ShortCuts: Amazon v Taxman, Same Old Same Old Street, Childcare Freebies, Flexible Work Flex, & Traitors TED Talks...

We did it - we got through Christmas. Now, it’s a Happy New Year!? But sadly tax reforms still favour the big fish over side hustle small fry and it’s the same old, same Old Street roundabout... The UK’s stab at Silicon Valley could be described as Silly Con Valley by the tech sector.?

Kids; can’t live with them but can’t leave them home alone either. The coming year bodes well not just for parents - who have 15 hours of free childcare up for grabs - but for all as, according to Startups’ UNIQUE research, pay rises and flexible working look very 2024 too.

As for our NY resolution of honing our leadership and stakeholder management skills, we’re staying Faithful to BBC’s Traitors.

Read on for the full stories.

Side hustle tax: Amazon is paying less tax than Vinted sellers

Starbucks, Amazon, Meta and other big sellers have spent decades paying a lower tax rate than your average Joe business owner – but is their time up?

Why Old Street roundabout is London’s HS2

It was promised to level up the UK tech sector. Now, coming in over budget and after years of delay, the new Old Street roundabout is the death knell for the industry.

How to claim your 15 hours free childcare today

The newly introduced scheme from the government is offering 15 hours of funded childcare in England, easing the financial strain for working parents.

Flexible working is set to explode in 2024

After years of back-and-forth with workers, UK employers have definitively embraced remote and hybrid policies as their preferred way of working.

The Traitors series two will be all about good leadership

Five business brains will battle betrayal in the second series of BBC One’s The Traitors, which starts tonight.

You want a pay rise? Here’s how to get one in 2024

More than four out of five businesses are planning to raise employee wages this year as the cost of living continues to rise. Here’s how to lead negotiations.

And there’s more from our expert Startups team:

• Tax change chaos: everything you need to know for 2024 As if last year wasn’t taxing enough, 2024 will introduce a host of new laws on income tax, national insurance, and more. Here’s how you can prepare.
• HSBC Zing app: forex rival to Revolut and Wise launches The banking giant has debuted an international payments app to compete against digital banks who have rejuvenated the sector.
• Hot tip: hospitality sector least likely to meet pay expectations in 2024 After a year of record wage rises, hospitality businesses are on the brink and struggling to meet employee pay demands.