Industry News & Updates

The Government's new Pension Schemes Bill, currently before Parliament, introduces wide-reaching reforms aimed at improving outcomes for pension savers. These changes will not only affect how pensions are administered but also impact scheme selection, cost management, and employee engagement over the long term.

UK house prices recorded their steepest monthly fall in over two years in June, according to the latest data from mortgage lender Nationwide. Prices declined by 0.8%, marking the largest drop since February 2023.

The government has launched a full review of the UK’s parental leave and pay system, aiming to make it fairer, simpler, and better suited to the needs of modern families.

Companies House is undergoing a major transformation following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).

Following publication of the Employment Rights Bill in October 2024, the government has published a comprehensive implementation roadmap. The roadmap outlines a phased timeline for one of the most significant overhauls of UK employment law in decades.

Last week marked ten years since Companies House made all digital company data freely available through its online service on GOV.UK. Since launching on 22 June 2015, the Find and Update company information tool has become one of the UK’s most heavily used public data services, with over 16.5 billion searches carried out in 2023–24 alone.

The government has announced plans to raise an additional £7.5 billion by stepping up efforts to close the tax gap—the difference between the tax HMRC expects to collect and what is actually paid.

According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the main rate of inflation decreased from 3.5% in April to 3.4% in the year to May.

Thinking about investing in property? One of the big questions you'll face is whether to buy it in your own name or through a limited company. Each option has different tax rules, financial implications, and admin requirements so it’s worth weighing them up carefully.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released new guidance to help businesses understand and manage the risks of storing sensitive personal information (SPI).

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that UK businesses are easing off on recruitment, with job vacancies dropping by 63,000 between March and May.

Last week, the Chancellor set out her plans for how government spending will be managed over the next few years. While much of the focus was on public services like the NHS and schools, there are a few key takeaways that business owners should know about 👇

HMRC has released new figures showing that more families are taking advantage of the Tax-Free Childcare scheme—and it could be worth checking if you’re eligible too.

HMRC is undergoing a major digital transformation, backed by a £500 million investment aimed at making 90% of taxpayer interactions digital by 2029/30. This shift is designed to streamline tax processes, reduce paperwork, and improve service delivery—changes that will directly impact how small businesses manage their tax affairs.

As of early June 2025, small businesses across the UK are increasingly turning to their accountants for support as they face mounting financial pressures. A new report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that record inflation, rising energy bills, and growing tax burdens are pushing many SMEs to seek expert advice.

Cybercriminals have targeted HMRC in a complex fraud scheme, using stolen personal data to create or hijack PAYE tax accounts in an attempt to claim fraudulent repayments. Despite the scale of the attack, HMRC has confirmed that no individual taxpayers have lost money—only HMRC itself has suffered financial losses.

From autumn 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity with Companies House. This is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at preventing the misuse of UK companies for illegal activities.

As we move into the second half of 2025, the UK economy is showing signs of strain, with mixed signals that small business owners should watch closely. Here's a breakdown of the key trends and what they could mean for your business.

From next year, Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) firms will need to work within a stricter regulatory framework. Following last year’s consultation, the government has now laid legislation before Parliament to bring BNPL under formal regulation, aiming to end what’s been called the “wild west” of unregulated borrowing.

UK inflation rose to 3.5% in April, according to official figures, up from 2.6% in March and higher than many economists had expected. This is the highest annual rate in more than a year and comes at a time when both households and businesses are facing a mix of rising costs.

The UK government has agreed a new trade deal with the European Union, aimed at making it easier to do business across the Channel. This follows recent agreements with the US and India and is being presented as part of a wider effort to support jobs and help businesses grow.

Just as the Bank was cutting rates, the UK government struck a limited tariff deal with the United States. This isn’t a full trade deal (despite some headlines), but it does make it easier to sell certain goods to the US - like cars, steel and aluminium.

If you’re a parent of a 16 to 19-year-old who’s staying in full-time education or training, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August to avoid the payments stopping altogether.

HMRC have reported that a record number of people- nearly 300,000 - have already filed their 2024–25 tax return, just weeks into the new tax year. While the deadline isn’t until 31 January 2026, it’s worth thinking about it sooner rather than later.

In the last couple of weeks, the Bank of England cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, and a new ‘trade deal’ was announced between the UK and the US. Let’s see what these news items can tell us about the latest developments in the economy.

With many families finding out where their child will be starting school this September, now is a good time for working parents to start planning childcare. The government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme can save them up to £2,000 a year per child – and this could be good news for employers as well as employees.

The government has published its Impact Assessment on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which indicates benefits to the economy of potentially up to £7.5 billion over the next decade.

From 1 July 2025, UK businesses involved in cross-border disputes will benefit from a major change in how their legal judgments are recognised overseas, thanks to new international rules being introduced under the 2019 Hague Convention.

The UK government has published draft legislation that would bring cryptoasset services such as exchanges, brokers and custody providers within the scope of financial regulation for the first time. The announcement was made by the Chancellor during a major summit in London as part of UK Fintech Week.

The recent wave of cyber attacks on UK retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods, is a reminder that no organisation is too big - or too prepared - to be targeted. But while the headlines may focus on the big names, there are important lessons here for businesses of all sizes.

From April 2026, banks and payment service providers will face stricter rules around how and when they can close customer accounts, under new legislation aimed at improving transparency and giving people and small businesses more time to respond to account closures.

The government has announced plans to address the growing issue of small, forgotten pension pots - a problem affecting millions of workers who change jobs frequently and accumulate multiple small pensions over time.

James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, made a Written Ministerial Statement last week that included a number of tax simplification, administration and reform measures. In total, 39 measures were announced.

According to new research, small and local businesses across the UK are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve efficiency and streamline everyday operations.

For most businesses today, digital technology is fundamental to operations. With that comes the growing reality that cyber security is no longer just an IT issue - it’s a business owner and board-level responsibility.

If you're a sole trader or landlord with annual income over £50,000, a major change is coming your way. From 6 April 2026, you may be required to keep digital business records and submit quarterly updates to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.

Amidst all the news about increased tariffs in the US, the UK government has announced a cut to zero in import tariffs on a range of 89 foreign products.

The Insolvency Service has published its latest enforcement outcomes report for 2024-25, and it carries an important message for business owners. More than 1,000 company directors were disqualified over the year, with the majority of cases linked to abuse of Covid support loans.

In a small bit of good news, March’s inflation figures have been released showing a drop to 2.6% from 2.8% in February. The main reason? Lower petrol prices, which has offered some relief for households and businesses alike.

During April, the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Working Minds campaign is inviting employers to follow five simple steps that can help to prevent and reduce workplace stress.

In response to security concerns, HMRC has ceased processing Self Assessment (SA) repayment requests through telephone and webchat services, including the Agent Dedicated Line (ADL).

The UK Government is currently considering its response to the ‘reciprocal tariffs’ announced by the US President Donald Trump on 2 April.

From 7 April 2025, families receiving Child Benefit will see an increase in their payments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that the weekly rate will rise to £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child. This means an annual payment of £1,354.60 for the first child and £897 for each subsequent child. These payments, usually made every four weeks, are automatically into claimants’ bank accounts.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Spring Statement last week in which she outlined the government’s economic plans, including spending decisions, tax policies and efforts to boost growth while managing public finances.