HLAS

Threat to industrial digital systems ramps up Disruptive cyber attacks are going beyond computers and into manufacturing and processing systems, Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been warned. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has seen a concerted and increased number of attacks on what’s known as Operational Technology (OT) in numerous sectors both globally and domestically. These attacks have had real-world effects. Hackers cut off a small gas-fired 'peaker' power station earlier this year. These UK plants have small local capacities, are remote with no employees and use OT to balance local baseload and feed into the national grid. [...]

Renamed Growth and Skills Levy The Apprenticeship Levy has undergone its biggest overhaul since its introduction, with major changes taking effect from 1 August 2026. For Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the most significant development is the expansion of what levy funds can be used for under the new Growth and Skills Levy. This expansion comes alongside tighter funding rules, making planning more important than ever. The two headline changes are the removal of the government top-up and that levy-paying employers can now use their funds for a broader range of approved training, not just traditional apprenticeships. Alongside full apprenticeships, [...]

Introduction of smart-contingent contracts The UK government has unveiled its comprehensive response to the consultation on the post-2025 rollout of smart meters for non-domestic sites. The initiative targets approximately three million smaller businesses and public sector locations across Great Britain, aiming to accelerate the adoption of smart meters as a cornerstone of the Clean Power 2030 Mission. Smart meters are seen as vital for enabling a flexible, efficient power system, offering organisations real-time insights into their energy consumption. This helps businesses manage costs, identify savings and make informed decisions about tariffs and operational efficiency. A key feature of the new [...]

Rates have increased HMRC have reminded businesses that the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (MAPs) have been updated for the 2026-27 tax year. Rates have: Increased to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 miles. Remained at 25p per mile after 10,000 miles. These changes are backdated to 6 April 2026. If you reimburse your employees at or below the approved MAP rate, you may want to increase the amount you reimburse your employees for business mileage, in line with the new approved MAP rates. Reimbursement? If you paid your employees mileage payments or RME above the old rates, Income Tax and/or Class 1 [...]

Actions to take now The tax rules on Benefits In Kind (BIKs) are changing. From 6 April 2027 to 5 April 2028, Phase 1 of HMRC’s ‘Mandatory payrolling of Benefits In Kind and expenses’ comes into force. Phase 1 will apply only to company cars, car fuel, vans, van fuel and medical benefits. Mandatory payrolling for most other benefits will be introduced from April 2028. Employers will need to begin preparing for the changes, which will include ensuring that payroll software and processes are correctly set up. However, to avoid employees being surprised, employers should also consider communicating the changes to [...]

What you need to know Sole traders and landlords earning more than £50,000 have been required to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC via Making Tax Digital (MTD) since April 2026. For those who haven't, HMRC is preparing to step in and sign you up. HMRC will automatically sign up taxpayers who are required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 2026-27 but have yet to register, and they have published guidance setting out the steps affected individuals should take if they are affected. What happens when HMRC automatically signs up a taxpayer? Once HMRC have [...]

The table below sets out the HMRC advisory fuel rates from 1 September 2026. 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. Engine Size Petrol Diesel LPG 1400cc or less 14p (14p) 11p (11p) 1600cc or less 15p (15p) 1401cc to 2000cc 17p (17p) 13p (13p) 1601cc to 2000cc 16p (17p) Over 2000cc 27p (26p) 22p (23p) 20p (21p) Previous [...]

HMRC has begun writing to landlords where the information it holds from third parties does not appear to match the taxpayer's records. The letters encourage recipients to review whether all rental income has been declared and remind them of their obligations under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.  HMRC receives information from a variety of sources, including tenancy deposit schemes and other statutory reporting systems. This data is increasingly being used to identify landlords whose tax returns may not accurately reflect their property income. If you receive one of these letters, it is important not to ignore it. HMRC [...]

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax became mandatory from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with combined gross income from self-employment and property exceeding £50,000, based on their 2024/25 tax return. Qualifying income is measured before expenses are deducted.  The scope of MTD will widen in future years: From April 2027, it will apply to those with qualifying income above £30,000. From April 2028, it will apply to those with qualifying income above £20,000.  Under MTD, affected taxpayers must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software, together with an end-of-year submission.  HMRC [...]

Mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind (BiKs) will begin from 6 April 2027, with a phased introduction designed to give employers and payroll providers time to adapt.  Under the first phase, covering the 2027/28 tax year, mandatory payrolling will apply to: Company cars Company car fuel Vans Van fuel Private medical benefits These benefits will need to be reported through payroll in real time rather than being reported after the end of the tax year on form P11D.  Mandatory payrolling will then be extended to most other benefits and expenses from April 2028. HMRC has confirmed that employers will be [...]