HLAS

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 [...]

The Department for Education has announced a National Year of Reading, launching in January 2026, in a bid to reverse the steady decline in reading for pleasure among young people. According to a survey carried out by the National Literacy Trust, just 1 in 3 of children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025. Less than 1 in 5 said they used their free time to read daily. This is the lowest these statistics have been in 20 years. The National Year of Reading campaign aims to reignite a reading [...]

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a public call for views that could influence the future of online advertising in the UK. The proposals aim to strike a balance between preserving user privacy and enabling businesses to maintain revenue streams. This consultation relates specifically to how the ICO enforces Regulation 6 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). This regulation currently requires websites to obtain user consent before storing or accessing data used for online advertising technologies. A Risk-Based Alternative Approach The ICO is inviting input on a potential shift towards a risk-based enforcement model, which could allow [...]

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published revised guidance for trade mark applicants in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling in SkyKick UK Ltd and another v Sky Ltd and others. The judgment, which centred on the issue of bad faith in trade mark registrations, has led to immediate changes in how applications will be assessed. The IPO’s updated Practice Amendment Notice (PAN 1/25) offers clarification on trade mark specifications and sets out when applicants might come under scrutiny for submitting overly broad claims. What Applicants Need to Know IPO examiners will now consider whether the wording [...]

The government has launched a full review of the UK’s parental leave and pay system, aiming to make it fairer, simpler and better suited to the needs of modern families. This is part of the government’s wider ‘Plan to Make Work Pay, and it could lead to significant reforms in how maternity, paternity and shared parental leave work – with the potential to affect businesses and employers across the country. Why now? The review comes in response to growing concern that the current system is complicated and unaffordable for many families – especially new fathers and partners. Currently, one in [...]

Farm businesses are set to face greater scrutiny from the Environment Agency (EA) following an announcement that the number of annual inspections will increase by around 50% over the next four years. The move is part of a wider government strategy to improve environmental performance in agriculture and reduce pollution from farming activities. Under the new plan, the number of farm inspections is expected to reach 6,000 per year by 2029. A Stronger Regulatory Framework The EA’s inspection programme focuses on enforcing environmental laws, including those around issues such as fertiliser use, slurry storage, soil health, and runoff into watercourses. [...]