Business

Recently, the UK's economic data has sounded the alarm once more. UK retail sales grew by only 1.6% in October 2025. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the unemployment rate rose to 5.0% in the three months to the end of September.

On 26 November 2025, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Reeves announced the highly anticipated Autumn Budget. This Autumn Budget includes several tax measures aimed at businesses and individuals, covering areas such as venture capital, business rates, income tax thresholds, and high-value property taxes.

We have summarised several effective tax planning methods to help small and medium-sized enterprises legally and efficiently reduce their corporation tax burden and improve financial performance.

From 1 February 2026, Companies House will officially increase the Annual Filing Fee for existing companies and the Incorporation Fee for new companies.

Biggest overhaul of legal migration model in 50 years announced; Rail fares to be frozen for first time in 30 years; UK inflation rate hits lowest level in four months

The reforms are widely regarded as the most significant overhaul of the system since Brexit, with major implications for visa-sponsoring employers, international students and foreign professionals seeking long-term residence in the UK.

From the 2025 tax year, the Benefit-in-Kind regime will undergo several changes: higher tax rates for electric vehicles, reclassification of certain car models, and the upcoming introduction of the ‘payrolling’ system for real-time taxation of benefits.

The 2025 Autumn Budget is scheduled for 26 November, more than a month later than last year. The following are among the most discussed possibilities.

If you plan to start a business or are already operating from commercial premises, business rates are a crucial tax to understand in addition to company registration, accounting and tax filing. Business rates are closely tied to your eligibility for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR).

Millions of UK social media users may face £100 tax penalty risks; HMRC is reviewing the suspension of 23,500 child benefit payments; and the Bank of England expects inflation has peaked while maintaining current interest rates.

However, the number of available beds and support services remains far from sufficient to meet the influx. This will push pressure onto local communities and the private rental sector, increasing the likelihood that asylum seekers will be dispersed into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

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.

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.

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%

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