Political Changes

The UK has abandoned plans to make digital identity mandatory; China’s annual trade surplus has exceeded $1 trillion for the first time; and nearly 340,000 people have paid their Self Assessment tax bills via the HMRC app

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has announced that it will increase relevant fees for patents, trademarks, and designs from 1 April 2026.

HMRC is seeking to recover taxes from 14,000 households amid a dispute over the “seven-year gift rule”; fares across the London Underground network are set to increase by 5.8% in 2026; and the UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in October.

‘Mansion tax’ will have limited impact on property market, UK house prices still rise; Number of flu patients in hospital beds rises by more than 50%; US and UK agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceuticals for three years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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%

Home Office data shows that the UK received 111,000 asylum applications in the year to June 2025 – a 14% increase on the previous year, and higher than the previous peak in 2002. Many people ask: where does the money for asylum seekers and refugees actually come from? Is it funded directly by taxpayers’ contributions?

HMRC raises small business ‘phoenixing’ tax loss to £836mn！150,000 people join 'Unite the Kingdom' march in London! UK economy saw zero growth in July

HMRC has officially announced new rules – from 1 January 2026, tax reporting requirements for crypto assets will tighten significantly, and tax evasion will face severe penalties.

State pension alert: DWP called to raise payments to £586 a week and slash retirement age to 60; Online fashion retailer Shein’s UK sales leap by a third to more than £2bn; UK Cuts Dividend Tax Allowance Twice: 3.6 Million Investors Now Face Tax

In recent years, an increasing number of workers in the UK have chosen to take on part-time work to earn extra income – for example, delivering food in the evenings, selling handmade crafts online, freelancing, or helping friends with various tasks. Flexible side jobs have become an important way to cope with the rising cost of living and to pursue financial independence.

Following significant progress made by the G7 nations on the global minimum tax and the crackdown on multinational tax avoidance, the United States has agreed to remove Section 899 – a retaliatory tax clause against foreign companies – from the Big Beautiful Bill. This move spares UK-based businesses from what could have been an enormous additional tax burden.

Under Rent a Room Scheme, if you live in a UK property and rent out a furnished room in your main home, you could effectively boost your tax-free income to £20,070 per year.

UK investors buy gold coins in record numbers to mitigate against tax; UK retailers warn of more price hikes as tax costs bite; Biometrics to replace stamps at EU border from 12 October