In Brief

E YORKS: Businesses will be targeted by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this month after thousands failed to submit their VAT returns.

More than 600,000 businesses have to put in VAT returns each month and most do so on time.

But in a new campaign, some 50,000 will be warned that, from February 28, their tax affairs will attract greater attention.

The VAT Outstanding Returns campaign is aimed at businesses that have one or more VAT return outstanding, and have been told to submit their returns but have not done so.

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Some will have received an assessment of VAT for these periods.

These businesses are being given an opportunity to get up to date and pay the tax they owe by February 28. After that, HMRC will target them and take a much closer look at their tax affairs.

Marian Wilson, head of HMRC campaigns, said: "If they have not submitted their outstanding VAT returns and paid what they owe, HMRC will use its legal powers to pursue outstanding returns."

HULL: Plans to bring financial education to youngsters in the city have been unveiled.

The Personal Finance Education Group announced a new partnership with information services company Experian, which it said will help it rapidly expand a financial education programme already running in some schools.

The charity, which has been among those campaigning for financial education to be placed on the national curriculum, said 20 more schools in some of the most financially disadvantaged areas will be transformed into centres of excellence in financial education.

It said Experian will fund the development of the schools, making them "beacons of best practice" in teaching young people about how to manage their money.

EAST HULL: The Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union will be offering free debt advice during a safe borrowing event at the Freedom Centre in Preston Road on Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm.