According to the latest Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, almost two in five small businesses in the UK suffered a successful cyber-attack in the last year, with each attack costing an average of £26,650. Globally, cyber incidents cause around 32 hours of operational disruption a year on average. Cyber-attacks are no longer exceptional events, being viewed […]
According to UK Finance, gross lending to SMEs from the main high street banks reached £5.35 billion in the second quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly level recorded since the pandemic. Real estate and professional service firms drove much of this growth, while manufacturers and hospitality businesses borrowed less. How can loans help SMEs? A […]
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) initiated a ‘modernising corporate reporting’ consultation on 7 September 2026, which closes on 30 November 2026. Under the proposed overhauls, many medium-sized companies may be exempt from mandatory audits. This consultation forms part of a wider Government pledge to cut administrative burdens on businesses by 25 […]
The so-called mansion tax is already beginning to have an impact on the UK housing market, despite the surcharge not being due to come into effect until April 2028. Under the new tax, formally known as the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, homes in England worth £2 million or more, based on their value as […]
Reforms to the Benefits in Kind (BIK) system have continued to change in recent years, as the Government prepares to roll out mandatory payrolling. From April 2027, businesses will be required to payroll BIK, but this will now be a phased approach, with the full reforms in place from April 2028. For employers who were […]
We are now just over six months away from the long-anticipated reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), which will see unspent pensions included within a person’s estate from April 2027. First announced all the way back in the 2024 Autumn Budget, the move is expected to result in 10,500 more estates becoming liable for IHT in […]
For many businesses, short-term finance can provide an essential lifeline when cash flow becomes tight. Whether a business needs support covering a gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments, or managing seasonal demand, the right type of finance can keep a business moving during uncertain times. However, using short-term borrowing without a clear strategy […]
The rate of inflation has hit 2.9 per cent in July 2026, up from 2.6 per cent in June, according to the latest data that has been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the first rise in the national rate of inflation since March 2026, with the increase in the energy […]
For many people, giving financial support to family members is an important part of their financial planning. Whether it is helping children with pension contributions or providing ongoing assistance, gifting can play an important role in Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. The normal expenditure out of income exemption under Section 21 of the Inheritance Tax Act […]
In June 2026, the Government published a document to gather views on the introduction of a criminal offence for making reckless or untrue statements relating to tax. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has warned that the proposal risks confusing taxpayers and discouraging voluntary disclosures. Instead, the ICAEW has advised HMRC […]
