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Business News Archive

June 2025

High earners facing rise in tax investigations by HMRC
Windsor Framework starting to fracture the UK Internal Market, warns FSB
HMRC sends side hustle warning
Brits 'spending more disposable income than a year ago'
UK government launches Industrial Strategy
Tax gap estimated at 5.3%
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25%
Third of businesses planning job cuts due to NI rise
UK inflation slows to 3.4% in May
HMRC system attack is a timely reminder to keep personal data safe
Global economy set for weakest run since 2008, warns World Bank
Economists warn tax hikes likely in the autumn
UK economy shrunk in April
Spending review is opportunity to back small business
FCA in international crackdown on unlawful finfluencers
Energy costs 'an anchor on our ambition', warns CBI chief
Government introduces Pension Schemes Bill
Cost of minimum retirement lifestyle has fallen amid lower energy prices
Recovery in business confidence underway
IFS outlines 'four big decisions' for Spending Review
HMRC names and shames employers failing to pay NLW

May 2025

Chancellor outlines pension 'megafunds' plans
New report outlines path to cut firms' net zero costs
IMF updates growth forecast for UK economy
Household Support Fund 'needs reforming'
Higher borrowing figures 'increase prospect of tax rises'
Chancellor confirms ISA allowance won't be cut
Household bills drive inflation increase
Almost half of sole traders unprepared for MTD changes
One in ten people have no cash savings
Parents of teens reminded to extend Child Benefit claim online
UK economy grows 0.7% in first quarter
Entrepreneurs considering selling businesses due to tax changes
One in four employers plan to make redundancies in next quarter
Record numbers file assessment in first week of new tax year
Interest rates cut to 4.25%
HMRC criticised for delays in processing tax refunds
Business confidence rises to highest level since late 2024
Government warned over 'lost generation'
HMRC launches new online help for compliance checks
New cryptoasset rules aim to protect consumers

April 2025

Lack of trust and board expertise putting brakes on AI adoption
Chancellor unveils plans to maintain level playing field for British business
IHT receipts reach record £8.2 billion
Government taking right approach to tariff negotiations
Sole traders and landlords get Making Tax Digital warning
Tax red tape costs small businesses nearly £25 billion a year
More parents financing children's house deposits
Business confidence falls to two-year low
Inflation falls as result of lower petrol prices
Companies House begins to verify identities
Spending Review 'could brighten living standards outlook'
Business group welcomes launch of Code of Practice
Price rises 'most likely response' to US tariffs
Pension reforms needed to help people through retirement
Government calls time on red tape for pubs, clubs, and restaurants
UK firms show 'resilience' as exports grow in January
Confidence amongst business leaders 'remains low'
Loan charge review calls for evidence
Minimum wage rose on 1 April
Campaigners call for tougher action on fraud

March 2025

Employment reforms continue to stifle businesses' hiring intentions
Government 'wrong to balance books on backs of low-income families'
Chancellor used Spring Statement to 'fine-tune' spending plans
No further tax increases in Spring Statement
2025 Spring Statement - the political reaction
2025 Spring Statement - the business reaction
2025 Spring Statement - the economic picture
2025 Spring Statement - what to expect
Finance Act 2025 receives Royal Assent
Act now to boost your state pension, warn tax experts
Bank walking 'tightrope' in the face of global uncertainty
Chancellor should consider tax rises in the Spring Statement
OECD cuts UK growth forecasts
Chancellor unveils plan to cut red tape
Regulator poised to act on card payment fees
UK economy shrank in January
Government must tackle 'archaic' infrastructure
Side hustle trading threshold raised to £3,000 per year
Concerns over costs mount for business leaders
25,000 first-time buyers set to miss Stamp Duty deadline
Chancellor has set herself a 'fiscal trap' ahead of Spring Statement
Employment Rights amendments do little to address employer concerns
Private sector activity expected to fall
HMRC 'softens' deadline for National Insurance top-ups
Workers 'put in £31 billion of unpaid overtime' in 2024

February 2025

Changes in family spending 'crucial to decarbonisation'
Gender pay gap 'stubbornly high'
Businesses warn of National Insurance 'powder keg'
Entrepreneurs call for better access to financial products
Tax receipts rise at slower than expected pace
Fewer small firms looking to hire, FSB finds
HMRC cuts late and repayment interest rates
Higher-than-expected inflation underlines business challenges
Business confidence hits post-Covid low
Government consults on mandatory e-invoicing
Small firms call for £3,000 apprentices incentive
UK economy grows at end of 2024
Business group urges government to help firms grow
Business tax compliance costs £15 billion a year
Firms face increasing cyber security risk, warns BCC
Rate cut brings 'measure of relief' to business
£35 million added to State Pension pots
Firms call for reduction in tax burden on business
11.5 million file self assessment by 31 January deadline
British household wealth increases to £13.6 trillion

January 2025

Trade strategy 'prize is huge', says BCC
Pension reforms to 'unlock billions' in government growth agenda
UK firms expecting slowdown, CBI finds
Government commissions review of Loan Charge
Consumer confidence falls to lowest point in over a year
3.4 million still to file self assessment returns as deadline approaches
Parliamentary watchdog accuses HMRC of 'degrading' phone services
Data reveals exports fell flat at end of 2024
IMF upgrades UK outlook
Flexibility in English and Maths rules would increase take up of apprenticeships
Business group outlines pro-growth measures
UK economy returns to growth in November
UK inflation dips to 2.5% in December
Government to 'unleash' AI to boost growth
CIOT calls on government to rewrite unfair VAT rules
Optimism wanes as Budget measures affect investment
92% of employers 'concerned about Employment Rights Bill'
Significant amount of businesses worried about tax hikes
5.4 million yet to file their self assessment tax return
Business leaders remain cautious on the outlook for the year ahead
Government must reset EU trade relations, urges BCC
Over 40,000 file self assessment over the Christmas break

December 2024

Have you made your financial New Year's resolutions?
Don't forget to file your self assessment tax return
Insurer issues Christmas scams warning
More entrepreneurs needed 'to unlock opportunities'
£1.31 billion paid in Stamp Duty in November
UK interest rates held at 4.75%
Economic slowdown affecting employment
Spring Forecast to take place in March
HMRC urged to improve low resolution rates
Cash usage on the rise for second successive year
UK economy shrinks for second month in a row
Chancellor must 'confront range of challenges' in Spending Review
HMRC urges self assessment taxpayers to spread the cost
Number of taxpayers caught in 60% 'tax trap' rises
Public funds fraud cost taxpayers £81 billion
No tax changes for online sellers
Interest rates 'set to be higher for longer'
Cyber-attacks cost UK businesses £44 billion in last five years
Small businesses counting the cost of potholes
Optimism amongst business leaders 'approaching Covid lows'

November 2024

Business groups respond to Get Britain Working white paper
CBI calls for action to 'turbocharge growth'
Scams warning issued as self assessment deadline looms
BCC calls for industrial strategy that benefits all parts of UK
Intergenerational transfers 'having profound impact on people's economic prospects'
HMRC late payment interest cut by 0.25%
Retailers write to Chancellor over Autumn Budget measures
Higher energy bills push UK inflation to 2.3%
Pension reforms 'must unlock growth'
Permanent business rate cut for high street on the way
UK growth slowed in third quarter of this year, data shows
Customs procedures 'still holding back UK exports', survey finds
Hybrid working the 'new normal' for a quarter of adults
More than 400,000 student loan customers use digital refund service
Business frustrated at halt in rollout of digital trade platform
Interest rates cut to 4.75%
Almost half of UK adults have not written a will
Government bank referral scheme 'secured loans for just one in 20 companies'
Employer NICs rise may have unforeseen consequences
Chancellor's Budget tax increases 'will boost growth sustainably', says IMF
Budget 'first step of what's needed to lift living standards', says think tank

October 2024

View our 2024 Autumn Budget Report
Chancellor uses Autumn Budget to increase Employment Allowance
Chancellor promises to drive growth and raises £40 billion in taxes
2024 Autumn Budget - the political reaction
2024 Autumn Budget - the business reaction
2024 Autumn Budget - the economic picture
2024 Autumn Budget - what to expect
HMRC services need Budget investment
More than £570 million stolen by criminals in first half of 2024
Real Living Wage goes up by 5%
Self assessment deadline nears for paper filers
Raising CGT rates would not deter investment, says IPRR
Government launches British Infrastructure Taskforce
Government 'planning inheritance tax increases in Budget'
Business groups raise concerns over potential NI rise
HMRC agree to make things easier with paper tax returns
UK inflation falls to lowest rate since 2021
10,000 boost State Pension with online payments
Make Work Pay threatens employment and growth, warns FSB
Chancellor 'will need to increase taxes or borrowing' at Budget, says IFS
Budget will be 'pivotal moment' for new government
Chancellor must tackle barriers to growth in Budget
'Strong case for capital gains tax reform', says IFS
UK Finance urges government to deliver economic growth in Budget submission
Bank of England hints interest rates could fall more quickly
New Growth and Skills Levy must end 'cycle of failure'
Business confidence fell in September, data reveals
New tipping law comes into force

September 2024

Government cracks down on late payments
Government announces apprenticeship reforms
UK economic growth 'robust' in 2024, think tank says
Young people reminded to reclaim government savings
Chancellor hits the right notes in Conference speech
HMRC urged to take action to 'defuse side hustle time bomb'
Interest rates held at 5%
Savers added £42 billion into cash ISAs in first half of 2024, data shows
Inflation rate holds steady in August at 2.2%
Billion-pound tax bombshell to hit hospitality, warns trade body
IPSE calls for fairer off-payroll rules in Budget
IoD outlines key policy changes in Budget submission
Reforms to IHT, CGT and NI 'could raise over £20 billion a year'
UK economy unexpectedly flatlines for second month in row
£5.5 billion lost as a result of tax evasion, report finds
Business group urges government to fix 'antiquated' business rates rules
Scam complaints reach highest ever level, data shows
Pension pot needed for basic retirement rises to nearly £110,000
SME energy bills predicted to remain above pre-crisis levels
Business leader confidence fell in August, data reveals
Scrap fuel duty cut, says RAC

August 2024

HMRC sends 'nudge letters' to crypto investors
HMRC debunks top five self assessment 'myths'
Fall in small business confidence as employment costs take a toll, warns FSB
UK has record number of self-employed workers aged 60 or over
Homebuyers paid £1.2 billion in stamp duty in July, data reveals
2024 could see 'record number' of company creations
Extend Child Benefit for teenagers by the end of August
Fake HMRC letters target small businesses
Freelancers want to see fairer, simpler tax system from Autumn Budget
Working parents face rising childcare costs during summer holidays
UK economy grew between April and June, data shows
Rate of inflation rises for first time this year
£19 billion in unpaid taxes 'unlikely to be recovered'
Government contracts 'out of reach' for SMEs, business group warns
More than 110,000 small firms 'at risk of bankruptcy'
HMRC late payment interest cut by 0.25%
Chancellor refuses to rule out CGT rise
HMRC failing on responsiveness, says Charter report
High streets must be helped to evolve, says FSB
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 5%
Digital trade deal hailed as big win for business

July 2024

HMRC to send Simple Assessment tax statements to pensioners
Chancellor announces Autumn Budget date
320,000 individuals 'pushed into poverty' as result of interest rate rises
Business group outlines five 'key priorities' for removing barriers to trade
A third of individuals using mobile contactless payments, data shows
New skills co-ordination body must 'keep small firms' needs in mind'
Government urged to remove tax burdens for charities
IHT receipts reached £2.1 billion between April and June, data shows
More than 500,000 individuals caught in 60% tax trap
King's Speech unveils raft of bills designed to 'unlock economic growth'
Inflation holds steady at 2%
Business group calls for King's Speech to drive investment
HMRC launches VAT Registration Estimator
UK's economic recovery putting down roots
British Business Bank launches Growth Guarantee Scheme
Business confidence returning to pre-pandemic levels
Self assessment payment on account due on 31 July
Rachel Reeves named as the UK's first female Chancellor
Business ready to work in partnership with Labour government
Business push payment fraud hits £83 million
Household disposable incomes 'have grown at slow pace since 2010'
Next government warned 'you can't be pro-growth without being pro-green'
50% of savers unaware they are charged fees on their pension pots

June 2024

UK economy 'grew by more than previously estimated' at start of 2024
New government 'should change law on hot workplaces'
Average earnings 'just £16 a week higher than they were 14 years ago'
Business group warns tax rises will be 'difficult to avoid' over next five years
Tax gap at record high
Rate decision disappointing for small businesses
UK's investment performance 'worse than every other G7 country'
Inflation at lowest level in almost three years, data shows
HMRC 'has not fined a single 'enabler' of offshore tax evasion', data reveals
HMRC collected £1.39 billion in unpaid inheritance tax in last five years, data shows
Next government 'should extend company car benefit in kind taxation tables'
'Stark economic challenge' facing whoever wins election
Next government needs to prioritise falling employment, says think tank
Tax changes since 2010 have 'adversely affected families with children'
Savers 'dangerously underestimating' minimum cost of retirement
Next government will need to build trust between HMRC and self-employed
Action needed to help firms 'navigate digital future'
Revitalise 'Brand Britain', says CBI
Business leader optimism in UK economy rises to highest level in three years
Last 15 years 'worst for income growth in generations', says IFS

Latest news

30 Jun 2025

High earners facing rise in tax investigations by HMRC

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that high earners in the UK are facing a significant rise in tax investigations by HMRC as a result of a record-breaking amount raised by compliance revenue.

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