HLAS

HMRC has estimated that around a million people failed to meet the 31 January 2026 Self Assessment tax return filing deadline. It reported that 11.48 million taxpayers submitted their returns on time, with the majority filing online. As expected, there was a surge in submissions on the deadline day itself, with nearly half a million returns filed on 31 January. This included more than 27,000 submissions made in the final hour before midnight. The busiest period was between 5 pm and 6 pm, when almost 33,000 tax returns were filed. Despite this last-minute rush, HMRC believes that around a million [...]

With costs continuing to rise, many employers and employees are searching for sensible ways to reduce outgoings without scaling back benefits. Salary sacrifice can be a highly effective solution, yet it is still overlooked by many businesses. Put simply, salary sacrifice allows an employee to exchange part of their gross salary for a non-cash benefit, such as a pension contribution, an electric car or a bicycle. As this arrangement is made before tax and National Insurance (NI) are applied, it can result in savings for both employers and employees, while also enhancing the overall benefits package. Following the Autumn Budget [...]

Businesses that pay business rates are being advised to review their current property valuation and ensure that the information held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is accurate. If you think your valuation is incorrect, you have until 31 March 2026 to request any amendments to your current valuation. After this date, a new rating list will come into effect on 1 April 2026, and requests to change your new 2026 valuation can only be submitted from that point onwards. To submit a request, you must have a business rates valuation account. If you have not accessed your account recently, [...]

Drivers are now able to compare fuel prices at every petrol station across the UK, following the launch of a new government scheme aimed at improving transparency and encouraging stronger competition between forecourts. From last week, all garages and fuel stations are required to report their petrol and diesel prices to a central government database within 30 minutes of any change. This information is then made available to third-party apps and websites used by motorists. As a result, apps such as PetrolPrices, Waze, MyRAC and the AA app, along with certain in-car navigation systems and online mapping services, can now [...]

Lanarkshire is set for a major investment boost with the launch of a new AI Growth Zone around DataVita’s data centre site in Airdrie. Working with AI cloud firm CoreWeave, the project is expected to create more than 3,400 jobs over the coming years, including around 800 higher‑skilled roles linked directly to AI and data centre operations. Fifty apprenticeships will also be offered to help develop the next generation of AI expertise. Alongside the jobs, the project includes a substantial community fund. As the site expands, up to £543 million could be invested into local programmes over 15 years, supporting [...]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a series of proposed measures designed to improve fairness, transparency and choice for businesses and consumers using Google’s search services in the UK. Google accounts for more than 90% of general search queries in the UK and attracted over £10 billion in UK search advertising spend last year. As a result, any changes to how its search services operate could have a significant impact on the way businesses promote themselves online. In October 2025, Google was designated with Strategic Market Status (SMS). While this designation does not imply wrongdoing, it does give [...]

The government has convened leading technology firms, including Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon, alongside disability charities to explore how modern technology can help break down barriers that prevent disabled people from securing and remaining in employment. Discussions centred on practical tools that are already available and how their adoption could be widened. These include screen readers, real-time captioning and AI-powered visual description tools. The roundtable forms part of wider government initiatives, including the Connect to Work programme, which aims to support 300,000 sick or disabled people into work. There are also plans to reform the Disability Confident scheme by introducing [...]

The government has announced a major package of leasehold reforms in England and Wales. Key measures include a cap on ground rent at £250, a ban on new leasehold flats, and a shift towards commonhold ownership. For those who own a leasehold property, these proposals could have a significant impact over the coming years. Proposed ground rent cap The headline reform is a cap on ground rent for existing leases. According to the plans, ground rent will be limited to £250 per year, before reducing to a peppercorn after 40 years. The cap is designed to address long-standing concerns about [...]

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has announced a series of visits across the UK in 2026 to gather first‑hand evidence on how the National Minimum Wage is affecting employers and workers. These local meetings will help shape its recommendations to the government later in the year. Where the LPC will be visiting Bradford - 18/19 March 2026. Aberdeen - 15/16 April 2026. Blackpool - 13/14 May 2026. Peterborough - 10/11 June 2026. Wrexham - 01/02 July 2026. Derry - 29/30 July 2026. The LPC will be looking to hear about: The economy and labour market in the area. The outlook [...]

The latest Business Confidence Monitor, an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales survey, shows confidence continuing to fall. Confidence has now fallen for six consecutive quarters and is now at its lowest since the final three months of 2022. The survey, which gathered views from 1,000 business leaders, shows growing concern over tax complexity and the wider outlook for business activity. Tax pressures rising A record 64% of businesses said the tax burden was becoming a greater challenge, up from 60% in the previous quarter. According to the report, this reflected uncertainty over what tax changes might be [...]