News

From 7 April 2025, families receiving Child Benefit will see an increase in their payments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that the weekly rate will rise to £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child. This means an annual payment of £1,354.60 for the first child and £897 for each subsequent child. These payments, usually made every four weeks, are automatically into claimants’ bank accounts.

The UK Government is currently considering its response to the ‘reciprocal tariffs’ announced by the US President Donald Trump on 2 April.

From 1 May 2025, all B2B (business to business) parcels travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will need to have information submitted onto the Customs Declaration Service.

The government has announced a £20 million package that will help community land trusts, housing cooperatives and other community groups to build over 2,500 new homes in the next 10 years.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Spring Statement last week in which she outlined the government’s economic plans, including spending decisions, tax policies and efforts to boost growth while managing public finances.

The new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates will come into force from 1 April 2025.

As part of the changes being gradually introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT), identity verification is set to become a Companies House requirement.

The Bank of England held its regular meeting to discuss interest rates last Thursday.