Recent government guidance has highlighted a growing risk of fraud linked to Winter Fuel Payments, with criminals attempting to exploit uncertainty around changes to eligibility and repayment arrangements. Pensioners are being encouraged to remain cautious if they receive unexpected communications claiming to be connected with the payment, particularly where personal or financial information is requested. […]
21
Apr
Apr
Raising prices is rarely comfortable for business owners, yet it is often necessary to maintain margins as wages, materials, finance costs and energy bills rise. The difficulty is rarely the price itself. It is the customer’s perception of whether the product or service is still worth the cost. A more effective approach than simply announcing […]
21
Apr
Apr
Review your options to improve management information Many businesses invest in accounting software primarily to meet compliance obligations such as VAT returns, payroll submissions and year end reporting. However, modern accounting systems are capable of delivering far more value than simply producing statutory figures. If your software is only being used to record historic transactions, […]
16
Apr
Apr
For the 2026-27 tax year, individuals with income between £100,000 and £125,140 face an effective marginal income tax rate of 60%. This unusually high rate is not a separate tax band but arises because the personal allowance is gradually withdrawn once income exceeds £100,000. The personal allowance remains £12,570 for 2026-27 and continues to be […]
15
Apr
Apr
The UK government has introduced significant employment law reforms that expand access to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and parental leave rights. These measures represent one of the most substantial updates to workplace protections in recent years and are intended to support employees facing illness or family responsibilities, while helping to create a more flexible and […]
09
Apr
Apr
Many people start an activity as a hobby, perhaps selling handmade goods online, offering occasional services, or generating small amounts of additional income from spare capacity. Over time, what begins as a leisure pursuit can evolve into something that looks increasingly commercial. This raises an important question, when does a hobby become a business for […]
08
Apr
Apr
Recent global instability, particularly tensions affecting oil and energy supply chains, has increased concerns about price gouging, where businesses take advantage of shortages or uncertainty to impose unjustified price increases. In response, the UK government has announced new measures intended to protect consumers and ensure markets continue to operate fairly. Price gouging generally occurs when […]
07
Apr
Apr
The start of a new tax year is an ideal time to take stock of your financial position and consider practical steps that could improve tax efficiency, strengthen cash flow and reduce future surprises. Many opportunities are time sensitive, so early planning can make a measurable difference. Below are ten practical “resolutions” to consider […]
07
Apr
Apr
A Companies House blunder has raised concerns after a flaw in the WebFiling service briefly exposed sensitive company data. The issue, identified on 13 March 2026, meant that a logged-in user could potentially access and amend limited details of another company by carrying out a specific sequence of actions. Companies House has stated that this […]