Finance News

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has confirmed that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) deposit protection limit will increase from £85,000 to £120,000 from the start of December.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has confirmed plans to raise its fees by an average of 25% from 1 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. The change will affect applications and renewals for patents, trademarks, and designs.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are writing to some taxpayers to tell them what they need to do to get ready for the new Making Tax Digital rules that come into force next April.

The UK unemployment rate has risen to 5% in the three months to September, the highest since early 2021, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The increase was slightly higher than expected and adds to signs that the jobs market is starting to soften.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a national campaign to offer UK businesses access to no-fee specialist recruitment support through Jobcentre Plus. The service is available to all businesses, regardless of size or sector.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification with Companies House will start to be required for company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). The measure is intended to improve the reliability of information on the UK’s company register and support efforts to reduce economic crime.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gave a surprise ‘pre-Budget’ speech last week that appeared to pave the way for tax rises in the Budget on 26 November 2025.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been reminding taxpayers that there are now fewer than 100 days left to file their tax return and pay any tax due for the 2024-25 tax year.

As part of its move to reduce ‘red tape’ and aid business growth, the government has announced plans to remove the requirement for companies to include a directors’ report as part of their annual accounts.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a consultation on how charities can make use of new rules that will allow greater use of electronic marketing in contacting their supporters.

The government has announced a major shake-up in how UK regulators operate, aiming to make them more accountable and more focused on supporting business growth.

Conversations about Generation Z (those born roughly after 1996) and the workplace tend to generate headlines – perhaps even blaming younger workers for disrupting the traditional norms of office culture.

Official figures show that UK government borrowing reached £20.2 billion in September – the highest for the month in five years. The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), underline the financial pressures facing the Chancellor as preparations continue for next month’s Budget.

Small businesses across the UK are being urged to take simple, practical steps to protect themselves from growing online threats – and a new free toolkit from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) aims to make that much easier.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published proposals to overhaul how the veterinary market works. While this review focuses on vet businesses, its findings provide some useful insights for businesses of all types – particularly around transparency, communication, and customer confidence.

Running your own business often means juggling a lot – and for many, that includes childcare. With autumn school breaks rapidly approaching, HMRC is reminding working families that the Tax-Free Childcare scheme can be a good way to make some savings.

Cyber incidents, data breaches and operational disruptions don’t just affect systems – they affect people.

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Without it, even profitable businesses can run into trouble. Yet many business owners, and even some finance teams, treat cash flow as a monthly or quarterly review item. That’s a mistake.

For many small and medium-sized business owners, bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns are seen as a necessary part of their routine. These tasks are essential, but in terms of shaping your business, they can only tell you what has already happened.

The Autumn Budget will be delivered on 26 November, but the Chancellor’s recent speech in Liverpool gave us some useful hints about what could be on the table.