Are your finances at risk of cyber-attack? Planning for the worst
According to the latest Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, almost two in five small businesses in the UK suffered a successful cyber-attack in the last year, with each attack costing an average of £26,650. Globally, cyber incidents cause around 32 hours of operational disruption a year on average. Cyber-attacks are no Read more…
Borrowing amongst SMEs is on the rise – preparing your business for finance
According to UK Finance, gross lending to SMEs from the main high street banks reached £5.35 billion in the second quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly level recorded since the pandemic. Real estate and professional service firms drove much of this growth, while manufacturers and hospitality businesses borrowed less. How Read more…
Medium-sized companies may qualify for audit exemption
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) initiated a ‘modernising corporate reporting’ consultation on 7 September 2026, which closes on 30 November 2026. Under the proposed overhauls, many medium-sized companies may be exempt from mandatory audits. This consultation forms part of a wider Government pledge to cut administrative Read more…
How is the mansion tax distorting the housing market?
The so-called mansion tax is already beginning to have an impact on the UK housing market, despite the surcharge not being due to come into effect until April 2028. Under the new tax, formally known as the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, homes in England worth £2 million or more, Read more…
Demystifying the changes to Benefits in Kind from 2027
Reforms to the Benefits in Kind (BIK) system have continued to change in recent years, as the Government prepares to roll out mandatory payrolling. From April 2027, businesses will be required to payroll BIK, but this will now be a phased approach, with the full reforms in place from April Read more…
IHT pension reforms now only half a year away
We are now just over six months away from the long-anticipated reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), which will see unspent pensions included within a person’s estate from April 2027. First announced all the way back in the 2024 Autumn Budget, the move is expected to result in 10,500 more estates Read more…
Sequencing short-term finance effectively is vital for avoiding the interest trap
For many businesses, short-term finance can provide an essential lifeline when cash flow becomes tight. Whether a business needs support covering a gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments, or managing seasonal demand, the right type of finance can keep a business moving during uncertain times. However, using short-term Read more…
Inflation increases to a four-month high – How will businesses be impacted?
The rate of inflation has hit 2.9 per cent in July 2026, up from 2.6 per cent in June, according to the latest data that has been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the first rise in the national rate of inflation since March 2026, with Read more…
Gifting out of income – The overlooked way to reduce Inheritance Tax
For many people, giving financial support to family members is an important part of their financial planning. Whether it is helping children with pension contributions or providing ongoing assistance, gifting can play an important role in Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. The normal expenditure out of income exemption under Section 21 Read more…
