coordinator/Customer Relationship Manager, or email your query to enquiries.aeoi@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

News story: Car parts merger referred for in-depth investigation

Euro Car Parts’ acquisition of another car parts supplier, Andrew Page, has been referred for an in-depth merger investigation.

Earlier this month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it would refer the deal for an in-depth investigation unless Euro Car Parts offered acceptable ways of addressing competition concerns.

Euro Car Parts has chosen not to offer these and so the merger will now be referred for an in-depth investigation by an independent group of CMA panel members (known as phase 2). The deadline for the final decision is 5 November 2017.

Both companies supply car parts to independent garages across the UK, and the CMA found that they compete closely with each other. Therefore, the CMA is concerned that the merger could substantially reduce competition in a number of local areas, as well as for some large customers that purchase car parts on a national basis. Customers could lose out if their suppliers are no longer competing with each other to offer the best deal.

The phase 2 investigation group will take a fresh look at the merger before coming to its decision.

Further information about the investigation is available on the case page.

Press release: April 2017 Transaction Data

The Transaction Data shows HM Land Registry completed 1,386,147 applications from its customers in April. This included 1,363,340 applications by account holders, of which:

Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The May Transaction Data will be published at 11am on Wednesday 21 June 2017 at HM Land Registry Monthly Property Transaction Data.

The monthly Transaction Data shows how many applications for first registrations, leases, transfers of part, dealings, official copies and searches lodged by HM Land Registry account customers were completed. For an explanation of the terms used, see abbreviations used in the transaction data.

Transactions for value include freehold and leasehold sales.

Most searches carried out by a solicitor or conveyancer are to protect the purchase and/or mortgage. For example, a search will give the buyer priority for an application to HM Land Registry to register the purchase of the property.

As a government department established in 1862, executive agency and trading fund responsible to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, HM Land Registry keeps and maintains the Land Register for England and Wales. The Land Register has been open to public inspection since 1990.

With the largest transactional database of its kind detailing more than 24 million titles, HM Land Registry underpins the economy by safeguarding ownership of many billions of pounds worth of property.

For further information about HM Land Registry visit www.gov.uk/land-registry.