HLAS

The Government has published the official remit for the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to begin its work on setting the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates that will apply from April 2026. While the final figures won’t be confirmed until later in 2025, the direction of travel is already clear. Employers should be prepared for further increases in wage costs in April 2026. National Living Wage likely to rise again The Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the National Living Wage doesn’t fall below two-thirds of UK median earnings - a benchmark that defines the [...]

The government has launched its Small Business Plan which it believes will help small businesses to grow and encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses. The plan recognises that small businesses make a vital contribution to the economy, employing 60% of the UK’s workforce and generating £2.8 trillion in turnover. Here is a breakdown of some of the key measures and how they may impact your business. Could This Be the End of Late Payments? Likely not, however the government is promising the toughest late payment legislation in the G7. They plan to introduce: A legal requirement for large businesses to pay [...]

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies. If you're a company director or PSC, this change will affect you, and it’s important to understand what’s required - and when. What’s Changing? From 18 November 2025: New directors will need to verify their identity when incorporating a company or being appointed to an existing one. Existing directors will be [...]

As the UK heads into the Budget this autumn, speculation is mounting over whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves will be forced to raise taxes to plug a growing gap in the nation’s finances. According to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr), the government is on course to miss its own borrowing targets by £41.2 billion, unless action is taken. Niesr warns that a “moderate but sustained increase in taxes” may be the only realistic route for the government, particularly under the borrowing rules the chancellor has described as “non-negotiable.” A “Trilemma” for Reeves When Reeves became Chancellor, she [...]

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England have reduced the Bank Rate to 4% (previously 4.25%). The decision was made by a narrow 5-4 majority and required 2 votes. This perhaps highlights the uncertainty that continues in the economy. What Factors Led to the Reduction? The MPC’s report shows that they are predicting that inflation will peak at 4.0% in September and then fall back towards their 2% target. Because of the progress made in controlling inflation, the MPC felt that a further reduction was appropriate. While UK GDP shrank by 0.3% in April and 0.1% in [...]

The government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) is now up and running, with more vehicle models eligible for discounts. Initially launched in July, the £650 million scheme offers savings on new electric cars priced at or below £37,000. The discount is either £3,750 or £1,500, depending on the vehicle’s sustainability and is applied directly at the point of sale, with no paperwork required from customers. The grant aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable by reducing the upfront purchase price and narrowing the cost gap with petrol and diesel models. This is part of the government’s broader commitment to phase [...]

New regulations have come into force that require online marketplaces - such as those hosting overseas sellers - to bear their share of the costs for managing and recycling waste electrical items like washing machines, radios and vacuum cleaners. Until now, UK-based firms had carried the financial burden of disposal and recycling, putting them at a disadvantage compared to foreign competitors operating on these platforms. Under the new system, these platforms must register with the Environment Agency and report data on sales made by their overseas sellers in the UK to determine their financial contributions. The resulting funds are intended [...]

If your business sells goods in packaging - whether that’s cardboard boxes, bottles, jars or plastic wrap - there’s an important update you should know about. PackUK (the body running the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, or pEPR scheme) has confirmed the 2025 base fees for the scheme. It has also set out a new three-year plan for how fees will change from 2026, depending on how recyclable your packaging is. Let’s break down what this means. What is pEPR? pEPR is a government scheme where the businesses that make or use packaging (called “producers”) help pay for the [...]

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the UK labour market is continuing to ease, although the slowdown remains measured rather than abrupt. Vacancies fell by 5.8% to 718,000 in the three months to July 2025, the lowest level since April 2021 when the economy was still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Outside of the pandemic period, vacancy numbers have not been this low since early 2015. The fall was broad-based across sectors, with hospitality and retail seeing the largest reductions. Payroll data showed 8,000 fewer people in employment between June and July. However, the [...]

The government is pressing ahead with Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax - and it will affect many sole traders and landlords over the next few years. Here’s what’s changing, when it’s changing, and how to get ready. What is MTD for Income Tax? Under MTD, sole traders and landlords whose “qualifying income” is above a certain level will need to: Keep digital business records. Use HMRC-approved software to send quarterly updates. Submit an annual final declaration. “Qualifying income” basically refers to your total gross income from self-employment and property in a tax year, before expenses. Who Will Be [...]