Finance News

A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’.

You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business.

The government has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer.

Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are asking businesses to take special care of misleading requests for payment sent by fraudulent organisations.

Following its mention in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill has now been put before Parliament.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment rate in the three months to March 2026 has risen to 5% from 4.9%.

Originally proposed in last autumn’s Budget, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have introduced a targeted advance assurance service for Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims. The service, which is a pilot, aims to provide businesses with clarity on complex or high-risk areas before they make a claim.

A major police offensive was announced last week that will tackle dodgy shops linked to organised crime. Rogue high street businesses will face raids, closures and cash seizures.

Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment.

Most businesses don’t need big ideas or complicated plans to improve profit. In practice, profits will usually increase by tightening up a few everyday things and being more deliberate about how time and effort are applied.

The government has announced it has signed a new partnership with Wayve, a British company that is developing self-driving vehicle technologies.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has raised concerns over its effect on UK inflation and interest rates in the coming months.

Running a business in recent times has been a lesson in resilience. Costs continue to increase and customers are cautious. Cash is proving tight for many businesses and credit control is a core discipline for keeping a business afloat in such times.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have reported that 161 pubs closed across the country in the first three months of 2026. It is estimated that this has led to the loss of 2,400 jobs. Scotland has been the most heavily affected, with 41 closures between January and March.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published final guidance on the new ‘charitable purposes soft opt-in’ provision introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) announced at CYBERUK 2026 in Glasgow that it will begin recommending the use of passkeys wherever a service supports them, and two-step verification (2SV) where it does not.

The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026 and represents the biggest change to renting in England for a generation. All landlords must be ready, as the new rules apply to both new and existing tenancies from day one.

The government has opened a consultation on a new consultation process that employers will need to follow when handling flexible working requests.

Your business can be doing well financially but you can still feel uncertain about where your personal finances are heading.

Recent changes to the way co-working spaces are assessed for business rates are causing considerable concern in the business community. Some estimate that the changes amount to a £600 million stealth tax raid.