News – Page 32

  • Article

    BT calls out to managers using performance perks

    2005-09-01T00:00:01Z

    BT has introduced flexible benefits for its 27,000 managers to complement a recently revamped performance and appraisal system.The telecommunications firm also expects to extend the plan to its entire workforce following the initial roll out.The organisation has made a number of changes to the job families of its managers and ...

  • Article

    Dorking firms rally to rid roads of cars

    2005-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Employers in Dorking have established a green travel plan that could act as a blueprint for employers in other regions.Under the plan, commuters are being encouraged out of their cars with the offer of a replacement bus service, available to employees who work for several large employers based near Dorking.The ...

  • Article

    Feature - Buyers Guide to fleet management

    2005-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Curtis Hutchinson explains why contract hire has become the most popular form of fleet funding, as he weighs up tax and other procurement issuesArticle in fullThe company car may be a bruised and battered benefit but its desirability among employees is alive and well with fleet sales this year outstripping ...

  • Article

    Merger taxes civil servants

    2005-08-01T00:00:01Z

    HM Revenue and Customs is in the process of an extensive benefits revamp following the merger of Customs and the Inland Revenue.The merger took place in April and the organisation is currently combining the pay and benefits packages of the two departments.Dave Clarke, head of transport and travel at the ...

  • Article

    Congestion charge hike hits John Lewis

    2005-08-01T00:00:01Z

    John Lewis has estimated that the increase in London's congestion charge will cost its company car fleet up to an additional £100,000.From July, the cost of driving into central London rose from £5 to £8 a car, with company cars registered with Transport for London's fleet service seeing an increase ...

  • Article

    Research update - Cash-for-car options rising

    2005-08-01T00:00:01Z

    Some 70% of employers offer company car drivers a choice between a car and a cash allowance. The average annual car allowance for company bosses is £10,300, while senior managers receive an average of £8,200. For those that choose to take a car, some 40% of organisations allow staff to ...

  • Article

    News update - Roman opts for German chariots

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Shower manufacturer Roman has rewarded the good performance of retail managers with a new fleet of VW Passat cars.The County Durham-based company has signed a three-year contract hire deal, including full maintenance, with DaimlerChrysler Services Fleet Management. It is the first time Roman has opted for contract hire, having previously ...

  • Article

    Rivals force Fortis to action

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Fortis Bank has introduced an all employee car ownership plan (Aecop) after new staff that had experienced such deals at competitors demanded similar offers.Jeanette Heydn, HR director at the financial services firm, said: "For people who want to be driving a relatively new car, it's a perfect solution if you ...

  • Article

    Environmentally friendly cars

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Ministers go green as Labour gets hybridsThe Story: The Government is adding hybrid vehicles to its ministerial company car fleet in a bid to meet its own CO2 emissions targets.Ministers are being encouraged to swap existing Rover or Jaguar models for the petrol-electric Toyota Prius.The Government Car Service, which runs ...

  • Article

    Newsagent to outsource fleet

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Newsagents group TM Retail has outsourced the management of its company car to fleet provider Leasedrive. The firm, which trades under the Furbuoys and Dillon high street brands, is using the deal to monitor the maintenance and tyre spend of its 450-large fleet.

  • Article

    Drop in staff taking company cars

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    The number of employees that took a company car in the last tax year has dropped. According to statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, 1.3m drivers chose a car last year, compared with 1.37m the previous year. The numbers taking fuel as a taxable benefit has also fallen.For more on ...

  • Article

    Fleet safety takes back seat as cash becomes king

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    An alarming number of organisations are unaware of the risks of shedding company cars, according to a report by fleet provider Alphabet.Its Cars, cash, care and control report shows that over 300,000 business drivers have moved out of company cars since 2001 in favour of cash allowance arrangements.As a result, ...

  • Article

    Miele reduces fleet insurance costs

    2005-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Kitchen and appliance manufacturer Miele has seen a 20% reduction in accident rates following the introduction of a driver training programme. The scheme involves around 50 staff and has reduced the company's insurance premiums by £20,000. Miele, which operates over 70 company cars in the UK, has brought in one-day ...

  • Article

    Barclays launches all-employee car ownership plan

    2005-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Barclays has introduced an all-employee car ownership plan that undercuts high street vehicle prices.Head of benefits Catherine Redmond said the scheme was proving popular: “[It’s] generating huge interest. The deals we’re getting are definitely better than you can get on the street. It’s for everyone, we’re actually making it available ...

  • Article

    Over three-fifths plan fleet review

    2005-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Some 61% of employers plan to review fleet funding methods this year, while 40% believe the 3% tax change on diesel cars will result in a drop in demand. Research by ALD Automotive shows that a proposal to ban drivers from using speed detection devices is opposed by 76% of ...

  • Article

    Few employers check company car drivers' licences

    2005-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Only 21% of organisations check company car drivers' licences on an annual basis, according to Bank of Scotland's Company car driver report 2005 survey.And more than one-third (37%) have never checked the licences of staff.The research by the fleet management provider also shows that 51% of company car drivers are ...

  • Article

    Product news - Get-you-home guarantee offered

    2005-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Lloyds TSB Autolease has introduced a get-you-home guarantee to employers to ensure minimal disruption caused by company car breakdowns and accidents.The fleet management provider is to provide a free replacement vehicle for 48 hours if breakdown service RAC is unable to repair the car on-site. Temporary vehicles are provided through ...

  • Article

    Somerfield's fleet to save £1m

    2005-05-01T00:00:01Z

    Somerfield is set to save £1 million over three years by outsourcing its company car fleet. The supermarket group used to run its fleet in-house from a local Bristol garage, but outsourced the scheme last month. Martin Richards, finance executive, said: "We are not in the business of running a ...

  • Article

    New car plan for resort staff

    2005-05-01T00:00:01Z

    Holiday resort company Center Parcs is combating a lack of public transport access for staff by introducing an all-employee car ownership plan. Margaret Hall, HR and reward manager at the leisure park operator, said that due to the rural settings of the resort locations, they are not well served by ...

  • Article

    Neopost uses text IT to help run fleet

    2005-05-01T00:00:01Z

    Mailroom equipment supplier Neopost plans to take advantage of text message technology to run its company car scheme. The company has outsourced the running of its 230 company cars to fleet provider Leasedrive to fulfil its duty of care obligations. It will use automated text messages and an online system ...