News and Views

When a customer takes 60 or 90 days to pay an invoice that should have been settled in 30 days, there is another way of looking at the transaction. You are effectively providing the customer with finance, usually without charging them for it. Late payment remains a significant problem for smaller businesses, although the latest […]

For many businesses, broadband has gradually become as important as electricity. Cloud accounting, video meetings, online backups, customer management systems and increasingly artificial intelligence applications all depend on reliable connectivity. The Government’s latest Project Gigabit progress report, published on 22 September, says gigabit-capable broadband is now available to more than 88% of UK homes and […]

Companies House enforcement has started Companies House identity verification has moved from being something directors can leave on their “to do” list to an issue requiring immediate attention. On 17 September, the Insolvency Service announced the first successful prosecutions involving directors who had failed to comply with the new identity verification requirements. Three directors were […]

Recent employment figures suggest that the number of people on UK payrolls is continuing to fall. That does not necessarily mean your business should reduce its workforce. However, it does provide a useful reminder to look at one of the largest costs faced by many businesses. The important question is not whether other employers are […]

Many successful small businesses have one person at their centre. The owner knows the customers, agrees prices, deals with suppliers, manages the bank account, supervises employees and makes most of the important decisions. Often, this is one of the reasons the business has succeeded. But it can also become a weakness. If too much depends […]

Running a limited company brings with it a considerable amount of administration. The government is now considering whether some of the UK’s corporate reporting requirements can be simplified. A consultation launched in September 2026 looks at modernising corporate reporting, reducing duplication and making reporting requirements more proportionate. For smaller businesses in particular, the proposals could […]

Landlords in England need to be aware of updated Right to Rent guidance taking effect from 1 October 2026. The Right to Rent scheme requires landlords and letting agents to check that prospective adult tenants have the legal right to occupy privately rented residential property in England. Getting the procedure right is important because landlords […]

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey has confirmed, in a video message, that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Details of all the Budget announcements will be made on a special section of the GOV.UK website which will be updated following completion of the Chancellor’s first Budget […]

Households should see a modest reduction in their electricity costs from 1 October 2026, when VAT on qualifying domestic electricity supplies in Great Britain is temporarily reduced from 5% to 0%. When does the VAT reduction apply? The temporary zero rate will apply from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027. Other domestic fuels, including […]