HLAS

New guidance on using an agent to manage your business rates has been published by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Many business owners choose to made their own business rates, but others prefer the convenience of appointing an agent to help them. The VOA are keen to make sure that business owners exercise care in choosing an agent. They say that while the majority of business rates agents are reputable and provide a good service, there are a small minority that act in bad faith. The VOA’s new guidance encourages the following: Do your research Beware of big promises Understand [...]

Starbucks is telling its corporate staff to return to the office four days a week – or take a one-off payment and leave. From October, employees in the US and Canada must be in between Monday and Thursday, up from three days. The company’s CEO, Brian Niccol, says the change is part of a broader turnaround plan to revive sales and performance. In-person working, he argues, is essential to rebuild collaboration and company culture. This move follows similar decisions from firms like Amazon and JP Morgan. Research shows about one-third of remote-capable workers in the US are now back in [...]

The UK Government has announced reforms to the Internal Market Act, aimed at simplifying cross-border trade between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These changes are designed to reduce friction and give businesses greater confidence when trading across the UK. Following feedback from businesses, the reforms seek to clarify the rules that apply across the four nations, while still respecting the ability of devolved administrations to set policies in line with local priorities. What’s Changing? More consistent rules UK-wide – Businesses can expect clearer, more aligned regulations across borders, helping to avoid confusion or unexpected costs. Fewer internal trade barriers [...]

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is urging businesses to prepare for the fact that Windows 10 will no longer be supported from 14 October 2025. If your business still uses Windows 10 on its computers, it’s time to start planning your next steps. Why does this matter? Once Windows 10 support ends, it won’t receive any more security updates. That means if hackers discover a weakness, they can use it to break into your systems - and there won’t be a fix. This is exactly what happened in the past with older versions of Windows, leading to major [...]

The Tax Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is encouraging employers to take a fresh look at the Employment Allowance. If you have a payroll and are not already claiming this allowance, it could reduce your employer national insurance contributions (NICs) by up to £10,500 for the 2025/26 tax year. It’s a simple, practical incentive that’s already widely used – over 1.2 million employers claimed it in 2024/25 – but some businesses are still missing out, especially newer or smaller employers unfamiliar with the scheme. What is the Employment Allowance? The allowance reduces an [...]

Business owners across the UK are navigating an increasingly complicated economic landscape. Inflation has edged up once more, and recent data reveals that the economy has contracted for two consecutive months. So, what’s really happening — and what steps should you be considering as a business owner? Inflation Ticks Up Again According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, inflation increased to 3.6% in the year to June, up from 3.4% in May. This marks the sharpest monthly rise since January 2024, largely driven by higher prices for motor fuel and food. Notably, food price inflation has [...]

If you’ve ever found yourself at the end of a busy month wondering where all your profits have disappeared to, rest assured – you’re not the only one. For many small business owners, cash seems to vanish faster than it arrives. While generating sales is vital, it’s your cash flow – the money moving in and out – that truly keeps your business functioning. Asking “Where did the money go?” could be the first step towards gaining back control. Where to Begin Good cash management starts with clarity. Without clear visibility of your financial activity, it becomes much harder to: [...]

With the UK increasingly experiencing more frequent temperature extremes – both hot and cold – now is a good time to revisit what the law says about workplace conditions and how you can help ensure your team remains safe and comfortable. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers practical guidance to help businesses stay compliant and prepared. Is There a Maximum Temperature for Workplaces? You might be surprised to learn that there is no legally defined maximum temperature for workplaces. This is because some environments – such as foundries or bakeries – are expected to operate at higher temperatures due [...]

The Employment Rights Bill is currently progressing through Parliament, with several significant amendments recently announced. Employers should take note of these proposed changes, which relate to the handling of harassment issues and pregnancy loss in the workplace. 1. New Limits on Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) One key proposal within the Bill is the restriction of NDAs used to prevent employees from speaking out about harassment, including sexual harassment and workplace discrimination. Such clauses – often included in settlement agreements – will no longer be legally enforceable if their intention is to stop individuals from discussing their experiences of harassment or discrimination. [...]

The Government's new Pension Schemes Bill, currently before Parliament, introduces wide-reaching reforms aimed at improving outcomes for pension savers. These changes will not only affect how pensions are administered but also impact scheme selection, cost management, and employee engagement over the long term. Figures released last week suggest that the average worker on an average salary saving into a pension pot over their working life could benefit by up to £29,000 when they retire. Here are two of the measures that could particularly affect small employers. Automatic Consolidation of Small Pension Pots Small pension pots under £1,000, often created when [...]