The ongoing conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East is beginning to have economic consequences that are likely to be felt by UK businesses over the coming months. While the situation remains uncertain, press commentary and early government signals provide a useful indication of how the impact may unfold and how policymakers may respond. […]
Pensioners are being urged to stay vigilant for any Winter Fuel Payment scams. HMRC is starting to recover Winter Fuel Payments issued for winter 2025 from those earning over £35,000 a year. While the process will affect nearly two million people, most will see the repayment handled automatically through adjustments to their PAYE tax code […]
The recent announcement from Rachel Reeves highlights a clear shift in the government’s economic approach, placing retail banks at the centre of efforts to stimulate growth and support households and businesses. In a meeting held on 22 April 2026, senior leaders from major UK banks, including Barclays, Lloyds, Santander, NatWest, Nationwide and HSBC, were brought […]
Bonuses are treated as taxable earnings, so both employers and employees need to understand how they are taxed and reported. For cash bonuses (including vouchers that can be exchanged for cash), the rules are straightforward. The payment is added to an employee’s normal salary and taxed through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE). This means […]
A recent initiative led by the Lucy Rigby is shining a light on a surprising issue, many young adults in the UK may be sitting on savings they do not even realise they have. The focus is on Child Trust Funds, long term, tax free savings accounts set up for children born between September 2002 […]
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act introduces the most significant changes to private renting in England for many years. The reforms affect how landlords let property, manage tenants and bring tenancies to an end. For landlords and property investors, understanding these changes is essential to remain compliant and avoid penalties. Fixed term tenancies […]
Late payment remains one of the most common causes of cash flow pressure for small businesses. Even profitable businesses can struggle if invoices are not paid on time. The good news is that there are several practical options available to improve collections, ranging from simple internal processes to more formal recovery action. Start with clear […]
Recent government guidance has highlighted a growing risk of fraud linked to Winter Fuel Payments, with criminals attempting to exploit uncertainty around changes to eligibility and repayment arrangements. Pensioners are being encouraged to remain cautious if they receive unexpected communications claiming to be connected with the payment, particularly where personal or financial information is requested. […]
Raising prices is rarely comfortable for business owners, yet it is often necessary to maintain margins as wages, materials, finance costs and energy bills rise. The difficulty is rarely the price itself. It is the customer’s perception of whether the product or service is still worth the cost. A more effective approach than simply announcing […]
For the 2026-27 tax year, individuals with income between £100,000 and £125,140 face an effective marginal income tax rate of 60%. This unusually high rate is not a separate tax band but arises because the personal allowance is gradually withdrawn once income exceeds £100,000. The personal allowance remains £12,570 for 2026-27 and continues to be […]