HLAS

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a package of proposed commitments from Apple Inc. and Google LLC that could make it easier for UK businesses relying on app stores to connect with their customers. The CMA is inviting feedback on these commitments until 3 March 2026, with the intention that they will come into force from 1 April 2026. What’s Happening? The CMA has been engaging with Apple and Google since both companies were designated with “strategic market status” (SMS) in late 2025. Almost all mobile devices in the UK operate on either Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android [...]

HM Revenue & Customs has begun introducing GOV.UK One Login for taxpayers registering for its digital services for the first time. This means that if you do not already have a Government Gateway account, you will now sign up using an email-and-password login, rather than needing to obtain a 10–12 digit Government Gateway ID. At present, this change only affects new HMRC users. Existing Government Gateway account holders are not required to switch at this stage. Even if you already use a GOV.UK One Login for another government service, you will still need to access HMRC’s online services through your [...]

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a new weekly podcast series, ‘DBS discussions: Safeguarding in Focus,’ aimed at employers, HR teams and anyone working in safeguarding. Each episode of the podcast features a DBS specialist explaining how key DBS processes work in practice. Topics will include: How DBS checks fit into recruitment. Common questions from employers. Clarity on eligibility and regulated activity. How barring decisions are made. The role DBS plays in wider safeguarding. The first episode was released on 9 February 2026, and introduced the function of DBS and the impact of checks in recruitment. New episodes [...]

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 [...]