News

HMRC Self Assessment reminders

HMRC wants to help you get your tax right. You are responsible for telling HMRC about your income using Self Assessment if you’re: • Self-employed as a sole trader earning more than £1,000 • A partner in a business partnership • A director of a limited company.

If you’re not already registered for Self Assessment but should be, you need to do this as soon as possible. You need to register no later than 5 October after the end of the tax year for which you need to file a tax return. For example, if you need to file a tax return for the 2021-2022 tax year, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment no later than 5 October 2022. For more information about Self Assessment and registering, go to GOV.UK and search ‘Register for Self Assessment’.

If you’re sending HMRC a paper tax return for the 2021-2022 tax year, the deadline is getting close. You only have until midnight on 31 October to do this. If you’re submitting your tax return online, you have a later deadline of 31 January 2023.

For information about completing and submitting tax returns, go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment tax return forms’.

Not telling HMRC about your income using Self Assessment, or submitting your tax return late, could mean that HMRC charges you penalties and interest.

For queries about Self Assessment, go to GOV.UK or call HMRC’s Self Assessment Helpline.

CO safety warning over Belling, Stoves and New World gas grills

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a safety warning relating to the use of gas grills on certain Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers manufactured by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA).

If the gas grill is used with the door closed, there is a risk that dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up, posing a significant risk of serious injury or death to those within the immediate environment.

Models affected by this safety warning include 110cm, 100cm and 90cm models and may have been purchased at any time between 2010 and 2022.

OPSS has issued safety requirements to GDHA, which is writing to all consumers reminding them to only use their gas grill with the grill door fully open.

OPSS chief executive Graham Russell said: “I urge consumers to ensure the door is always kept fully open when the grill is in operation, and remind all consumers of the importance of following the safety instructions for their gas cookers.

“Glen Dimplex has issued this warning following instructions from OPSS. We will monitor their actions and hold them to account.”

To read the warning and see the list of appliances affected, go to www.gov.uk and search for Glen Dimplex.

New requirements on CO alarms

New requirements on installing carbon monoxide alarms come into force in England next month (October).

The government has published guidance supporting the requirements for smoke and CO alarms in all rented homes, and for CO alarms when boilers are installed in new and existing homes, irrespective of tenure.

The key changes are: • CO alarms will be mandatory in rooms with any fixedcombustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in privately rented homes and social housing • CO alarms will also be mandatory when any fixed combustion appliance is

installed or replaced, excluding gas cookers, in all homes. • Smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social housing.

This is already a requirement in privately rented homes.

The requirements are set out in the new edition of Approved Document J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems, which comes into effect on 1 October 2022.

The Approved Document also sets out updated guidance on the type of CO alarms to be fitted: • They should comply with BS EN 50291 • They should powered by a battery designed to operate for their working life and be able to alert users when this is coming to its end • Alternatively, a mains-powered alarm with fixed wiring (not plug-in) should be fitted, provided that the alarm has a sensor failure warning device.

Alarms should have an output function for triggering ancillary devices such as remote alarms or specialist alarms for older people and those with disabilities.

The CO alarm should be located in the same room as the combustion appliance and on the ceiling at least 300mm from any wall, or on a wall as high up as possible (above any doors and windows) but not within 150mm of the ceiling. The alarm should be sited between 1m and 3m horizontally from the appliance.

Now’s the time to get a gas safety check, says HSE

HSE is encouraging people to get their gas checks done before the weather turns colder and households use more gas.

Gas appliances should be checked regularly and regular servicing can also help them run more efficiently and, in turn, save money on household bills.

Help is available for people struggling to pay for checks, says HSE. In some circumstances, suppliers can offer free gas safety checks through the Priority Services Register. Households can find more advice and information by contacting their gas supplier.

Recent domestic gas incidents have attracted significant media coverage and HSE is reassuring people they need to be careful but not unduly concerned.

John Rowe, HSE policy lead for gas safety, says: “Gas is an incredibly safe way of fuelling your house. Serious incidents are still extremely rare, although of course for those involved they can be devastating.

“We should all be careful and not unduly concerned about using gas in our homes. We’re encouraging householders to get a gas check. Doing so could save them money in the long run but will also keep them safe.”

Plumber refused to answer questions over gas work

A Wakefield plumber who was suspected of carrying out dangerous gas work illegally has been fined after failing to answer questions put to him by an HSE inspector.

In February 2020, Luke Rodgers was alleged to have carried out illegal gas work to replace a boiler at a house in Tingley, Wakefield. The new boiler was left in such a dangerous condition that a registered gas engineer who attended the house had to make it safe by disconnecting it from the gas supply.

During an HSE interview under caution, Mr Rodgers claimed to have been hired to do the installation work only up to the point where it would then be connected to the gas supply.

He claimed that he had arranged for a friend who was registered to complete all the gas work. Mr Rodgers also stated that another friend had assisted him with general labouring at the property.

Refused to identify

During the interview, Mr Rodgers was unwilling to provide the identity of either person, which is an offence because it prevented the inspector from following reasonable lines of enquiry as part of the investigation.

At Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court, Luke Rodgers of Chapel Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(e) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £583 and ordered to pay costs of £1,500.

After the hearing, HSE inspector David Beaton said: “The defendant blatantly failed to comply with a requirement under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

“This prosecution would not have happened had the defendant provided the information.

“Hopefully, this will send a warning to others that failing to comply with Her Majesty’s inspectors while they exercise their lawful powers will not be condoned by the HSE.”

New policy group chair for HHIC

Jeff House is the new chair of HHIC’s Policy Group. The head of external affairs at Baxi has been in the industry for more than 20 years, with a strong background in legislation and policy for the residential and commercial heating sector.

Jeff will work with HHIC members to help shape the industry position and narrative relating to legislation. He says: “Energy transition and building stock decarbonisation represent a huge challenge but also a great opportunity for the industry.

“We are in the midst of a crucial time for policy development and there is a real need for a balanced and coherent narrative to ensure a just outcome for UK consumers.”

Competition winner

The winner of our competition in July was Chris Dyer from Sherborne in Dorset. Chris has won a Martindale TB118KIT1 electrical safety kit, which includes tools for live voltage indication and earth loop verification, together with fused spur and MCB locking-off devices. Congratulations!

Tree-planting initiative grows into new app

Viessmann’s ViMoveForClimate programme is to be made permanent via an activity tracking app. Anyone can download and use the app to improve their health and wellbeing while making a contribution to environmental conservation.

Launched in 2020, ViMove started as a 14-day campaign for Viessmann employees. If they ran or walked 1km or cycled 3km, Viessmann donated a tree. The first campaign resulted in more than 64,000 new trees.

The programme has been re-run twice, evolving to include participants outside the company, and with more activities. In 2021, the milestone of 1 million trees was reached, equating to 10,000 tons of CO2 captured per year.

Now Viessmann has made ViMove permanent rather than campaign-based. The ViMove activity tracking app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

There are almost 40 qualifying activities, including yoga, skiing and even jumping jacks. The app lets people track their own contributions and see how they fare in a global leader board. A tree will be planted for every 30km of cycling or 10km of walking or running, and for every 90 minutes of swimming, climbing, football or gym workouts.

Chris Bielby MBE (1954–2022)

Chris Bielby MBE, trustee and former chair of the CO Research Trust, died on 22 July 2022. He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in November 2020, and faced this terrible condition with great stoicism, bravery and dignity, write his colleagues, paying tribute to him.

Chris spent his whole career in the gas industry, advancing through the ranks at regional level and then at British Gas’s head office. Following the organisation’s privatisation and then splitting up of British Gas plc in 1997, he joined Centrica. With increasingly senior roles came greater responsibility, not only for improvements in service quality and technical standards but also nationally, representing the industry in the drive to improve its safety record.

To this end, there developed a concern that a coordinating body was needed to ensure that there were no safety gaps in the newly liberalised and fast-moving privatised industry, and this led to the creation of the Gas Industry Safety Group, which Chris chaired from 2000 until his death.

Chris was a trustee of the CO Research Trust (formerly the Gas Safety Trust) and was its chair for more than 10 years, remaining an active contributor despite his illness, sharing his insights and knowledge. He was active in the All Party Parliamentary CO Group, a past president and fellow of IGEM, and a trustee of the National Gas Museum.

His commitment to improving the industry to which he devoted his professional life was second to none, making it safer for employees and customers alike, supporting initiatives to minimise its environmental impact, as well as those that ensure security of supply. He was awarded an MBE in 2012 in recognition of his work.

Chris made a lasting impression on everyone who met him and leaves an irreplaceable gap in our organisation, and we will miss his expertise, guidance, and especially his sense of fun. Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Chair, CO Research Trust; co-chair, All Party Parliamentary CO Group.

Home of Green Heating

With the Government’s decarbonisation target to achieve net zero by 2050, we’re here to support you.

We’re committed to helping you and your customers choose the right product today, while also providing you with the necessary training and knowledge to prepare your business for the future.

To discover the five key future technologies, please visit

worcester-bosch.co.uk/future-industry

Free servicing and repairs for families of children battling cancer

A Midlands plumbing and heating company is offering free servicing to the families of children undergoing treatment for cancer.

Custom Heat, based in Rugby, Warwickshire, has chosen the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust as its charity of the year, and will provide free boiler servicing and repairs to local families who are being supported by the charity.

The company is providing the labour at no cost, and is also making an initial £1,000 in funding available to cover any parts that may be required, as well as donating £2,500.

The £2,500 will fund 10 support grants for families at the new diagnosis stage, relapse stage or in the case of bereavement. Custom Heat’s 100-strong team will also be fundraising in and around the local area at fairs, business events and through sponsored activities.

The company’s managing director Lincoln Smith says: “If a boiler crisis happens, we can be there the same or next day to get it running again and the cost of parts will come out of the fund we have created. By offering annual servicing, we will also prevent a proportion of future breakdowns and ensure these families going through very emotional times have one less thing to worry about.”

L-R: Lincoln Smith; Jen Kelly, GKCCT CEO, Amy Casati, family support worker; Coralie Hudson, fundraiser; Sophie Myers, charity co-ordinator

Mr Combi packs up his tools

Mr Combi is retiring after 45 years on the tools and 20 years of training gas engineers. At the age of 74, George Staszak says it’s time to pass on the training side of his Bedford business to someone new.

“A very big thank you to Phil Bunce at Worcester Bosch for supporting us from the very beginning, Paul Priston at Danfoss, Ian Trott at Baxi, Vaillant, Drayton, Honeywell and Russell Armstrong at Hotun, for supplying boilers, rigs, controls – and Gas Safe Register for technical support,” says George.

“And a very big thank you to all 5,000 [gas engineers] who have been here and supported us: we hope it made a difference.”

Hydrogen will play critical role, says Climate Change Committee chief

Hydrogen is crucial to reaching net-zero by 2050, Climate Change Committee CEO Chris Stark has said while on a tour of hydrogen projects in the UK. Producing and distributing enough of the gas will be one of the defining energy challenges over the coming years.

The CCC delegation, hosted by IGEM, examined how the various research, demonstration and pilot projects are working together to build a new hydrogen economy, touring facilities around the north of England and exploring their work.

Chris Stark said: “Our analysis has demonstrated multiple pathways to net zero in the UK. In all of them, it’s clear we will need a lot of clean hydrogen. Defining the roles that hydrogen will eventually play – its production, transmission and distribution – are now some of the defining energy challenges facing the country.

“After three days in the north of England, I’m struck by how quickly projects are now moving to implementation. That’s great news, and entirely in line with the advice of the Climate Change Committee. But government and industry must keep up the pace. The growth of clean hydrogen is critical on the path to net zero.”

The group visited the HyNet industrial cluster project in Ellesmere Port, the H21 hydrogen testing facility at the HSE’s Science & Research Centre in Buxton, the Hydrogen homes and HyDeploy hydrogen blending rig in Gateshead, and the DNV Spadeadam Research & Testing Site near Carlisle.

Bristol home for Daikin renewables centre

Bristol saw a new air source heat pump showroom open recently, launched by the region’s PHC Renewables.

Visitors to the Daikin Sustainable Home Centre can find out about air source heat pump technology and sit down with an expert to discuss the best solution for heating and cooling their home, before they’re partnered with a trusted local installer.

As well as providing a hub for homeowners, the centre houses a heat pump training centre to help heating installers diversify into renewable heating solutions.

The centre’s opening was attended by VIPs including Councillor Kye Dudd, Southmead’s Cabinet Member for Waste, Energy, Climate Change and Ecology and football legend Harry Redknapp.

Guests were invited to look around the new centre, meet experts from PHC Renewables and Daikin and see the latest heat pump technology.

Iain Bevan, Daikin’s commercial manager, heating and renewables, says: “It’s important that homeowners who want to go green can access expert advice and guidance.

“Being able to explore and discuss heat pump technology in person is vital, as is knowing that it will be installed by a highly trained professional. And that’s what our Sustainable Home Centres are all about.”