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Are You Making Use of the Employment Allowance?
| 23-07-2025
The Tax Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is encouraging employers to take a fresh look at the Employment Allowance. If you have a payroll and are not already claiming this allowance,
UK Economy: Growth Falters, Inflation Rises – Practical Takeaways for Business Owners
| 23-07-2025
Business owners across the UK are facing an increasingly complex economic picture. Inflation has crept up again and recent figures show the economy has
Pension Reforms: What Can You Do to Prepare?
| 15-07-2025
The Government's new Pension Schemes Bill, currently before Parliament, introduces wide-reaching reforms aimed at improving outcomes for pension savers. These changes will not only affect how pensions are
Could Reading More Help Your Business?
| 15-07-2025
The Department for Education has announced a National Year of Reading, launching in January 2026, in a bid to reverse the steady decline in reading for pleasure among young people. According to a survey carried out
Is it Too Hot or Cold to Work? What Employers Need to Know
| 15-07-2025
With the UK experiencing more frequent extremes in temperature - both hot and cold - it’s worth brushing up on what the law says about working conditions, and what you can do to keep
Farm Inspections to Increase by 50% as Environment Agency Steps Up Regulation and Support
| 07-07-2025
Farm businesses are set to face greater scrutiny from the Environment Agency (EA) following an announcement that
Progress as Companies House Reforms Target Economic Crime
| 07-07-2025
Companies House is undergoing a major transformation following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). Backed by new legislative powers,
Big Changes Could Be Coming to Parental Leave – What Employers Should Know
| 07-07-2025
The government has launched a full review of the UK’s parental leave and pay system, aiming to make it fairer, simpler and better suited to the needs of modern
Earning Extra Income? You Might Need to File a Tax Return – Here’s What to Know
| 30-06-2025
If you earn extra income from a side hustle, you could be legally required to register for Self Assessment and complete a tax return - and it’s better to get
Ten Years of Free Companies House Data – and How It Can Help Your Business
| 30-06-2025
Last week marked ten years since Companies House made all digital company data freely available through its online service on GOV.UK.
Inflation Falls Slightly to 3.4% for May
| 25-06-2025
According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the main rate of inflation decreased from 3.5% in April to 3.4% in the year to May. Looking at the figures behind the headline rate shows that food prices
New Small Business Commissioner Appointed to Tackle Late Payments
| 25-06-2025
Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has been appointed as the new Small Business Commissioner. Taking up the role on 23 June 2025, Jones succeeds Liz Barclay and will lead efforts to address late payments
Should You Own a Property Through a Company – or Personally?
| 25-06-2025
If you're considering buying a property, especially as an investment, one of the key decisions you'll face is whether to hold it personally or through a limited company. This choice can have long-term tax, financial, and
How to Protect Sensitive Personal Information
| 17-06-2025
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published new guidance to help businesses identify and protect against the risks of holding sensitive personal information. The guidance can help you to understand what
New Digital Hub for Technology Procurement
| 17-06-2025
The UK government has announced a new digital marketplace that will change the way the public sector buys technology. Plans are for the digital hub,
Tax-Free Childcare: Are You Benefiting?
| 17-06-2025
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have released their latest figures on the take-up of Tax-Free Childcare. For the 2024-25 tax year, almost 826,000 families saved up to ÂŁ2,000 per child. During March 2025, 579,560 UK
Hiring Slows as Costs Rise
| 17-06-2025
New data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that UK businesses are continuing to slow down recruitment, with job vacancies falling by 63,000 between March and May. While this doesn’t indicate a full-blown
Spending Review 2025: Takeaway Points for Your Business
| 17-06-2025
Last week, the Chancellor unveiled her Spending Review setting out how government departments will allocate money over the coming years. While much of the focus

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The Tax Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is encouraging employers to take a fresh look at the Employment Allowance. If you have a payroll and are not already claiming this allowance, it could reduce your employer national insurance contributions (NICs) by up to ÂŁ10,500 for the 2025/26 tax year. It’s a simple, practical incentive that’s already widely used – over 1.2 million employers claimed it in 2024/25 – but some businesses are still missing out, especially newer or smaller employers unfamiliar with the scheme. What is the Employment Allowance? The allowance reduces an employer’s Class 1 NIC liability, and is applied through your payroll, meaning you feel the benefit in real time. Who can claim? The ICAEW’s Tax Faculty point out that all employers, including businesses, charities and individuals employing a care or support worker can claim, with the following exceptions: One restriction to note is that if you employ someone whose earnings are subject to the off-payroll working rules, or a nanny or gardener or someone else providing personal household or domestic work (and they’re not a carer or support worker), then the allowance can’t be used to offset the Employers NIC due on their specific wages. Also, if your business operates multiple payrolls or is connected to other companies (e.g. within a family business structure), you can only claim once. Determining whether companies are connected isn’t always straightforward to work out, so it’s best to get advice if you’re unsure. What’s new for 2025/26? Can you claim for previous years? Yes – you can go back four tax years. Which means if you were eligible but didn’t claim Employment Allowance for the 2021/22 tax year, you still have until 5 April 2026 to make a claim. The eligibility requirements can vary for different tax years, so the ICAEW advises that you check the specific eligibility rules for each year before making a retrospective claim. Bottom Line If you’re not already taking advantage of it, the Employment Allowance offers real cash-flow benefits. If you would like help in making a claim or checking if you are eligible, please get in touch and we would be happy to help you. See: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/jul-2025/how-to-make-the-employment-allowance-work-for-you

Business owners across the UK are facing an increasingly complex economic picture. Inflation has crept up again and recent figures show the economy has contracted for two months in a row. So, what’s really going on – and what should you be doing as a business owner?

Inflation rises again

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show inflation rose to 3.6% in the year to June, up from 3.4% in May. This is the sharpest increase since January 2024 and was driven mainly by rising motor fuel and food prices. Food price inflation has increased for the third consecutive month.

The Bank of England expects inflation to peak around 3.7% in the summer before easing towards its 2% target later in the year. But for now, rising prices are continuing to put pressure on households and businesses alike.

Economic growth faltering

The economy shrank by 0.1% in May, following a 0.1% fall in April. These figures were worse than expected and are mainly down to a drop in manufacturing and weak retail sales. While the economy saw strong growth earlier in the year, that now looks like a temporary boost – partly due to changes in US tariffs and the end of the UK stamp duty break.

Although the economy isn’t technically in recession, it is clearly struggling. Business confidence and activity in some sectors remain fragile, and growth may be modest in the months ahead.

Interest rate cuts on the horizon

There may be some relief ahead in the form of lower interest rates. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has said he believes the path for rates is “downward”, and many economists expect a rate cut at the next review in August.

Rates currently sit at 4.25%. A rate cut would reduce the cost of borrowing and could help ease pressure on mortgages, loans and credit. The Bank is being cautious because inflation is above target. However, Mr Bailey indicated that if the job market is showing signs of cooling down the Bank will be prepared to make cuts.

There are signs of that happening. The number of job vacancies has fallen to its lowest level since 2021, and more people are now available for work.

Many employers are struggling to absorb increased payroll costs due to the government’s recent increase in National Insurance for employers as well as the National Living Wage. As an example, National Trust cited these as reasons for its plan to cut 550 jobs from its payroll over the next few weeks.

What are the takeaways for your business

Here are some key takeaways and practical tips for navigating the current climate:

  1. Keep an eye on costs: With inflation on the rise again, review your costs – especially around fuel, food and other goods affected by price increases. If you can, negotiate supplier contracts early to lock in rates.
  1. Plan for potential interest rate cuts: If your business has borrowing (loans, overdrafts or credit lines), a rate cut in August could reduce your costs. Consider reviewing repayment terms or refinancing if you expect rates to drop further later in the year.
  1. Watch your cashflow: If the economy is stalling, demand in some sectors may weaken. Make sure you have a clear view of your cashflow over the next 3-6 months. Adjust your spending plans if needed and chase payments due from your customers promptly.
  1. Take care with hiring decisions: Given slower economic growth and higher employer NICs, it’s sensible to be cautious with recruitment. Consider flexible or temporary options if you’re unsure about long-term demand.
  1. Exporting? Look abroad for growth: Some UK businesses are still thriving by focusing on overseas markets. If your product or service can be exported, this may be a way to grow even if domestic demand softens.
  1. Be ready for tax changes at the Autumn Budget: The Chancellor will face difficult choices later this year, and some are anticipating further tax changes. We’ll be keeping you updated as we learn more.

Final thoughts

It’s a challenging environment, but not without opportunities. If you stay alert, control what you can, and keep your plans flexible you’re likely to be well placed to keep your business resilient as the economic picture develops.

If you need help reviewing your costs, cashflow or hiring strategy in light of these changes, we’re here to help.

The Government’s new Pension Schemes Bill, currently before Parliament, introduces wide-reaching reforms aimed at improving outcomes for pension savers. These changes will not only affect how pensions are administered but also impact scheme selection, cost management, and employee engagement over the long term.

Figures released last week suggest that the average worker on an average salary saving into a pension pot over their working life could benefit by up to ÂŁ29,000 when they retire.

Here are two of the measures that could particularly affect small employers.

  1. Automatic Consolidation of Small Pension Pots

Small pension pots under ÂŁ1,000, often created when employees change jobs, will now be automatically consolidated into large, authorised schemes that have been certified as delivering good value.

This change will reduce the administrative work involved in holding and reporting on multiple inactive pots. This could have an indirect benefit to employers too.

  1. Schemes Will Need to Prove They Are Value for Money

Pension schemes will need to meet new regulatory standards to prove they offer long-term value, not just low charges. This will help protect savers from getting stuck in underperforming schemes. The intention is to help employees get the best possible retirement outcomes.

As an employer, you will need to make sure the default pension scheme you use is meeting these standards. Failing to do so will run the risk of being required to switch schemes.

In addition, a poorly performing scheme could affect the value of the benefits package you offer and might lead to losing existing or potential employees.

What Can You Do to Prepare?

By staying ahead of these changes now, you can ensure your business continues to provide high-quality, compliant pension arrangements that support your employees’ long-term financial wellbeing.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/workers-in-line-for-29000-boost-thanks-to-landmark-pensions-bill

The Department for Education has announced a National Year of Reading, launching in January 2026, in a bid to reverse the steady decline in reading for pleasure among young people.

According to a survey carried out by the National Literacy Trust, just 1 in 3 of children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025. Less than 1 in 5 said they used their free time to read daily. This is the lowest these statistics have been in 20 years.

The National Year of Reading campaign aims to reignite a reading culture by involving parents, schools, libraries, and businesses. While the initiative is focused on children and families, there could be wider benefits.

Reading regularly for pleasure has been shown to reduce stress and can improve decision-making. Considering the multiple responsibilities you juggle, reading may not only lessen your stress levels but also freshen your approach when it comes to work.

Books can also give you new ideas – whether it’s a biography that reshapes how you think about leadership, or a business title that gives you some new marketing strategies.

Reading for pleasure is also linked with stronger writing skills. Being a more confident and a clearer communicator, whether in an email or a client pitch, could benefit you in your interactions with customers and suppliers. A culture of reading within your team could similarly have a positive effect on how your staff engage with customers and each other.

There are community-level benefits too. A more literate population supports a stronger workforce. Supporting reading initiatives – by partnering with schools, donating books, or perhaps encouraging employees to read with their children – could play a part in helping to build the foundations of a more skilled and confident workforce in the long term.

The National Year of Reading presents a timely reminder: reading is not just for classrooms and libraries. It can be a practical and powerful tool in your personal growth and in developing your business.

See: https://literacytrust.org.uk/news/parents-urged-to-read-more-to-boost-childrens-life-chances/

With the UK experiencing more frequent extremes in temperature – both hot and cold – it’s worth brushing up on what the law says about working conditions, and what you can do to keep your team comfortable and safe.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides a useful guide that can help you make sure you’re one step ahead of the law.

Is there a maximum workplace temperature?

You might be surprised to learn there’s no legal upper limit when it comes to how hot a workplace can be. That’s because some working environments – like bakeries or foundries – naturally reach high temperatures due to the nature of the job.

However, that doesn’t mean employers can ignore the heat. Under health and safety law, you must:

And the minimum?

For indoor workplaces, the rules are a little clearer:

Outdoor working comes with extra risk

Working outdoors in hot (or cold) environments can quickly affect your employees’ health. There can be long-term health effects too, such as skin cancer. And the weather can affect an employee’s ability to handle machinery or other tasks safely.

It’s therefore important to make sure you have measures in place to protect those who may be working outdoors.

If your business involves extreme temperatures

In some sectors, extreme temperatures are part of the job. If this applies to your business, then you would need to consider things like heat stress, dehydration or cold stress.

Final thoughts

There may be no fixed maximum temperature at work, but the key principle is that employees should not be working in conditions that put their health at risk. If your team is too hot or cold, it’s worth reviewing what you can do to help. Sometimes, just making a few small adjustments can make a real difference.

See: https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

Farm businesses are set to face greater scrutiny from the Environment Agency (EA) following an announcement that the number of annual inspections will increase by around 50% over the next four years. The move is part of a wider government strategy to improve environmental performance in agriculture and reduce pollution from farming activities.

Under the new plan, the number of farm inspections is expected to reach 6,000 per year by 2029.

A Stronger Regulatory Framework

The EA’s inspection programme focuses on enforcing environmental laws, including those around issues such as fertiliser use, slurry storage, soil health, and runoff into watercourses. While the core aim is to reduce pollution and protect rivers, lakes and wildlife, the shift also signals a firmer approach to compliance, with additional capacity for enforcement in cases of serious or repeated non-compliance.

Farms that present the highest risk to water quality will be prioritised. These will include areas where agricultural activity has already affected rivers or groundwater, or where large volumes of slurry and waste are handled. 

What This Means for Farmers

For farmers, the implications are mixed. On one hand, most are interested in protecting the environment, however an increase in inspections is likely to be time-consuming or burdensome, particularly if you are already working to tight margins.

However, the Environment Agency has said the additional funding will help them to provide more advisory support, clearer guidance, and stronger links to farm networks and supply chains. This could mean a more supportive approach from the Environment Agency where they find a willingness to respond to advice.

Next Steps

For farm businesses, the coming years are likely to bring more regulatory engagement and higher expectations around environmental standards. Those already investing in sustainable practices may welcome the advisory elements of the changes, while others may need to reassess their compliance strategies to avoid enforcement actions as inspections ramp up.

In practical terms, now may be a good time for you to review your current practices, identify any potential risks, and make use of available support and guidance.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-to-cut-agricultural-pollution

Companies House is undergoing a major transformation following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). Backed by new legislative powers, the agency is shifting from a passive registrar to an active gatekeeper – taking direct action against fraud, money laundering, and misuse of the UK’s corporate framework.

A newly published progress report highlights the scale and impact of this reform so far. Key achievements include:

Mandatory Identity Verification

The changes being brought about by the ECCTA mark a new era of corporate regulation in the UK. While the new measures are primarily aimed at deterring criminal activity, they also raise the bar for all companies in terms of compliance and the accuracy of information filed with Companies House.

A key upcoming development is mandatory identity verification for company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) – this is expected to become mandatory by autumn 2025. However, Companies House have already begun contacting many companies to encourage voluntarily starting the process early. 

How We Can Help

Our company secretarial services are designed to help businesses stay compliant and adapt to these evolving requirements with confidence. Whether you need support with director and PSC filings, maintaining statutory registers, or preparing for the upcoming identity verification rules, we can help you stay on the right side of regulation while focusing on what matters most – running your business.

If you’re concerned about how these changes may affect your company, or simply want to ensure you’re fully prepared, get in touch with our team today. We will be happy to help you!

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-powers-yield-real-world-impact-in-companies-house-economic-crime-crackdown

The government has launched a full review of the UK’s parental leave and pay system, aiming to make it fairer, simpler and better suited to the needs of modern families.

This is part of the government’s wider ‘Plan to Make Work Pay, and it could lead to significant reforms in how maternity, paternity and shared parental leave work – with the potential to affect businesses and employers across the country.

Why now?

The review comes in response to growing concern that the current system is complicated and unaffordable for many families – especially new fathers and partners. Currently, one in three dads don’t take paternity leave, often because they simply can’t afford to. Shared parental leave is available but uptake remains very low.

What’s being reviewed?

The Government will be looking at the whole parental leave system, from maternity and paternity leave through to shared parental leave. The goal is to make the system work better for both parents and employers.

What this might mean for you

If you employ staff, particularly younger adults or growing families, this review could eventually lead to changes in your statutory obligations. It might mean:

But it could also mean simpler rules to navigate, which would be welcome for many employers!

It’s worth keeping in mind that these changes won’t happen overnight. The review will gather views from parents, businesses and experts across the country before any new policies are introduced.

What can you do now?

Right now, there’s no action required – but it’s worth keeping this on your radar. Here are a few tips:

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-review-of-parental-leave-launched

If you earn extra income from a side hustle, you could be legally required to register for Self Assessment and complete a tax return – and it’s better to get ahead of it now, rather than wait until the January deadline.

The threshold is simple: if you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year from any additional income, you may need to file. This applies whether you’re selling online, renting out property, freelancing, creating content, dog walking, tutoring, or even trading cryptoassets.

Why Act Now?

Filing early means you:

You don’t need to pay immediately – the deadline for payment is still 31 January 2026 for the 2024-25 tax year – but getting your return done early gives you options and avoids surprises.

Many people running side hustles or earning income outside of employment simply don’t realise that tax rules apply – until it’s too late. If you’re unsure whether you need to file, or want help staying compliant, get in touch with us. We’ll guide you through what’s required and make it as straightforward as possible.

Last week marked ten years since Companies House made all digital company data freely available through its online service on GOV.UK. Since launching on 22 June 2015, the Find and Update company information tool has become one of the UK’s most heavily used public data services, with over 16.5 billion searches carried out in 2023-24 alone.

The data includes details on every UK-registered company – such as directors, financial filings, registered addresses, filing history, and company status. It’s used every day by lenders, investors, regulators, law enforcement, and businesses of all sizes to make informed decisions.

How This Data Can Help You Run and Grow Your Business

As your accountant, we regularly use Companies House data behind the scenes – but it’s also a powerful tool that you can use to support growth, reduce risk, and manage your operations more effectively.

Here are some practical ways it can benefit your business:

What’s Next?

The data is about to become even more reliable. New reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act will introduce mandatory identity verification for directors and other checks to improve accuracy.

If you’re unsure how to make the most of this information or would like help integrating it into your processes – from onboarding checks to competitor tracking – let’s talk. We’re here to help you use every tool available to support the health and growth of your business.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-celebrates-10-years-of-open-data

According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the main rate of inflation decreased from 3.5% in April to 3.4% in the year to May.

Looking at the figures behind the headline rate shows that food prices have increased for the third month in a row. At 4.4%, this represents the highest inflation rate for food since February 2024.

Some feel that these increases are because businesses are passing on the costs of April’s increase in employer’s national insurance.

However, this is not the only factor at play. Prices for chocolate have increased by 17.7% in the year to May. This is primarily due to bad harvests in areas that produce cocoa meaning that stocks of chocolate have been low and pushing prices up.

The figures showed some good news though in the form of cheaper travel prices.

While inflation had reduced in the earlier part of the year, the current figures show that inflationary pressures continue to be felt.

See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ygdqp922vo

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has been appointed as the new Small Business Commissioner. Taking up the role on 23 June 2025, Jones succeeds Liz Barclay and will lead efforts to address late payments and improve payment practices across the UK.

The role of the Small Business Commissioner was created to support the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, particularly in their dealings with larger firms. Late payment remains a persistent issue for small business owners and the self-employed. Recent research from Intuit QuickBooks found that, on average, SMEs were owed £21,400 in late payments during 2024.

During Liz Barclay’s tenure, the Fair Payment Code was launched in December 2024. The code encourages businesses to commit to faster and fairer payment practices, and over 300 businesses have already signed up. Barclay also helped shape upcoming proposals for further legislation aimed at improving payment terms – with a major consultation expected later this year.

The new Small Business Commissioner said: “Having done it myself, I know the commitment it takes to start and grow a successful business.”

In her new role, Jones is expected to continue developing practical tools and guidance to help small businesses resolve payment disputes and access support.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-appoints-emma-jones-cbe-as-new-small-business-commissioner-to-help-tackle-late-payments

If you’re considering buying a property, especially as an investment, one of the key decisions you’ll face is whether to hold it personally or through a limited company. This choice can have long-term tax, financial, and administrative implications, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Here’s a look at some of the main considerations.

Tax on Profits

One of the most common reasons people use a limited company is the difference in how profits are taxed.

If you own a property personally, rental profits are taxed as income. If you are a higher-rate taxpayer that could mean a tax rate of up to 45%. Mortgage interest relief is also restricted under current rules, meaning higher-rate taxpayers can no longer deduct all their finance costs.

With a limited company, rental profits are subject to corporation tax, and all mortgage interest can be treated as a business expense.

However, if you want to take money out of the company, usually done through dividends or salaries, there is likely to be further tax to pay. So, the benefits depend on what you plan to do with the income.

Tax on Selling the Property

If the property is sold at a profit, there are differences in how Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies.

Individuals have a CGT tax-free allowance with the rate of tax paid depending on their income and the property type. Companies on the other hand simply pay corporation tax on the gain. However, companies have no tax-free allowance and there can be different rules that apply to how the gain is calculated.

Again, the right route depends on your plans – whether you’re building long-term wealth inside a company or want easier access to the proceeds personally.

Mortgage Availability and Costs

Getting a mortgage through a limited company can be more complicated and is often more expensive, with fewer lenders and potentially higher interest rates. Lenders will also usually require a personal guarantee from the directors.

Administrative and Legal Responsibilities

A company comes with extra administrative and legal responsibilities. There’s filing annual accounts, confirmation statements, corporation tax returns, and keeping proper records that all need to be considered. If you already run a company, this might not be an issue, but if not, it’s important you factor in the time and cost.

Inheritance and Succession Planning

Owning property through a company can offer more flexibility in passing wealth on to family members. Shares in a company can be gifted or passed on more easily than physical property – though care is still needed because of tax implications.

So What’s Best?

The best option depends on your goals: whether you need the income now, plan to reinvest profits, want to keep things simple, or are thinking long-term about passing assets to others. There’s no single answer – and the rules can change over time.

We have a ‘Property – in or Out?’ tool that we can use to help you determine whether it is better for you to own property inside or outside of a company. If you’re unsure which route suits you best, this tool is a great place to start. Please get in touch and we would be happy to help you!

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published new guidance to help businesses identify and protect against the risks of holding sensitive personal information.

The guidance can help you to understand what sensitive personal information is and identify any that your business holds. It also provides some principles that, if applied, can reduce risks from holding that data.

Here’s a brief review of the guidance.

What is Sensitive Personal Information?

NCSC explains that there is no formal definition of what sensitive personal information (SPI) is. They explain that it’s necessary to consider possible risks that are associated with sensitivities in information you hold about individuals. For instance, would a compromise of that information increase the risk of harm, harassment or prejudice to the individual.

Examples might include an individual’s profession, their personal life characteristic, or their status.

Assessing the Risks

The guidance advises that the severity of the impact that could arise from misuse of the data should be used to determine how strong your data protections will be. NCSC cover a few questions that can help you in making your assessment.

Nine Principles

NCSC provide nine principles that can help protect SPI as well as some example measures you can use. The principles are:

  1. Understand what data you have and the risks to it.
  2. Ensure only appropriate access to sensitive data.
  3. Ensure you know who is accessing data which contains SPI.
  4. Make sure access to sensitive data cannot be misused.
  5. Avoid putting too much sensitive data together.
  6. When merging data, check if SPI becomes exposed.
  7. When sharing data, check if SPI becomes exposed.
  8. Ensure that the records of individuals with SPI do not appear to be stored, processed or handled differently to those without such sensitive data.
  9. Keep access controls to SPI separate from routine data access controls.

Final Thoughts

Cyberattacks seem to be on the increase and a data breach can have serious consequences to a business. This may particularly be the case if the business is holding sensitive personal information about individuals.

Besides fines and penalties from the Information Commissioner’s Office, there is also loss of customer trust, disruption to your business operations, costs of recovery and potential legal claims from customers or clients whose data was compromised.

If you hold sensitive personal information in your business, reviewing NCSC’s new guidance could be well worth your time.

See: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/security-principles-protecting-most-sensitive-personal-information-in-datasets

The UK government has announced a new digital marketplace that will change the way the public sector buys technology.

Plans are for the digital hub, which is still in early development, to help public sector organisations be able to benefit from collective buying power. The hub will also use AI to match organisations with suppliers based on their needs.

A recent State of Digital Government report showed that although many public sector organisations use similar tools, they source and negotiate contracts on an individual basis. The new digital marketplace will give users the ability to rate and review the technology they use, allowing other users to benefit from shared collective experiences.

What Could This Mean for Tech Suppliers?

The new digital platform is being created under the revised Procurement Regulations. A “digital playbook” detailing best practice in purchasing decisions is also being developed to help with public sector procurement.

Tech businesses who are, or would like to be, involved in public sector contracts will want to keep an eye on developments.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-stop-shop-for-tech-could-save-taxpayers-12-billion-and-overhaul-how-government-buys-digital-tools

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have released their latest figures on the take-up of Tax-Free Childcare.

For the 2024-25 tax year, almost 826,000 families saved up to ÂŁ2,000 per child. During March 2025, 579,560 UK families used the scheme, a 16% increase on the number using the scheme in March 2024.

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

The Tax-Free Childcare scheme allows parents to deposit money in a Tax-Free Childcare account, where the government provides a 25% top-up up to a maximum of ÂŁ2,000 per child (or ÂŁ4,000 if the child is disabled). For example, if parents deposit ÂŁ8, the government provides a ÂŁ2 top up.

The money held on deposit can be used whenever needed to pay for childcare.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for the scheme is based on families:

Families also cannot be receiving Universal Credit or childcare vouchers to qualify.

The Scheme May Benefit Employers Too

If you are an employer with staff who are parents, making them aware of this scheme may help to ease the financial burden of childcare for them. This could promote their wellbeing but also reduce the chances of you losing trained and valuable members of your team.

The scheme may also help parents in returning to work after having a child, allowing the business to continue to benefit from the experience and training you have invested in them.

For further information about Tax-Free Childcare and how parents can register, see: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

New data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that UK businesses are continuing to slow down recruitment, with job vacancies falling by 63,000 between March and May.

While this doesn’t indicate a full-blown jobs crisis, it’s a clear sign that the labour market is cooling. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% (from 4.5%), the highest it has been in nearly four years.

What’s Driving the Change?

Rising employment costs are a big factor. From April, employers have had to pay higher National Insurance contributions, and the national minimum wage has gone up too. The figures suggest that these changes are affecting how businesses manage staffing.

According to the ONS, some employers are choosing not to replace staff when they leave or are putting off recruiting new workers altogether.

While average wage growth between February and April slowed slightly to 5.2%, it still outpaces inflation, which rose to 3.5% in April. This suggests that although wage pressure is slowing, employers still need to carefully manage pay expectations.

What This Means for Your Business

If you’re finding recruitment more difficult or too expensive, the figures suggest that you’re not alone.

This could be a good time to:

If you need help with reviewing your staffing strategy or payroll planning, please give us a call. We would be happy to help you!

See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp92edelzero

Last week, the Chancellor unveiled her Spending Review setting out how government departments will allocate money over the coming years. While much of the focus was on large-scale public services like the NHS and schools, there are some important signals here for businesses to take note of – both in terms of opportunity and outlook.

Zero-based Review

A theme of the review was scrutiny. The Chancellor described the exercise as a “zero-based” review – meaning department budgets were built from scratch, rather than from making changes to what was already in place. The aim, according to the government, was to focus spending only where it delivers value for money.

This may strike a chord with you as a business owner. As you plan for upcoming months, there’s something to be said for taking a zero-based approach yourself.

You could do this by questioning whether each cost is still serving the business. This may help you see areas where reallocating funds could help the business grow or be more efficient.

Everyone is Under Pressure with Costs

Public sector pay rises in education and healthcare are being part-funded through expectations of increased “productivity” in those sectors.

This provides a reminder that cost pressures are widespread and efficiency will be a watchword in public contracts and procurement. If you supply to public sector organisation, you may need to be prepared for closer scrutiny of your prices and performance.

Increases in Capital Investment

Elsewhere, the review confirms increased capital investment in areas like transport infrastructure and social housing. Over time, this may bring new opportunities for construction and related industries. However, spending will be spread over a long period.

Similarly, investment in AI, tech and scientific infrastructure (including a new supercomputer in Edinburgh) could create demand for highly specialised services, but the benefits may take time to filter through.

Speeding Up Infrastructure Projects

The Chancellor also flagged changes to the way the Treasury evaluates infrastructure projects, promising a more modern approach. This might affect which types of projects get greenlit and how quickly – something worth watching if you’re bidding for public contracts or working in the built environment.

Final Thoughts

While headlines may focus on big numbers and high-level priorities, the underlying message of this Spending Review is relevant for businesses of all sizes: pressure on budgets, rising expectations of value, and a focus on getting more from what’s already being spent.

If you’d like help reviewing your own budgets or planning for the year ahead, we’re here to support you.

See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyr170qm19o