Hardip Singh Khaira’s nine-year disqualification comes into effect on 6 August, after which the 43-year-old is banned from acting as a director or directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

HK Construction was incorporated in May 2011 and provided groundwork construction services, including drainage and concreting. The company traded from premises in Coatbridge until July 2019.

In September 2019, the construction firm was subject to a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation and this brought HK Construction to the attention of the Insolvency Service.

Investigators uncovered that between November 2011 and February 2015, Hardip Khaira knowingly caused the company to submit false tax returns. Some invoices had been brought down to zero rated sales to reduce the company’s tax liability.

The tax authorities determined that just over £225,000 was owed by HK Construction, which increased to more than £426,000 when interest and penalties were applied for the deliberate concealment and failure to pay.

Aware of the liability owed to the tax authorities, Hardip Khaira placed the company into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation resulting in outstanding liabilities to the tax authorities of more than £426,000.

On 4 July 2020, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Hardip Singh Khaira after he did not dispute concealing tax to the detriment of the tax authorities.

Robert Clarke, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said:

It was clear from our investigations that Hardip Khaira deliberately caused the construction firm to submit false returns to reduce the amount of tax the company had to pay.

This is serious misconduct and a nine-year ban not only demonstrates the severity of what Hardip Khaira has done but also confirms that we will take action to remove the privilege of limited liability against those who think they can do the same.

Hardip Singh Khaira is of Coatbridge and his date of birth is April 1977.

HK Construction Limited (Company Reg no. SC400061).

A voluntary undertaking has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

• act as a director of a company
• take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
• be a receiver of a company’s property

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings. Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has launched an exciting new apprenticeship scheme as a non-degree entry route to becoming a professional Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI).

Please take a look – whether you’re considering a change for yourself or have a family member or friend who’d be perfect for this opportunity, please spread the word.

PHSIs have a crucial role in maintaining and promoting a high plant health status in England and Wales. Their work is valuable to Defra group’s overarching purpose of protecting and promoting plant health within trade, agriculture and the natural environment.

The PHSI role is physical, diverse and interesting, and includes: checking imports for the protection of indigenous plants and ecosystem; ensuring exports comply with current legislation which may include examination and certification of plants and planting material; organising emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non-indigenous pests and diseases; and carrying out crop surveys and soil sampling to prevent the spread of notifiable plant pests and diseases.

Ian Hewett, APHA Service Delivery and EU Exit Director, encouraged people to apply:

“I am pleased to support apprenticeship opportunities in this vital work area. As well as making an important contribution to maintaining biosecurity standards and trade flows following the UK’s departure from the EU, apprentices are a vital part of our strategy to grow our future leaders and diversity within APHA”.

What it’s like being a PHSI: hear from APHA colleagues

Piers Harrington, Imports Inspector in North East London & Essex, shares his highlights:

“As part of a small team we plan and undertake inspections of fresh fruit, vegetables, plants and seeds as they arrive in the country. Ports and airports are fast paced environments that see a wide range of commodities passing through, and an equally wide range of potential pests and diseases. We also visit garden centres, commercial nurseries, glasshouses and farms to inspect plants as they are growing.

“The agency has staff from a wide range of backgrounds including those with scientific, horticultural or agricultural backgrounds among many others. However all the staff share the same enthusiasm for a role in which we can play an active role against the threats to the horticultural and agricultural industries and wider environment both in this country and in others.”

A Plant Health and Seeds Inspector based at Heathrow, added:

“My main work as an inspector at Heathrow, is going out and about to all the warehouses (we call them sheds!) around the airport, all 41 of them! I carry out inspections of controlled fruit and veg, cut flowers, seeds and live plants and cuttings.

“Recent changes to legislation as a result of EU exit has meant I have had to learn new inspection methods and adapt to new requirements but I am excited about the future of plant health in the UK following our full withdrawal from the EU.

“I love the shift working which gives me four days off in a row every four days. Even though I work four 11 hour days, it goes so quickly as I am always kept active and busy with all my work.”

Benefits of an apprenticeship

The scheme is offering 30 apprenticeships in 22 locations across England and Wales.

This is a two-year level 4 apprenticeship which is the equivalent of a first year undergraduate degree. Apprentices will work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage and get holiday pay. Throughout the programme, 20% of contracted hours will be allocated to focus on apprenticeship training. Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be the potential for extension or permanency.

The application process

The scheme is open to internal and external applicants.

You don’t need to have any previous experience but APHA is looking for people with an interest in horticulture and who are analytical and confident using data. You don’t need a degree, but there is a minimum requirement for qualifications (please see the links below for more details).

Further information and how to apply for the apprenticeships can be found on Civil Service Jobs:

The closing date is Wednesday 26 August.

For further information about these roles not covered in the job adverts, please email PHSIJobs@apha.gov.uk.

More opportunities with APHA

PHSI is currently recruiting a number of roles with applications closing on Thursday 6 August. Find out more from the news story.

To make sure you don’t miss future opportunities, sign up for job alerts on Civil Service Jobs, selecting APHA as the organisation.