Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Research reveals nine out of ten people want a computer at home - UK's most ‘secret' tax break – HCI – could save workers £5 billion a year

Research reveals nine out of ten people want a computer at home

UK’s most ‘secret’ tax break – HCI – could save workers £5 billion a year


A massive nine out of 10 workers in the UK would like the opportunity to have a computer or laptop at home, according to new research released today (3 September 2004) by Fujitsu Siemens Computers.

The research also found that over seventy per cent (71.6 per cent) of those that don’t currently have a home computer would opt for one through the Home Computing Initiative (HCI), when the scheme was described to them. This Government-backed initiative could save UK workers up to £5 billion worth of tax every a year. It allows workers to have a computer at home for up to 40 per cent off the high street price.

Through HCI, employees lease a computer from their Employer, paying a fixed amount from their salary each month over a typical period of three years. In return, they get massive tax savings. An employee, for example, earning over £35,000 year who leases a Fujitsu Siemens Computers Amilo Laptop worth £1500 can save over £196 a year in tax and National Insurance savings. With over 28 million employed people in the UK the potential tax savings would be more than £5 billion.

Businesses will also benefit from the scheme. Employers that have already created an HCI scheme have seen increased employee satisfaction through better perks, improved IT skills, less of a drain on the IT department and National Insurance savings. Siemens Plc, for example, have saved over £900,000 over the past three years with over 9000 of their employees participating in their HCI scheme.

Fujitsu-Siemens is a leader in HCI schemes, having run schemes for over four years with 1000's of employees for companies across the UK. The company, which is the UK’s fastest growing IT vendor, today calls on all workers to encourage their companies to set up an HCI scheme.

Ian Snadden, Director of Channel, SME and HCI Sales at Fujitsu Siemens Computers, explains:

“HCI is one of the UK’s biggest secret tax breaks. Millions of employees across the country are unaware that they can quickly and easily have a new computer at home for up to forty per cent of the normal retail price. Our research shows that workers up and down the country want a computer at home and the HCI scheme is the answer. we are calling on employers to take heed and to look into how they can set up one of these schemes, at no cost to themselves.”

A new, easy-to-understand guide for employers in HCI is now available from Fujitsu Siemens Computers. It set outs how a business can go about setting up the scheme simply and without hassle or cost. A copy of the guide can be ordered from the Fujitsu Siemens Computers website www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/hci

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For Further info contact:

Fujitsu-Siemens Computers Media Centre

Tel : 0870 420 3276

E-mail: fscteam@fourplc.com


Fujitsu-Siemens has been a leader in providing HCI schemes for over four years with 1000's of employees in 100's of companies across the UK signing up for the scheme. Fujitsu-Siemens Computers’ HCI scheme has been developed in close partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the e-Envoy, and the company has played a key role in the shaping of the HCI guidelines.
Employee and Employer Home Computing Initiative case studies are available from the Fujitsu Siemens Lifestyle Media Centre
www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/hci