HLAS

New legislation for England and Northern Ireland has come into force that will allow for a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland. Scotland is also progressing similar regulations. A deposit return scheme, which more than 50 countries worldwide are now using, gives people a financial incentive for returning empty bottles and cans to a collection point, such as at a supermarket. According to government supplied statistics, the average return rate in Europe is 90% with Germany leading the way at 98%. The legislation will allow for the appointment of the Deposit Management Organisation, the scheme [...]

The Prime Minister and Chancellor met with business leaders last week to unveil proposals aimed at increasing flexibility for occupational defined benefit pension schemes. Under the new plans, restrictions will be lifted on well-funded occupational defined benefit pension schemes, allowing those in surplus to invest more freely. The aim is to stimulate economic growth by enabling businesses to utilise these funds more effectively. Currently, around 75% of such pension schemes are in surplus, amounting to £160 billion. However, existing restrictions have made it challenging for businesses to invest these funds, even when both trustees and sponsors are in favour. What [...]

As part of the government’s strategy to boost economic growth, the Trade Secretary has appointed a new ‘Global Growth Team’ of UK Trade Envoys to drive exports and attract investment. A total of 32 MPs have been assigned specific target markets worldwide, with a mission to identify trade and investment opportunities for UK businesses while promoting the UK as a prime destination for international investors. The selected markets have been chosen based on their significant potential for expanding UK trade. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business and Trade Secretary, stated that the new Trade Envoys “will use their experience, expertise and knowledge [...]

28 January 2025 was Data Protection Day and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) used it to highlight the opportunities and challenges related to AI and data protection. AI adoption is integral to the government's growth plans, however the ICO are keen to make sure that the opportunities AI brings are taken up in a way that keeps people safe. The ICO have highlighted some misconceptions about AI, and this contains some good pointers for businesses and organisations considering using AI. Control over personal data There is no change to the rights that people have over their personal data. Each person [...]

The new Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, has confirmed that there are no plans to introduce regulations requiring businesses—whether large or small—to accept cash payments. Concerns have been raised about the growing number of shops and service providers refusing cash, which can exclude those who rely on cash for everyday transactions. While some countries are considering laws to ensure essential services accept cash, the UK does not appear to be following this trend. Card payments have been widely used in the UK for years, and mobile payments via smartphones are becoming increasingly popular. 72% of 16-24 year olds [...]

A recent investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) independent inquiry group has revealed that competition in the UK cloud services market is not functioning as effectively as it could. Cloud services form the backbone of modern business operations, supporting industries ranging from financial services and retail to digital start-ups and public services. In 2023, UK businesses and organisations spent £9 billion on cloud services, with this figure growing over 30% annually. However, the inquiry group identified several concerns: Limited provider options: The market is dominated by two providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft. These together account for [...]

The annual self-assessment tax return deadline has now passed, and for many business owners, it may have been a frantic rush to gather documents, double-check figures, and ensure everything was submitted and paid on time. If that sounds familiar, you weren’t alone! HM Revenue and Customs reported that 3.4 million taxpayers—almost a third—had yet to submit their tax return in the final week before the deadline. The stress of last-minute filing may have left you determined to be better prepared next time. The good news is that with proactive planning, next year’s tax return can be a far smoother process. [...]

Severe weather can be an enormous challenge for businesses, and we have seen plenty of it recently. Power outages, property damage, and forced downtime are not just disruptions—they can feel like setbacks that threaten months or years of hard work. If your business has been affected by recent storms, you are not alone, and it’s important to remember that resilience is built in moments like these. While you may already be taking steps to recover and regroup, this article is here to offer encouragement, practical ideas, and a reminder of your strength as you navigate this difficult time. Acknowledge what [...]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered a speech last week outlining the government’s latest plans for driving economic growth. The strategy largely focuses on development projects around Oxford and Cambridge, as well as progressing plans for a third runway at Heathrow. Below are some of the key highlights from the speech. Oxford and Cambridge Growth Corridor The Chancellor emphasised the potential for economic growth in the area between Oxford and Cambridge, suggesting it could become Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley. However, slow transport links and a shortage of affordable housing have been identified as barriers to realising this [...]

In 2024, we saw numerous legal cases scrutinising the VAT rating of food and drink, and it looks like this trend is set to continue into 2025! The VAT treatment of food and drink has long been a contentious issue, but in the case of Global By Nature Ltd v HMRC (TC09396), we see the first instance of a tribunal or court examining VAT law specifically in relation to ‘sports drinks’. Under VAT legislation, food and drink (excluding catering) can generally be zero-rated, but there is an extensive list of exceptions that are subject to VAT at 20%. One such [...]