News

Acas, the workplace expert, have carried out research to find out which changes in the Employments Right Act 2025 are the hardest for businesses to adopt.

HMRC is writing to some self-employed individuals whose National Insurance (NI) records may contain gaps that could affect their State Pension.

A first-of-its-kind service for the UK has been launched to provide tax certainty to businesses planning to invest in major projects.

The latest annual report from the Charter Stakeholder Group remains highly critical of HMRC's service performance, with scores either stagnant or deteriorating across most standards. Alongside poor scores for responsiveness and ease of use, the report highlights overwhelmingly negative feedback on Making Tax Digital (MTD).

Andy Burnham’s first days as Prime Minister have been marked by a flurry of announcements designed to show that his government intends to move quickly. Presenting himself as a leader focused on easing pressure on households and rebuilding trust in politics, Burnham has begun reshaping government while signalling the priorities that will define his administration.

HMRC have opened a consultation, ‘Modernising the taxation of distributions and repayments of capital from companies’. They are seeking views on proposals to modernise the tax framework dealing with distributions made by companies to shareholders who are individuals or trusts.

Investors representing over $3 trillion of assets under management from across North America, the Gulf, Asia and Australia will participate in InvestConnect, a new UK investment fund. Aimed at connecting the UK’s nations and regions to trillions of pounds of global capital, the new platform was developed in consultation with professional investors, government partners and the UK's nations and regions.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced an expansion of the British Business Bank’s (BBB) Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS). This provides a 70% government guarantee on commercial loans to SMEs of up to £2 million, cutting credit risk.

The government is consulting on potential measures that target Electronic Sales Suppression (ESS). Proposals include the introduction of new software standards for Point of Sale systems. Electronic Sales Suppression (ESS) involves businesses using software or devices to manipulate Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems to hide transactions and evade tax.

The June 'UK Report on Jobs' shows subdued business confidence driving a preference for short-term staff. Temporary staff billings rose at the steepest rate in over three years, while permanent staff appointments continued to decline, although at a much slower pace than in May.

HMRC have proposed a new criminal offence for making reckless, untrue statements or declarations about what's known as 'direct taxes' - Income Tax, National Insurance and the like. For Customs and Excise and VAT ('indirect taxes'), it is already possible to prosecute individuals who make untrue statements or submit incorrect documents either knowingly or recklessly, without the need to prove dishonesty. The penalties for such offences can be severe, including substantial fines and imprisonment. The direct tax regime does not currently contain an equivalent offence.

A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request has discovered that health and safety violations cost British employers over £44 million per year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that serious breaches have resulted in an increasing number of prosecutions between 2023 and 2025.

The government has published a response to its consultation 'Land Remediation Relief' (LRR). The review sought to understand whether the Corporation Tax relief continues to incentivise the redevelopment of brownfield land and whether reforms are needed to ensure it remains effective, accessible and aligned with modern remediation practices.

The government has published a raft of consultations on tax and business policies. It is worth being aware of these, as they are a good indicator of future policy direction likely to impact small businesses.

Employers may worry about the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) following a series of press stories that have highlighted the abuse of the system.

As the tenth anniversary of the Brexit vote passes, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has published research revealing a shift in business sentiment towards the European Union.

Comcast’s Universal Ads has launched in the UK in partnership with Channel 4, ITV and Sky. It is a self-service platform that opens TV advertising up to Small to Medium-Sized (SMEs) businesses at a more affordable cost.

“Owners of dodgy shops that are evading tax: we are coming for you,” said Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, as he announced that HMRC will make 30,000 high-street ‘interventions’ in the coming year as part of an initiative to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity.

The announcement of mandatory payrolling for Benefits In Kind was originally expected to start in April 2027, but following industry pressure, it will now be introduced in two phases.

One in four of Britain’s manufacturers has moved production abroad or is seriously considering it, according to research by Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers' Federation.

A new report has concluded that late payments and rising costs are crippling Britain’s construction sector. Firms already in or at risk of financial distress make up more than eight in ten companies.

Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023).

The government has made a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool available on the GOV.UK app called GOV.UK Chat. It draws on official government guidance, including tax, to answer questions.

A letter to local authorities confirms amendments that the government has made to the eligibility criteria for Supporting Small Business Relief, a scheme available in England.

A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’.

You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business.

The government has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer.

Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are asking businesses to take special care of misleading requests for payment sent by fraudulent organisations.

Following its mention in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill has now been put before Parliament.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment rate in the three months to March 2026 has risen to 5% from 4.9%.

Originally proposed in last autumn’s Budget, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have introduced a targeted advance assurance service for Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims. The service, which is a pilot, aims to provide businesses with clarity on complex or high-risk areas before they make a claim.

A major police offensive was announced last week that will tackle dodgy shops linked to organised crime. Rogue high street businesses will face raids, closures and cash seizures.

Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment.

Most businesses don’t need big ideas or complicated plans to improve profit. In practice, profits will usually increase by tightening up a few everyday things and being more deliberate about how time and effort are applied.

The government has announced it has signed a new partnership with Wayve, a British company that is developing self-driving vehicle technologies.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has raised concerns over its effect on UK inflation and interest rates in the coming months.

Running a business in recent times has been a lesson in resilience. Costs continue to increase and customers are cautious. Cash is proving tight for many businesses and credit control is a core discipline for keeping a business afloat in such times.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have reported that 161 pubs closed across the country in the first three months of 2026. It is estimated that this has led to the loss of 2,400 jobs. Scotland has been the most heavily affected, with 41 closures between January and March.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published final guidance on the new ‘charitable purposes soft opt-in’ provision introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) announced at CYBERUK 2026 in Glasgow that it will begin recommending the use of passkeys wherever a service supports them, and two-step verification (2SV) where it does not.

The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026 and represents the biggest change to renting in England for a generation. All landlords must be ready, as the new rules apply to both new and existing tenancies from day one.

The government has opened a consultation on a new consultation process that employers will need to follow when handling flexible working requests.

Your business can be doing well financially but you can still feel uncertain about where your personal finances are heading.

Recent changes to the way co-working spaces are assessed for business rates are causing considerable concern in the business community. Some estimate that the changes amount to a £600 million stealth tax raid.

If you are thinking about selling your business, whether that is in six months or six years, one of the first questions you will probably ask yourself is “what’s it worth?”

The government has published further draft legislation on the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This will have consequences for importers bringing certain carbon-intensive goods into the UK.

At the end of April 2026, new legislation will come into force designed to address the fear of losing benefits support if a new job does not work out.

Last week marked a 4.8% rise in both the basic and new State Pensions. This could mean an additional £575 annually for many pensioners.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently released a research paper on how small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) view electronic invoicing, also called e-invoicing.

New rules, which are expected to come into force from spring 2027, will make it easier for people to avoid costly subscription traps.

If you have been running a business for a while, maybe as a sole trader or in a partnership, you may have heard someone say, “You should incorporate”.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published a blog post exploring the potential for ‘vibe coding’ replacing the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model. While not suggesting that vibe coding is ready to take over now, they conclude that vibe coding is following a pattern similar to cloud adoption 20 years ago.

A new YouGov survey commissioned by Acas shows that almost one in three employers are finding that stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health problems are a reason that staff give for sickness absence.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offer a free Early Warning service to all UK organisations.

The government has published its response to the late payments consultation that ran from July to October last year.

For the first time, government departments have set individual targets for how much they will spend with small and medium-sized businesses (SME). In total, the government plans to spend £7.4 billion a year with SMEs by 2028.

For shareholders of owner-managed companies, dividends are still one of the most tax-efficient ways to take money out of the company. But with these increases coming in, it will be worth taking a fresh look at your extraction strategy.

A new GOV.UK service allows businesses and individuals to find out whether their address is due a broadband upgrade. By entering your postcode, you can see whether your premises or home is covered by rollout plans.

With 6 April 2026, ushering in the start of the new tax year, there are some changes on the way that may affect how you run and plan for your business. To help you stay ahead, we have highlighted three key updates worth having on your radar.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of how the economy is doing, showed zero growth in January, following growth of 0.1% in December 2025.

An independent report, commissioned by the Welsh government, has examined potential future options for income tax devolution in Wales. It compares keeping the current partially devolved system with moving to full devolution, while factoring in the effects of the block grant adjustment (BGA).

Have you reached a point where the idea of running a business feels like more than just a pipe dream? Perhaps you have identified a gap in the market, you want greater independence or your side hustle is telling you that it has the potential to become a full-time income.

The end of the 2025/26 tax year will soon be here, which means a few additional tasks to carry out on your payroll, if you run one.

The government has announced an over 40% increase in charge point grant amounts that will mean businesses, landlords and renters could save up to £500 on installing an electric vehicle (EV) charge point. Previously, the grant provided a discount of £350.

During a week dominated by news of the Middle East conflict, on 3 March 2026, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Spring Forecast to Parliament. The Chancellor told MPs she had “restored economic stability” as she presented the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR’s) economic forecasts.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has said that doing business in the UK is too uncertain and expensive, and more stability in the tax system is needed. Their comments were in response to the government’s call for evidence on how the tax system can better support entrepreneurs.

Unregulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) agreements will fall under full FCA regulation from 15 July 2026. For the first time, BNPL lenders will need to meet the same expectations as other consumer-credit providers. With almost 11 million UK adults using BNPL in 2024, according to an FCA survey, this is a significant change.

The government has published the draft secondary legislation for the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is due to go live on 1 January 2027. This is an important development for UK businesses importing affected materials.

The Spring Statement will be delivered in Parliament on 3 March, giving an update on the state of the UK economy and the government’s financial outlook.

A new website has been launched by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) offering practical guidance and support on the changes that the Employment Rights Act will introduce and what they can do to get ready.

A leading think tank has criticised the fiscal rules that the Chancellor uses to determine the government’s tax and spending plans. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has suggested that reducing complex finances to a pass‑or‑fail number misses the bigger picture.

With just a few weeks to go until the beginning of a new tax year, a new round of tax changes take effect from April 2026. While many people won’t see a big difference in their day-to-day tax position, there are some areas worth having on the radar.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a set of proposed commitments from Apple and Google that could make it easier for UK businesses that rely on app stores to reach their customers.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a new weekly podcast series, ‘DBS discussions: Safeguarding in Focus,’ aimed at employers, HR teams and anyone working in safeguarding.

HM Revenue & Customs has started using GOV.UK One Login for taxpayers signing up to its digital services for the first time.

HMRC has estimated that around a million people missed the 31 January 2026 Self Assessment tax return filing deadline.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a set of proposed measures aimed at increasing fairness, transparency and choice for businesses and consumers using Google’s search services in the UK.

Enterprises that pay business rates are being encouraged to check their current property valuation and make sure the details held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are correct.

The latest Business Confidence Monitor, an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales survey, shows confidence continuing to fall. Confidence has now fallen for six consecutive quarters and is now at its lowest since the final three months of 2022.

If you are a small VAT-registered business, how you calculate your VAT could make a real difference to your cash flow and the time you spend keeping records.

It has been announced that eligible pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15% discount on their business rates bills in 2026/27. Rates bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

UK wage growth eased to 4.5% between September and November 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, reflecting a notable slowdown in private sector pay.

A national expansion of WorkWell, a health-and-employment support service, is set to take place across England, following a successful pilot that helped more than 25,000 people stay in or return to work.

Small Business Britain is set to roll out its Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme, a six-week online course designed to help sole traders and micro businesses unlock growth opportunities.

With just 10 weeks or so to go until the new tax year, many businesses are preparing for the changes that Making Tax Digital (MTD) will bring. From April, sole traders and landlords with an income of over £50,000 will need to submit quarterly updates to HMRC.

If you are new to being self-employed or being a landlord, Self Assessment can feel like one of those jobs you know you should understand better, but never quite get around to.

It appears that the government has backtracked on plans to require workers to register with its new digital ID programme to prove their right to work in the UK.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that all key auto-enrolment pension thresholds will remain unchanged for 2026/27.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) reports that more than 6.36 million people have already submitted their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024/25 tax year. However, they say around 5.65 million taxpayers still need to file, with the statutory deadline of 31 January 2026 now close.

The start of a new year is a natural moment to take stock of your business. You probably have ambitions for your business, but you also want it to help you reach your personal goals.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning about scams ahead of the 31 January Self Assessment deadline.

The UK economy continues to show a mixed picture, with recent data highlighting both relief for households and ongoing challenges for businesses.

With 2025 coming to a close, you may already be starting to reflect on how the year unfolded in your business.

The latest Budget was packed with policy announcements, but according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), these policies will not really change the UK’s growth outlook over the next five years.

The Government has announced a £725 million package of reforms aimed at increasing apprenticeship and training opportunities for young people. While much of the announcement centres on tackling youth unemployment, there could be benefits for small and medium-sized businesses.

With the festive season underway and household budgets feeling the pressure, it may be useful to know that if you are worried about paying your tax bill in one lump sum, you may be able to spread the cost.

If your business is based in England and Wales, you can now view the future rateable value of your property.

Charity trustees in England and Wales now have new legal powers when considering moral payments: payments made because there is a moral rather than strictly legal obligation to transfer some of a charity’s property.

The deadline for filing your 2024/25 Self Assessment tax return is fast approaching. You must submit your return and pay any tax due by 31 January 2026 to avoid penalties and interest.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its latest annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for 2024/25.