The government has announced plans to raise an additional £7.5 billion by stepping up efforts to close the tax gap - the difference between the tax HMRC expects to collect and what is actually paid. Figures published on 19 June show that £46.8 billion in tax went unpaid in the 2023-24 tax year. That’s 5.3% […]
James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, made a Written Ministerial Statement that included a total of 39 tax simplification, administration and reform measures. Many measures are intended to reduce burdens on employers and small businesses, whereas others are designed to modernise H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) systems and processes. Here are five […]
April 2025 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Spring Statement last week in which she outlined the government’s economic plans, including spending decisions, tax policies and efforts to boost growth while managing public finances. What did the statement tell us about public finances and the economy? The Statement came on the back […]
The Bank of England reduced their base rate to 4.5% last month, as had been widely expected in the days leading up to the decision. The decision was made by a 7-2 majority. The minority of two members were looking for the rate to be reduced to 4.25%. Could this suggest a run throughout 2025 […]
Official figures released in January reveal that UK inflation fell slightly in December, down to 2.5% from 2.6% in November. While the drop is marginal, it has sparked discussion in the press as to whether this easing of inflation might prompt the Bank of England to consider cutting interest rates. At the same time, there […]
Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the relationships that matter most in your life, whether it’s with your partner, your friends, or most importantly, yourself. But amidst the chocolates and flowers, there’s another relationship that deserves your attention: the one with your business finances. As a business owner, your financial health plays […]
The government has unveiled some significant reforms to employment support, underpinned by a £240 million investment. The measures aim to address deep-rooted issues of unemployment, economic inactivity, and barriers to work, as detailed in the recently published Get Britain Working White Paper. Figures quoted in the government’s announcement made for sobering reading. 1.5 million are […]
As the calendar turns to 2025, it’s the perfect time for small businesses to set new goals and refine their financial strategies. The new year offers an opportunity to evaluate what worked in the past, identify areas for improvement, and establish clear financial objectives to drive growth and stability. For small businesses in the UK, […]
Good news for workers, but not so much for businesses On October 30 2024, Rachel Reeves delivered her first Budget speech. As the first Budget speech ever delivered by a female Chancellor of the Exchequer, the occasion was bound to be one for the history books regardless of what was said. The Chancellor’s speech lasted […]
Being an effective leader involves recognising it’s impossible to be right all the time. Constructive conflict should be embraced in business. In fact, sometimes “no” is ultimately more useful than ‘yes”. The best managers and leaders in the business world, seek and accept critical feedback from trusted colleagues to maintain a balanced perspective. Recognising that […]
