Industry News & Updates

As you’ll be aware from our previous updates, Companies House is in the process of introducing mandatory ID verification for company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs).

With just 3 weeks to go until the new tax year, many businesses are preparing for the changes that Making Tax Digital (MTD) will bring.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a Clearing Pricing campaign aiming to encourage businesses to be upfront, transparent and fair in their pricing.

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.

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.

According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, UK inflation eased to 3% in January, down from 3.4% in December. Lower food, fuel and airfare prices appear to have been the biggest contributors to the reduction.

A new campaign has been launched to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to take some simple, practical steps to protect themselves from the most common cyber-attacks. The main drift is that basic cyber hygiene still prevents the majority of incidents.

The UK’s unemployment rate has risen again, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the three months to December 2025, unemployment increased to 5.2%, up from 5.1% in the three months to November. This marks the highest rate in almost five years.

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.

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

With costs rising, many employers and employees are looking for practical ways to reduce outgoings without cutting benefits. Salary sacrifice can be an excellent tool to do this, but many businesses overlook it.

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

The government has announced a significant set of reforms to the leasehold system in England and Wales. These changes include ground rent being capped at £250. New leasehold flats will also be banned and there will be a move towards commonhold ownership.

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.

From 21 January 2026, new legislation allows self-employed individuals and personal employees to apply for Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS checks in their own right for the first time.

Almost 500 UK employers have been fined a total of £10.2 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW), with £6 million returned to 42,000 workers.

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.

Companies House is increasing a number of its fees, with changes coming into effect on 1 February 2026.

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

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has requested the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to publish an economic and fiscal forecast on 3 March 2026. This will be accompanied by a statement to Parliament.

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.

As we’ve shared in previous updates, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is one of the biggest changes to the UK tax system in recent years. With the first phase starting in April 2026, now is a good time to revisit what it means and who it will affect.

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

Companies House is increasing a number of its fees, with changes coming into effect on 1 February 2026. Businesses and company directors should be aware of these updates as our own fees will need to be adjusted in line with these increases.

As you’ll be aware from our previous updates, Companies House is in the process of introducing mandatory ID verification for company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs).

The Bank of England has reduced the base interest rate from 4.00% to 3.75%, offering some relief for UK businesses. Lower rates should help reduce borrowing costs, making it cheaper for SMEs to finance growth, manage cash flow, or refinance existing loans.

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.

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.

The Chancellor has formally written to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to reconfirm the UK’s inflation target at 2% for the next 12 months, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).

The recent Budget confirmed that dividend tax rates will increase from April 2026. The ordinary and upper rates of dividend tax will both rise by 2%.

A legal landmark was reached last week as the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act received Royal Assent.

Companies House is increasing a number of its fees, with changes coming into effect on 1 February 2026. Businesses and company directors should be aware of these updates as our own fees will need to be adjusted in line with these increases.

From 18 November 2025, new legal requirements come into force: all company directors and “persons with significant control” (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.

For many sole traders and small business owners, reviewing their accounting system only happens when something forces the issue. For instance, many sole traders are currently looking at whether their accounting system meets the requirements for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

The latest Autumn Budget brings several important tax and policy changes that will affect small business owners, company directors and anyone who draws income through dividends.

UK inflation eased to 3.6% in the year to October, down from 3.8% in September, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are writing to some taxpayers to tell them what they need to do to get ready for the new Making Tax Digital rules that come into force next April.

As of yesterday, Companies House are phasing in identity verification over a 12 month period to make things easier for companies and business owners. This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reported that over 5.6 million people have accessed its app since the start of the current tax year (6 April 2025).

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gave a surprise ‘pre-Budget’ speech last week that appeared to pave the way for tax rises in the Budget on 26 November 2025.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies.

As part of its move to reduce ‘red tape’ and aid business growth, the government has announced plans to remove the requirement for companies to include a directors’ report as part of their annual accounts.

Companies House is increasing a number of its fees, with changes coming into effect on 1 February 2026. Businesses and company directors should be aware of these updates to plan for upcoming filings.

Matthew Taylor CBE, author of the influential Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, has been appointed as the first Chair of the new Fair Work Agency – a body that’s set to change how the UK enforces employment rights.

Small businesses across the UK are being urged to take simple, practical steps to protect themselves from growing online threats - and a new free toolkit from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) aims to make that much easier.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies.

Running your own business often means juggling a lot - and for many, that includes childcare. With autumn school breaks this month, HMRC is reminding working families that the Tax-Free Childcare scheme can be a good way to make some savings.

The Insolvency Service has reported on an investigation it made into a company that was serving as a front to enable unlicensed insolvency activities previously carried out by another firm.