Elizabeth Wood

Did you know that the Cyber Resilience Centre is a police-led partnership providing affordable, professional cybersecurity services to businesses in the North West?

Make UK’s recent report, ‘Cyber Resilience – The Last Line of Defence’ revealed that just under half of Britain’s manufacturers (47%) have been the victim of cybercrime. 63% said that cyber-attacks cost their business up to £5,000, with 22% saying it cost their business between £5,000 – £25,000. Our affordable, professional cyber security services can help to provide security, stability and safety to your organisation. With Cyber Resilience Centre members accessing cyber security policy templates, a free Cyber Health Check and our Cyber Incident Response Plan. For more information, click here.

Cyber Security Matters: Grow and Strengthen your Resilience to Online Crime.
We offer a range of cyber security services delivered by a team of trusted professionals, seconded police officers and innovative ethical hackers. They work with academia, private sector, public sector and leading cyber organisations to offer the very best training, guidance and services to your businesses. Businesses have continued to see a rise in cyber attacks this year, in particular ransomware
attacks, as cyber criminals’ methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Ransomware attacks are an increasing concern for businesses, criminals encrypt your businesses’ data and offer to give it back in exchange for a sum of money. This can be crippling and quite scary for any business, especially when you haven’t started your cyber security journey.

Talk to us today to discuss what we can do to support your business. Becoming a member of the Cyber Resilience Centre will provide vital information and insight to help you to develop
your plan to be more secure online and includes:
● Cyber Security Training provides simple and effective knowledge for people to understand their environment and provides the confidence to challenge themselves
when something doesn’t look right.
● Training includes takeaway materials and actions so your team can integrate the security measures into your organisation and create a recognised cyber champion.
● Ensure your business has the most recent cybersecurity policies and procedures in place using our templates. These help staff put the right measures in place to ensure your business has clear security strategies and can respond efficiently if an incident occurs.
● A simulated phishing exercise helps to raise your staff’s awareness of phishing emails and guards your business against the growing trend of social-engineering threats. By training your employees on what a phishing attack looks like, they are more likely to identify and report scams.

Got a question about Cyber? Let’s set up a consultation and review what current security measures you have in place and answer any questions you have about cyber security.
To learn more about what the Cyber Resilience Centre can offer your business please email Niomie – niomie@nwcrc.co.uk
Tel: 0161 706 0940
Email: info@nwcrc.co.uk
Web: https://www.nwcrc.co.uk/

As a business that services many other companies, Cara Technology are determined to show their clients that they take cyber security seriously. Hence why they have gone through the Government scheme Cyber Essentials themselves.

Not only have they gone through Cyber Essentials, but they went a stage further and gained their Cyber Essentials Plus certification – something they’re very proud of and shows their dedication to top-level security. They’ll be renewing this for a third time in February 2023.

Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective Government backed scheme that will help you to protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber-attacks.

Find out more details about Cyber Essentials HERE and watch a short video that Rob Gibbons (Cara Technology Account Manager) made with Mostyn Thompson –  an IASME-accredited consultant.

If you’d like to show your clients and prospects that your business takes Cyber security seriously and show that you can be trusted, and build confidence with Cyber Essentials, send Rob and the team at Cara Technology a message robert@cara.uk.com

In October 2021 Cheshire East Highways implemented new winter gritting routes following a lengthy process of development and consultation. They are keen to engage with local employers in Cheshire East to help their employees familiarise themselves with the areas of the highway network that are treated in the Borough.

The current winter service gritting routes can be found via the link below and are shown with the black and white lines.

https://maps.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ce/webmapping?&e=378220.01&n=364472.00&layers=TN_S_Gritting2021_LINE_CURRENT&s=250000.00&bm=oscolour

They will review the gritting routes every year to consider if changes are required.

Although key routes across Cheshire East are treated, they cannot ensure that all roads will be completely clear of snow or ice, so are advising all to please take care – especially on untreated roads. Motorists are encouraged to use roads on the treated network in times of frost, snow and ice.  Where journeys on the untreated roads are necessary, motorists should drive to the conditions, slow down, keep a distance from other vehicles and avoid harsh braking.

You can follow daily gritting actions on Twitter @CECHighways twitter

For more information on Cheshire East winter services follow the link below:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/road-maintenance/gritting-and-snow-clearance.aspx

 

CAPITAL GAINS TAX ALLOWANCE SLASHED BY OVER FIFTY PERCENT IN CHANCELLOR’S AUTUMN STATEMENT

Now even those with modest share portfolios might find themselves paying CGT for the first time

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt decided in his Autumn Statement 2022 to reduce the capital gains tax (CGT) allowance. CGT is a tax on any gain made when a person sells or disposes of an asset that has increased in value. With tax payable on any gain, the tax-free allowance will be reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023 and from April 2024 will be set at £3,000.

“CGT was always going to be a potential target for the Treasury, with a ‘cost of living crisis’ putting the majority of UK households under extra budgetary pressure, the optics in targeting CGT, given it is paid by fewer people, are clear.” said Partner and Head of Wealth Protection at Price Slater Gawne, Laura Bywater.

She added: “Those who now fall within the CGT remit will certainly have to consider timing the ‘disposal’ of their assets in the most tax efficient way.  They may even hold-off selling assets altogether during these unfavourable conditions.   However, as there is time before the changes take effect in April 2023, I foresee a rush in those wishing to dispose of assets before this date, to crystalise their gains in advance of the implementation date.”

“Even those with the ‘modest share portfolios might find themselves paying CGT for the first time.  It will be new territory for many”

Laura continued: “Since Trusts are eligible for half the CGT allowance of an individual, the same concerns above apply to trustees as well.  Trusts will certainly be a useful tool in CGT planning here, as they can be used to quickly crystalise the gain on a disposal under the current regime and before the implementation date of the less favourable new regime.”

Commenting on the speculation in the run up to the Autumn Statement, Laura concluded: “Pre-Autumn statement, I had leaned towards the idea that the Treasury may increase the actual rates of CGT itself, possibly in line with inheritance tax (currently at 40%) or income tax rates, as this would have been a much more lucrative option. However, it is a very surprising move nonetheless as it is unlikely to raise significant revenue to plug the £55bn hole in public finances.”

Led by directors Victoria Price, Mark Slater and Christopher Gawne, Price Slater Gawne is an Altrincham-based Law firm founded in 2010 and offers legal expertise in the fields of Wealth Protection, Court of Protection, Clinical Negligence, Serious Injury, Divorce & Family Law.

Price Slater Gawne has grown significantly over the past two years, recruiting at all levels. In the past two years revenue has grown by 64% and headcount has doubled to 70.

The firm is recognised in the prestigious legal directories Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 and is noted for its work on multiple complex and high-profile cases.

 

Black Friday is back for 2022 – Friday 25th November

It’s become a tradition for retailers to have “unbelievable” sales just before Christmas, often known as Black Friday sales. These events are attractive to everybody, including Cyber Criminals. Such events are an ideal opportunity for them to prey on the innocent. Black Friday, together with the current cost of living crisis has created the perfect recipe for target scams.

If you really want to stay safe ideally, you’d visit the shop to make your purchase, however, online shopping offers greater convenience to shopping outside of normal retail hours.

If you really need to buy online, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST, otherwise, your online purchase may cost more than you originally thought! Last year on Black Friday weekend the average scam value was £1000.

Scams rose by 34% in 2021 from 2020 and are predicted to rise again in 2022.

Social Media can play a large part in the way scammers present unbelievable offers as well as target potential victims by email.

If the offer seems too good to be true it usually is and should be avoided.

9 out of 10 people look to save money on Christmas gifts during the Black Friday sales.

Ross Martin, head of digital safety at Barclays, says: ‘Whilst Black Friday is a great way for Britons to save money ahead of the Christmas season, it is important to stay vigilant when making purchases. This year more than ever, people will be looking for the best bargains, which could lead them right into the hands of scammers, who will be advertising false offers to lure victims in.”

Scammers often use time pressure as a way to lure you in such as ‘offer only valid for next 4 hours!’  The fear of missing out on such a good deal can often cloud your judgement.

Well-known retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Boots are often featured in social media scams. Post using their company logos stating, ‘Like and share this post to receive your £100 gift card/voucher.”

Further advice about scams can be found on the Nation Cyber Security Centre [read more].

Three Actions:

Pause – Pause for thought. Think before paying for anything and about what information you are sharing

Question – Is this fake? If you’re being pushed, you will make mistakes (and they could be costly)

Safeguard – If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank/card provider immediately.  

If you have to buy online, make sure the website is HTTPS:// (the S is a significant character) and it should also display a locked padlock.

If you have any questions or would like to have a private chat about staying safe when making online purchases, you can book to speak with Rob Gibbons – Cara Technology –  via the calendar here: https://cara.uk.com/robertgibbons

Get into the Christmas spirit with a mini-break in the run-up to the festive season. Escape to Brussels, Budapest, Frankfurt and many more direct from Manchester, with prices from only £44.98 return per person.

The clocks have changed, the nights are drawing in and Christmas is around the corner and what better way, then, to start the countdown than with a trip to one of Europe’s premier Christmas markets? In cities across the continent, the stalls are being prepared, the mulled wine will soon start flowing, and if you want a slice of the action, Manchester Airport has you covered, with low fares starting from just £44.98 return per person.

Here we profile some of the best destinations for a yuletide getaway served directly from the UK’s global gateway in the North – with tips on what to see and what to try.

Berlin

• Christmas markets open from Monday 21 November
• Flights from £93.04pp return (10 – 12 Dec) return with Ryanair. easyJet also serves Berlin.

Berlin offers an abundance of Christmas markets. The beautiful Gendarmenmarkt boasts a dizzying selection of exclusive Christmas crafts and decorations along with great food and drink, whilst the market outside the City Hall is more family-oriented and offers activities such as ice skating and fairground rides. Besides its Christmas markets, Germany’s capital also offers world-famous sites such as the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall.

Brussels

• Christmas markets open from Friday 25 November.
• Flights from £101.58pp return with Brussels Airlines.

The ‘Winter Wonders’ Brussels Christmas Market will be open between 25^th November and 1^st January. More than 200 wooden chalets with food, drinks and Christmas decorations give you the chance to delve into Belgian Christmas traditions and sample some of the world’s finest beers and chocolates.

Budapest

• Christmas markets open from Friday 18 November.
• Flights from £89.23pp return (26 Nov – 1 Dec) return with Ryanair. Jet2.com also serves this route.

Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market is held in front of the St. Stephen Basilica, brimming with food, drink and handicrafts. Hungarian honey cookies are a Christmas staple, and the city’s waterfront bars make for a great retreat once you’re done with shopping for the day.

Cologne

• Christmas markets open from Monday 21 November.
• Flights from £92pp return (28 Nov – 2 Dec) with Jet2.com. Ryanair also serves Cologne.

Cologne’s most iconic landmark, the tallest twin-spired cathedral in the world, towers over its largest Christmas market. There are several other smaller markets that are well worth a look, however – including the Stadtgarten Christmas market, set in a city park with an emphasis on handmade souvenirs and decorations.

Frankfurt

• Christmas markets open from Monday 21 November.
• Flights from £182pp return with Lufthansa.

Tracing its origins to the 14^th Century, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the oldest in the world. A traditional market decorated with thousands of lights that offer a variety of Christmas specialities and decorations. Christmas cups are the special thing about the Frankfurt market, with a special cup design being unveiled each year so make sure you do not miss on this year’s design.

Gothenburg

• Christmas markets open from Saturday 19 November, but not daily (further details here).
• Flights from £44.98pp return (02 – 05 Dec) with Ryanair.

If you’re travelling as a family, the Gothenburg Christmas Market is a stand-out pick. Located in one of Sweden’s most popular tourist attractions, the Liseberg amusement park, it offers all of the standard Christmas market fare, including Swedish specialities such as cinnamon buns, but brings a more interactive twist with ice skating, carol concerts and a mini-Lapland. Liseberg’s rides and rollercoasters are open, too, at an additional price.

Geneva

• Christmas markets open from Thursday 17 November.
• Flights from £185pp return (17 – 20 Dec) with Jet2.com. Geneva is also served by Ethiopian Airlines, easyJet and TUI.

The Geneva Christmas Market is ideal for foodies and ski lovers. Besides the traditional stalls, with a new offering every week, and cultural events in the Jardin Anglais, these markets’ USP is a dedicated street food section where world flavours meet local specialities including the famous raclette and fondue. Mont Blanc, the heart of the Alps, is under 100km away and it is more than possible to combine a trip to Geneva’s Christmas Markets with a visit to one of Europe’s finest ski resorts.

Prague

• Christmas markets open from Saturday 26 November.
• Flights from £83.73pp return (28 Nov – 03 Dec) with Ryanair. easyJet and Jet2.com also serve Prague.

Prague celebrates Christmas with a number of smaller, more intimate markets spread across the city, serving mulled wine and traditional sweet pastries, in addition to souvenirs and handicrafts. The historic Old Town is a tourist draw year-round but takes on a unique ambience at Christmas, with a lively nightlife scene.

Vienna

• Christmas markets open from Saturday 19 November.
• Flights from £68.23pp return (14 – 19 Dec) with Ryanair. Austrian Airlines and Jet2.com also serve this route.

The Austrian capital’s Christmas markets lay claim to being the world’s biggest and are among its oldest, too. Centred on the Rathaus (City Hall) and marketed as the ‘Viennese Dream’, Vienna’s Christmas Market offers an incredible variety of gifts, food and drink, traditions and activities for visitors of all ages. The city’s renowned galleries, museums and opera houses also take on a festive atmosphere and offer respite from the winter cold.

**All prices correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage.