HLAS

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has officially recognised the United Kingdom as having a negligible risk status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)—the highest classification possible. This milestone represents a significant achievement for the UK’s farming and food industries, following years of stringent animal health and biosecurity practices. Since the BSE crisis of the 1980s, British beef exports have faced prolonged international restrictions, but this latest recognition reflects decades of progress and vigilance. What Does the Status Change Mean? • Expanded export potential: More international markets are expected to open their doors to UK beef and bovine-derived products.• Operational [...]

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has announced that incoming border checks on fruit and veg imported from the European Union will be scrapped. The recent UK-EU trade deal included a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement that will eliminate routine SPS border checks for food exports and imports between the UK and EU. The agreement has not yet come into effect, however in an early move, the government have decided not to require checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have come into force this summer. Medium-risk fruit and vegetables include tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, [...]

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released a new set of principles aimed at helping organisations foster a stronger cyber security culture. These principles, developed through extensive research, outline behaviours and attitudes that can enhance protection against cyber threats. Cyber security is the practice of safeguarding computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorised access. It plays a vital role in protecting personal information, business operations, and online services from cyber attacks. Although the guidance references cyber security teams and may initially appear more relevant to larger organisations, the increasing reliance on digital technology across all sectors [...]

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has scaled back its outlook for UK economic growth in 2025, cutting its forecast from 1.4% to 1.3%. The revision reflects concerns over rising government debt interest payments and increased trade barriers—particularly with the United States. In its assessment, the OECD highlighted that the UK’s public finances allow little room for unexpected challenges. The organisation recommended that Chancellor Rachel Reeves consider a combination of targeted spending reductions and strategic tax reforms to help stabilise the economy. Although early 2025 growth figures have outperformed expectations, the OECD noted a decline in business confidence [...]

The government has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at cutting emissions across the UK hospitality sector. The Zero Carbon Services Hospitality Trial is scheduled to run from May 2025 to March 2026, with £350,000 in funding allocated to support the scheme. The initiative will connect hospitality businesses—such as pubs, cafés, restaurants, and hotels—with experienced energy and sustainability advisers. Is It Worth Exploring? With estimates suggesting that the average pub loses £2,000 each year due to energy inefficiencies, improving energy use could bring significant savings. Enhancing energy performance may lead not only to reduced emissions but also to [...]

In a recent enforcement initiative, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has identified 518 employers who failed to correctly pay their staff the National Minimum or National Living Wage. These employers are now required to repay a combined total of £7.4 million to nearly 60,000 affected workers. In addition to repaying underpaid wages, they also face financial penalties of up to 200% of the shortfall. While HMRC acknowledges that not all breaches are deliberate, the department has made it clear that non-compliance—whether intentional or not—will result in action being taken. To support workers, the government has made tools available for individuals [...]

The table below sets out the HMRC advisory fuel rates from 1 June 2025. These are the suggested reimbursement rates for employees' private mileage using their company car. Where the employer does not pay for any fuel for the company car these are the amounts that can be reimbursed in respect of business journeys without the amount being taxable on the employee. The previous rate is shown in brackets. You can continue to use the previous rates for up to 1 month from the date the new rates apply. Note that for hybrid cars you must use the petrol or [...]

HMRC have published Tax Avoidance Spotlight 70 ‘VAT grouping structure arrangements used by care providers’, highlighting tax avoidance arrangements used by state-regulated care providers to reclaim VAT. The VAT legislation exempts supplies of welfare services where they are made by either a charity or a state-regulated care provider. The impact for the charity or state-regulated care provider is that they are unable to recover any VAT which relates to these supplies. The arrangement identified in Spotlight 70 is intended to work as follows: An unregulated entity forms a VAT group with the state-regulated care provider, or charity. Existing contracts for welfare services between [...]

The deadline for reporting shares and securities and share options issued to employees for 2024/25 is 6 July 2025. This is the same as the deadline for reporting expenses and benefits provided to employees on form P11D for 2024/25. Employers must submit their employment-related securities annual returns online and attach the appropriate spreadsheet template if they have something to report. HMRC provide templates on their website that may be downloaded in order that the information may be entered and uploaded. Note that there are different templates for each of the four tax-advantaged employee share schemes – Company Share Option Plan [...]

P11D forms for reporting expenses and benefits in kind provided to employees and directors in 2024/25 need to be submitted by 6 July 2025. Note that paper forms are no longer acceptable; the return must be made online using PAYE Online for employers or commercial software. Remember that reimbursed expenses no longer need to be reported where they are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employee's duties. Dispensations from reporting are no longer required, although HMRC would expect internal controls to be in place to ensure that the expenses qualify. Note also that trivial benefits provided [...]