In Brighton, independent shops have never been just places to trade; they are the glue of the community, carriers of culture, and experiences found ‘only in Brighton’.

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

According to changes announced by the Labour Party in the Autumn Budget, starting from 2029, salary sacrifice pension contributions exceeding £2,000 will begin to attract National Insurance, completely changing the structure of this benefit system.

HMRC hits 300,000 taxpayers with ‘trivial’ bills

Self Assessment customers can spread the cost of their tax bill with HMRC’s Time to Pay service; UK Plans New Council Tax Bands with Charges up to £7,500; New Crypto Tax Rules Introduced in the UK and 47 Other Countries

Boxing Day promotions in the UK are regaining momentum and are expected to generate £3.8 billion in sales for retailers; Uber and Lyft have announced plans to pilot Chinese autonomous taxis in the UK in 2026; UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced the date of the Spring Budget.

HMRC reports receiving more than 135,000 reports of tax-related fraud; the Bank of England cuts the interest rate to 3.75%; an overview of widespread rail closures and service adjustments in London during the Christmas and New Year period.

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.

The UK plans to abolish the tax exemption for low-value parcels by March 2029; the income-tax threshold freeze is pushing millions into higher tax bands, increasing the burden on working households; and net migration has fallen sharply as work and study visa arrivals decline significantly.

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.

Labour will abandon its plan to raise income tax in the upcoming budget; Black Friday spending in the UK may reach £14 billion amid rising scam risks; and ticket-resale platform Viagogo has been hit with a £15 million tax demand.

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.

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).

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.

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.