UK economy shrank in May Harsh personal guarantees will chill growth ambitions, warns FSB HMRC to fine crypto investors £300 for non-disclosure IHT on pensions most unpopular of Labour's tax increases HMRC criminal tax offence plan risks going too far, warns CIOT Pension reforms risk higher prices, fewer jobs and slower growth, FSB warns Business confidence rises in June More than 25% of UK businesses hit by cyber-attack in past year Individuals paying into Lifetime ISA 'could get less out than put in' 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 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 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 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 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 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 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' 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 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 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 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