HLAS

A new Charity Sector Risk Assessment, recently published by the Charity Commission, highlights some of the serious challenges facing charities in England and Wales. The report draws on data from annual returns, serious incident reports, and casework, and notes a number of pressures that are making it increasingly difficult for many organisations to operate effectively. What the Risk Assessment Found Key issues identified in the report include: Rising operating deficits: In the 2023 Annual Return, 22.5% of charities reported a deficit (spending more than they receive), up from 20% in 2022. Increasing demand versus rising costs: Many charities are experiencing [...]

Cyber incidents, data breaches and operational disruptions don’t just affect systems—they affect people. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance titled “Putting staff welfare at the heart of incident response” to help organisations consider how a cyber incident may impact employees. While the guidance has been available for some time, the rising frequency of cyberattacks makes it increasingly relevant. When an incident occurs—whether a cyberattack, system failure or security breach—employees may experience stress, uncertainty, fatigue, guilt or anxiety. The NCSC emphasises that if staff welfare is overlooked, it can weaken the overall resilience of the response. A team [...]

The Insolvency Service has reported on an investigation it made into a company that was serving as a front to enable unlicensed insolvency activities previously carried out by another firm. The investigation resulted in the Insolvency Service winding up the company in the public interest. The case serves as a reminder that only properly licensed insolvency practitioners can act as a liquidator or administrator for a company. However, if you’ve reached the point where your company has run its course and you want to close it down, does that mean your only option is to formally wind it up using [...]

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Without it, even profitable companies can encounter difficulties. Yet many business owners, and even some finance teams, only review cash flow on a monthly or quarterly basis. This can be risky. A weekly cash flow check is a straightforward but powerful habit. It keeps you informed, proactive, and in control. By making this a regular routine, you can maintain your business’s financial health, spot potential issues early, and gain confidence in every decision you make. Why Weekly Checks Matter Regular cash flow reviews can help you to: Avoid surprises: Examining your inflows [...]

For many small and medium-sized business owners, bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns are part of the usual routine. They’re vital for keeping things compliant and organised, but they only show what has already happened. To truly shape the future of your business, it helps to think more strategically — like a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). That means using your financial data not just to record the past, but to plan ahead, forecast outcomes, and make smarter business decisions. Bookkeepers Record the Past — CFO Thinking Looks Ahead A bookkeeper’s role is to ensure every figure is correct and every transaction [...]

Creative businesses and freelancers outside London could benefit from increased support following a government announcement aimed at accelerating growth across the sector. Six regions with established strengths in film, TV, music, fashion, and video games will each receive £25 million to expand their creative industries. The funding forms part of the new Creative Places Growth Fund, first introduced in June’s Creative Industries Sector Plan. £25 million each for six regionsThe funding will be divided equally among:• Greater Manchester• Liverpool City Region• North East• West of England• West Midlands• West Yorkshire Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that the allocations will be [...]

The government has revealed plans to introduce a new digital ID scheme, which is set to become the standard method for completing Right to Work checks by the end of the current Parliament. The digital ID will be accessible to all UK citizens and legal residents and will be securely stored on mobile devices, similar to the NHS App or contactless payment methods. The new system is expected to simplify compliance for employers conducting Right to Work checks. Further guidance will be provided as the roll-out progresses, including a consultation later this year to help determine how the service will [...]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its latest monitoring report on fuel prices, highlighting increases in both pump prices and retailer margins. Between May and August 2025, the average price of petrol rose to 133.9 pence per litre (ppl) and diesel climbed to 141.9ppl. That’s up by 1.9ppl and 3.5ppl respectively. While global oil markets explain part of the increase, the CMA is more concerned about retailers holding onto higher profits at the pump. Margins far above historic levels The CMA found that: Supermarket fuel margins (the difference between selling price and what the supermarket pays for fuel) [...]

New figures show that more than 750,000 young people haven’t claimed their matured Child Trust Funds – savings pots worth an average of £2,242 each. If your children, employees, or even apprentices are aged between 18 and 23, there’s a good chance some of them could be sitting on money they don’t know about. What is a Child Trust Fund? Child Trust Funds (CTFs) were set up by the government for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. Each account started with a government deposit of at least £250, and many families topped them up over the [...]

The Autumn Budget will be delivered on 26 November, but the Chancellor’s recent speech in Liverpool has offered some early clues about what might be announced. Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to prepare the ground when she stated: “We will face further tests, with choices to come, made all the harder by harsh global headwinds and long-term damage to the economy, which is becoming ever clearer.” Her comments highlight two main challenges:• Global headwinds – including trade tensions, ongoing conflicts, and higher interest rates that continue to drive up costs.• The UK’s long-standing productivity problem – with the Office for Budget [...]