Small businesses are facing a tough start to 2026 as confidence slumps and growth plans stay out of reach, new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed. The organisation’s Small Business Index (SBI) plunged to -71 in the final quarter of 2025, meaning far more businesses were struggling than succeeding. This is down from […]
From humble beginnings on Preston’s Flag Market to a global phenomenon – The SpudBros’ remarkable growth story continues. Jacob and Harley Nelson have turned their jacket potato business, operating from an old tram carriage in the city centre, into a worldwide social media sensation. And on the way the brothers have become proud sponsors of […]
As we reported in our October newsletter, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), which became law in October 2023, has created a raft of new measures affecting companies and their directors. Identity Verification is a new legal requirement under the ECCTA. This means that Companies House will require formal identity verification for anyone […]
Companies House will require identity verification for anyone involved in running or filing on behalf of a company The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), which became law in October 2023, has created a raft of new measures affecting companies and their directors. Identity Verification is a new legal requirement under the ECCTA. This […]
Businesses and individuals who still owe Covid scheme money to the Treasury have been given a time-limited opportunity to pay it back before tougher sanctions apply. The voluntary repayment scheme gives them until December this year to return pandemic scheme cash – no questions asked. The move comes as the government continues to do everything […]
HM Revenue and Customs is cracking down on pension tax relief as part of a broader drive to maximise revenue collection, according to reports. The tax authority is said to be stepping up its scrutiny of claims from higher earners and “lowering the threshold” for requiring evidence to support requests. Additionally, HMRC will no longer […]
New rules that would require small and micro companies to disclose their profit and loss statements for the first time are set to be scrapped, according to media reports. The new Companies House rules were set to come into effect in April 2027, removing current exemptions when it comes to filing accounts. The changes would […]
With employers finding it hard to recruit good skilled workers and both the inflationary and government-imposed increases to staff costs, there are many advantages to taking on an apprentice. With the increase in minimum wage being so much higher than inflation, many employers may be put-off employing young people. And understandably, an 18 per cent […]
The current economic picture – with downgraded growth forecasts, increased government borrowing costs and global uncertainty around tariffs and conflicts – is filled with uncertainty. As well as halving their growth forecast for this year to one per cent, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has also predicted inflation will average 3.2 per cent. US […]
April will see the government’s decision to abolish the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) regime put into force. The move removes a longstanding tax advantage that treated qualifying holiday lets as trading rather than investment properties. From April 6 2025, holiday let owners will see their properties aligned with standard residential lettings for tax purposes. Profits […]
