Rob Kilner - New Associate Member

The NICF would like to welcome Rob Kilner, a new Associate Member from Farnham in Surrey.

Curtis Benson - New Trainee Member

The NICF would like to welcome Curtis Benson, a new Trainee Member from Nottingham.

Hundreds of Employers Exposed for Underpaying Workers

The Government has released its latest list of companies that failed to pay employees the National Minimum Wage, revealing that 491 employers short-changed around 42,000 workers across the UK.

According to the figures, the named employers have been ordered to repay a total of £6 million in unpaid wages and have received fines worth £10.2 million. The amounts owed to staff varied dramatically, with one employer owing over £824,000 to more than 3,000 workers, while another owed just £245 to a single employee.

Investigations found that the most frequent causes of underpayment included not paying apprentices the correct rate, failing to implement the updated minimum wage, and not compensating employees for all the hours they worked.

In a move to strengthen workers’ rights, the Government confirmed that a new Fair Work Agency will be launched in April 2026 under the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill. The agency will take responsibility for enforcing fair pay and addressing cases where employers fail to provide statutory holiday or sick pay.

Officials said the new system aims to simplify enforcement and ensure that all workers receive the pay and protections they are entitled to.

UK Consumer Confidence Edges Higher in August Amid Mixed Economic Signals

GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index rose by two points to -17 in August, according to the latest findings from the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB), powered by NIM. Compared with July’s results, four of the five measures improved, while one declined. The CCB, jointly produced by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM)—the organisation that founded GfK—has been released collaboratively since October 2023.

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, an NIQ company, commented that the most notable movements this month were in personal finance confidence, with both the retrospective and forward-looking indicators rising by three points. He attributed this improvement partly to the Bank of England’s interest rate cut on August 7, which reduced borrowing costs to their lowest level in over two years.

Bellamy added that, while the uptick in confidence around personal finances is a positive development, several headwinds remain. Inflation, now at its highest since January 2024, and rising unemployment continue to weigh on sentiment. In addition, uncertainty surrounds the forthcoming autumn Budget and the potential for tax increases.

Despite August’s Overall Index Score of -17 marking the strongest reading of 2025 so far, Bellamy noted that confidence remains confined within a narrow range, with little indication of a decisive shift toward greater optimism. UK consumers, he said, remain in “wait-and-see” mode, and any unexpected developments could still trigger sharp changes in sentiment.

UK carpet manufacturing turnover declined in 2024

According to newly released data from the ONS, the value of carpets and rugs produced in the UK declined in 2024, with total sales dropping to £767.9 million, compared with £798.3 million in 2023. This 3.8% decrease marks the first downturn in three years, following a period of steady growth that saw turnover rise from £716.4 million in 2021 to £784.7 million in 2022, and then reach a record high in 2023.

While the 2024 figure remains well above the £587.6 million recorded in 2020, it may signal a return to more typical trading levels after the strong performance of the post-pandemic years. The decline could also reflect the broader economic difficulties faced by UK manufacturers during this time.

Company Directors - Identity Verification

From Tuesday 18 November, it will be a legal requirement for company directors to verify their identity with Companies House for each company that they are a director of, as part of the company’s next confirmation statement.

Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). 

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - From 6 April 2026

The new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax service will come into force from 6 April 2026, representing a major change to the way that self?employed individuals manage their tax. It is part of HMRC’s efforts to modernise the tax system and reduce errors and it will be phased in over the next three years, starting with individuals with a turnover over £50,000.

Rather than paying four tax bills a year, individuals will need to pay a single tax bill and use recognised software to keep records of their income and expenses. Using the software, individuals will have to send quarterly updates to HMRC, which will enable HMRC to produce an estimate of an individual’s tax bill. The deadline for payment of the tax bill will be 31 January. Individuals will need to check their eligibility for the new service and sign up in time; they will not automatically be signed up by HMRC. Further information is available in a series of FAQs published by HMRC.

Luke Parfitt - New Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome Luke Parfitt, a new Fitter Member from Pembrokeshire.

Regional reps for South East

We are pleased to confirm that Craig Emery is joining Simon Grimley as regional rep for the South East.  

Regional Representatives play an important role within the Institute, not only looking after members in their respective areas but also promoting the NICF to non-members and the wider industry.

If you would like to see more happening in your region, such as a social event or a fitting demonstration, or you have ideas you would like to share, or you just wish to have a general chat about the market place, please don't hesitate to contact your rep - click here to visit the regional reps page.

Kent Wood Flooring - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome Kent Wood Flooring, a New Retailer Member from Kent.

Floorington Limited - New Patron Member

The NICF would like to welcome Floorington Limited, a new Patron Member from Wolverhampton. 
Floorington are offering a discount to NICF members, please visit our discounts page for more details.

Woven and Woods - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome a new retailer member, Woven and Woods from Twickenham, London.

Consumer Confidence Edges Up in June

GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence Index showed a slight improvement in June, rising two points to -18. Of the five measures that make up the index, two moved higher while three held steady compared to May. The findings come from the Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB), jointly produced by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM) since October 2023.

Commenting on the results, Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, noted:
“Overall confidence among consumers has inched upwards in June, gaining two points to reach -18. This uplift is largely due to more optimistic views of the wider economy, with assessments of the past 12 months improving by three points and expectations for the year ahead up by five points.  However, households remain cautious about their own finances. Both backward- and forward-looking personal financial situation scores were unchanged from May. Inflation continues to weigh heavily on day-to-day life, and with petrol prices expected to climb following renewed conflict in the Middle East, alongside uncertainty around tariffs, there are still considerable pressures at play. In such a volatile climate, it is too early to expect a clear path back to sustained confidence.”

Tribunal Rules Retailers Not Liable for VAT on External Flooring Fitting

A VAT tribunal has ruled that retailers selling flooring are not responsible for VAT on installation work carried out by independent fitters, in a decision that could have wide-reaching implications across the industry.

HMRC had argued that supplying and fitting flooring amounted to a single taxable transaction, meaning VAT should be charged on both elements. The case centred on Thompsons Carpets in Mansfield, a United Carpets franchisee, against whom HMRC had originally raised a £375,000 assessment.

Although HMRC later withdrew that claim in May 2021, the authority continued to pursue the wider issue. By late 2021, further assessments totalling almost £497,000 were issued, covering the period February 2018 to November 2021.

The First Tier Tribunal, presided over by Judge Natsai Manyarara and Justice of the Peace John Agboola, heard the case earlier this year. In its detailed judgment, the panel sided with United Carpets, making several key findings:

• The agreement between United and its customers was for the purchase of flooring only, not fitting services.
• United’s involvement in fitting was limited to introducing customers to independent fitters.
• Fitters contracted directly with customers and were paid by them, not by United.
• In-store signage made clear that United did not provide fitting services.
• The commercial reality was that fitters were independent operators, not subcontractors of United.
• Flooring supply and fitting could not be treated as a single supply, since they were provided by different parties.

As a result, the tribunal concluded that VAT on fitting services is not the responsibility of retailers in such arrangements.

HMRC has until 22 September to decide whether to appeal. A spokesperson said the department is “carefully considering our next steps.”

The full ruling is available via the National Archives: FTT decision

Barrow Clark Complete Furnishers Ltd - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome Barrow Clark Complete Furnishers Ltd, a new Retailer Member from Devon.

Royal Mail Delivery Changes

Royal Mail has confirmed that 2nd Class letters will now be delivered every other weekday, reflecting the fact that fewer letters are being sent. It will aim to deliver all 2nd Class mail, as well as standard bulk business letters, within three weekdays, compared to the previous target of two days.

Potters Carpets and Beds - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome Potters Carpets and Beds, a new Retailer Member from Leicestershire.

Maestri - New Patron Member

The NICF would like to welcome Maestri a new Patron Member from Caerphilly in Wales.

Mittons Ltd - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome Mittons Ltd, a new Retailer Member from Leicester.

Carpet Gallery - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome Carpet Gallery, a new Retailer Member from Gwent in South Wales.