All Posts

Under current UK law, life insurance payouts are not automatically exempt from Inheritance Tax. Whether they are taxed depends entirely on how the policyholder and beneficiaries are arranged. The key factor is whether the payout forms part of the deceased’s estate.

Amazon announces 15,000 layoffs as the AI revolution hits middle management; the number of centenarians reaches a record high, and the State Pension age in the UK may rise above 70; meanwhile, 40% of small businesses have failed to pay taxes owed to HMRC.

Whether transferring all your shares or disposing of part of the business assets, the key question you’ll face is: how much tax will you need to pay when selling a business in the UK. This does not only involve Capital Gains Tax (CGT) but also requires careful planning around available reliefs and the compliance of the transaction structure.

In recent years, QR codes have become an indispensable part of daily life and are increasingly common across the UK. Whether ordering drinks in a bar or paying for parking, a quick scan can complete the transaction within seconds. According to British media reports, in just one year QR scams have cost consumers more than £3.5 million.

More than 1.1 million UK pensioners may soon pay income tax on savings interest; Temu’s EU profit nears $120 million despite having only eight employees, sparking tax controversy; and UK inflation remains unchanged at 3.8% for the third consecutive month.

As winter approaches, heating, electricity and food expenses are expected to climb even higher, potentially pushing more households into debt crises. At the same time, HMRC has announced the restart of its Direct Recovery of Debts (DRD) scheme, which allows the tax authority to deduct unpaid taxes directly from individuals’ bank accounts.

Recent UK tax compliance data has sounded the alarm once again: in the past three years, nearly half a million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) repeatedly missed tax deadlines, with as many as 19% admitting they delayed tax payments more than five times in just the past 12 months. A combination of complex tax rules and cash flow pressures is dragging UK SMEs compliance levels down.

UK weather maps show the exact 3 consecutive days snow is forecast in October; Nearly 500 companies have been fined by the government for failing to pay employees the legally mandated minimum wage; Rachel Reeves plots £1bn cut to Motability scheme.

Since April this year, multiple tax increases in the UK have not only added pressure on businesses but also made the cost-of-living challenge for households more severe—water, electricity, and energy bills have all gone up. From October 1, Ofgem has updated the energy price cap, increasing the average annual household bill by £35.14 to £1,755.14 (up from the £1,720 rate effective since July).

In 2025, global population growth has entered a new stage of observation – many countries are seeing a marked decline in fertility rates, and the world is stepping into a ‘low fertility era’. As the demographic dividend gradually fades, numerous countries are now introducing new policies to encourage childbirth.

Conservatives pledge £5,000 tax rebate for young home buyers; The EU’s new border rolls out, will replace passport stamping at border control; Brits opt for mobile phone payments as cash usage declines.

In recent years, immigration to the UK has reached record highs.  Home Office data shows that in 2023 net migration exceeded 740,000, the highest in history. From the Conservatives raising the salary threshold for work visas, to Labour proposing a ten-year route to permanent residency, tougher immigration policy has become a rare point of cross-party consensus.The Reform UK party went further: if it wins the next general election, it would abolish the right of work visa holde

The UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has confirmed that the next Autumn Statement will be delivered on 26 November.  It is expected to include a series of potential tax adjustments and fiscal reforms. Given that inflation has remained high in recent months and the UK economy has shown weak data, many analysts believe Reeves may avoid raising taxes directly on ‘working people’, such as VAT, income tax, and National Insurance contributions.  Instead, the government may target bank

HMRC Urges 758,000 Young People to Claim Unused Child Trust Funds; Prime Minister’s Labour Conference Focuses on Immigration Policy and Education Reform; Packaging Tax Increases Cost Pressures, UK Food Inflation May Rise by Another 0.5%

Do you know which supermarket is the cheapest in the UK?Aldi has once again been named the cheapest UK supermarket for a standard basket of groceries. However, according to the latest survey by consumer group Which?, Lidl briefly overtook Aldi last month, claiming the top spot as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for the first time since 2023. However, the lead didn’t last long. Aldi quickly reclaimed its position as the cheapest supermarket, pushing Lidl back into second place.

When living and working in the UK, most people associate October with two familiar events: the clocks going back for winter time and Halloween. But there is something far more important than ‘trick or treat’ for many – the critical deadline for self-assessment tax registration. Most employees in the UK pay tax automatically through the PAYE system.

Many UK business owners will already be aware of upcoming compliance changes. Companies House has confirmed that identity verification will soon be compulsory for company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). This month, the agency officially announced the implementation date. From 18 November 2025, company directors and PSCs will be required to provide a personal code when filing registration documents.

HMRC to resume taking tax owed by debtors directly from their bank accounts; The government has announced plans to introduce a digital ID system across the UK; Starmer denies putting seven-acre field in trust to avoid inheritance tax

Fast fashion giant Shein has delivered a striking performance in the UK market. In 2024, its sales surged by 32.3% year-on-year to surpass £2.05 billion (around USD 2.77 billion). This result has already pushed Shein ahead of Boohoo and close to overtaking Asos. The figures come from a report filed by Shein’s UK subsidiary with Companies House, revealing how it has managed to win over millions of fans in one of the world’s most competitive retail landscapes.

One of the main advantages of setting up a limited company in the UK is that shareholders can receive income through dividends. Compared with salary, dividends are taxed at lower rates, which can reduce overall personal tax liabilities. For example, in the 2024/25 tax year, each shareholder benefits from a £500 dividend allowance. Beyond this, dividend income is taxed according to the individual’s income tax band. This means that once income exceeds the personal allowances (£