| 12-03-2025
The government has announced its plans for new policies that it expects will make farming more profitable. The new policies include: Seasonal Worker visa route to be extended for another 5 years. New requirements for government catering contracts
| 12-03-2025
The UK government has announced a major funding boost for rural areas, with up to £38 million allocated to support infrastructure, essential services, and business growth in the countryside.
| 12-03-2025
A new deal for GPs has been agreed between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA). Proposed reforms that were accepted by the BMA include an overall funding uplift of £889 million for the 2025/26 GMS contract.
| 12-03-2025
The Future of Roads Minister, Lillian Greenwood, has confirmed that the plug-in van grant will be extended for another year. The plug-in grant means that businesses can obtain grants of up to £2,500 when buying an
| 12-03-2025
The Public Procurement Act 2023, originally set for implementation on 28 October 2024, has now officially come into force. This legislation introduces new rules designed to make it easier for smaller businesses to
| 12-03-2025
News reported last week said that the Chancellor has put together draft plans for spending cuts to welfare and other government departments. At the time of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility
| 26-02-2025
Inflation figures for January 2025 were released last week and showed a surprising jump to 3.0%, up from 2.5% in December. The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
| 26-02-2025
Latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that average wages are continuing to grow faster than inflation. After adjusting for consumer price inflation (CPI), wages rose 3.4% between October
| 26-02-2025
Beginning last week (17 February), Local Authorities were able to begin awarding a 40% reduction in business rates bills to film studios. The tax relief is aimed at boosting the film industry in the UK and contributing
| 18-02-2025
Following the reduction in the Bank of England base rate, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have confirmed that their interest rates will be reduced accordingly. Late payment interest will reduce to 7% from 7.25%.
| 18-02-2025
The UK government is consulting on changes that will require private landlords in England and Wales to meet higher energy performance ratings by 2030. Currently, 48% of all private rented homes have an Energy
| 18-02-2025
The government announced major plans last week to modernise the house buying and selling process. The reforms centre on digitalising and making property and identity data available electronically. This will allow
| 11-02-2025
Legislation was laid before Parliament last week confirming that the new National Living Wage and new Minimum Wage rates will take effect from 1 April 2025. While many businesses are feeling and have expressed
| 11-02-2025
The Charity Commission has issued a warning reminder to large, incorporated charities about changes to the law on preventing fraud. A new failure to prevent fraud offence will come into force on 1 September 2025 for
| 11-02-2025
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed that 37,000 people have plugged gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record since last April, boosting the amount of State Pension they will receive when they reach
| 11-02-2025
The Bank of England reduced their base rate to 4.5% last week, 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
| 04-02-2025
The Prime Minister and Chancellor met with business leaders last week and unveiled proposals to give occupational defined
| 04-02-2025
The new economic secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, has said that there are no plans to regulate businesses, whether big or small, to compel them to accept cash.