News

April 10, 2025

Child Benefit Increases from 7 April: What Employers Need to Know

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.

April 7, 2025

UK Government requests views to shape response to US tariffs

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

December 18, 2024

HMRC introduces new interactive tool for self-employed people

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced the launch of a new interactive online tool and clearer guidance for those who are already self-employed and those considering it.

December 16, 2024

Spread the cost of your Self Assessment tax bill with HMRC's Time to Pay

With the holidays and end of the year fast approaching, it’s a good time to plan your finances for the new year. For those who file Self Assessment tax returns, the prospect of having to make a heavy tax payment at the end of January 2025 may be causing you concern.

December 12, 2024

Better finance access for disabled entrepreneurs

In the runup to Small Business Saturday last week, a new Disability Finance Code was launched.

December 11, 2024

New reporting requirements for online platforms

New changes come into effect from January 2025 where online platforms, such as eBay and Airbnb, will start sharing some user sales and personal data with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

December 9, 2024

New Fair Payments Code launched

The government’s promised new Fair Payments Code was launched last week to try and tackle late payment problems that can be particularly harmful to small businesses.

December 5, 2024

Get Britain Working White Paper: Reforms to employment support announced

The government has unveiled some significant reforms to employment support, underpinned by a £240 million investment. The measures aim to address deep-rooted issues of unemployment, economic inactivity, and barriers to work, as detailed in the newly published Get Britain Working White Paper.

December 2, 2024

Be wary of Self Assessment scams

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued a reminder to be careful about scam attempts that target people filing Self Assessment tax returns. In the last year, nearly 150,000 scam attempts were referred to HMRC, a 16.7% increase on last year. With the 31 January 2025 filing deadline approaching, fraudsters are likely to step up their activities.

November 28, 2024

New UKEF guarantee boosts opportunities for UK engineering, design and technical services firms

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has launched a new initiative aimed at helping British engineering, design, and technical services firms secure international contracts.