News

August 27, 2026

Cost of business crisis for British SMEs

UK businesses are facing a “cost of business crisis”, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Its new cost-stack calculator shows government policy alone has pushed up an average firm's expenses by 70% over the past decade, adding roughly £827,000 a year in costs for a typical mid-sized business. About a quarter of the rise stems from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, with the higher minimum wage and mandatory pension auto-enrolment also major contributors.

August 26, 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax first quarter statistics published

Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, sole traders and landlords with income of more than £50,000 have been required to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC since 6 April 2026.

December 3, 2025

Government Announces Rail Fare Freeze Until 2027

The government has confirmed that regulated rail fares in England will be frozen until March 2027. The freeze, announced prior to the Budget, follows a 4.6% rise in March 2025.

December 1, 2025

HMRC Fixes SA302 Issue Affecting Class 2 National Insurance for 2024/25

Some self-employed taxpayers who filed their 2024/25 self-assessment tax return may have been incorrectly asked to pay class 2 national insurance contributions (NIC) on their SA302 tax calculation. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has now confirmed that this issue has been fixed.

November 28, 2025

Choosing the Right Accounting System for Your Business

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.

November 26, 2025

UK Inflation Slows to 3.6% as Energy and Hotel Costs Ease

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).