News

September 15, 2025

How Should You Respond to Cyber Attacks?

Cyber-attacks are on the increase, and smaller businesses are by no means immune. Have you been the victim of an online scam or cyber-attack? Or worried that something like that may happen?

September 11, 2025

Aldi Leads the Way on Pay: Is High Pay a Good Approach?

Aldi introduced a pay boost last week for its store assistants that will see their pay rise to at least £13.02 per hour nationwide, making it the first UK supermarket to pass the £13 mark. Within the M25, rates will start at £14.35, rising to £14.66 with length of service. All staff, regardless of age, will receive the same minimum rate – well above the new National Living Wage of £12.21.

June 23, 2025

Should You Own a Property Through a Company - or Personally?

If you're considering buying a property, especially as an investment, one of the key decisions you'll face is whether to hold it personally or through a limited company. This choice can have long-term tax, financial, and administrative implications, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

June 19, 2025

Hiring Slows as Costs Rise

New data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that UK businesses are continuing to slow down recruitment, with job vacancies falling by 63,000 between March and May.

June 16, 2025

Spending Review 2025: Takeaway Points for Your Business

Last week, the Chancellor unveiled her Spending Review setting out how government departments will allocate money over the coming years. While much of the focus was on large-scale public services like the NHS and schools, there are some important signals here for businesses to take note of - both in terms of opportunity and outlook.

June 12, 2025

OECD Downgrades UK Growth Forecast, Citing Debt and Trade Barriers

The UK’s economic growth is set to slow more than expected, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which has downgraded its forecast for 2025 to 1.3%, down from 1.4% earlier this year.

June 11, 2025

Emissions Cutting Trial to Benefit Hospitality Businesses

The government has published details of a new emissions cutting trial that could benefit UK pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

June 9, 2025

Named and Shamed: Employers Failing to Pay Minimum Wage

In its latest round of investigations, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have named 518 employers who have failed to pay the National Living or National Minimum Wage correctly to their staff.

June 5, 2025

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Old Tech: New Guidance from the NCSC

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released new guidance on how to properly retire old digital systems and devices – a process known as decommissioning. The guidance is aimed at IT teams, but there are useful takeaways for any small business that uses computers, software or online systems.

June 4, 2025

FSB Updates Guidance on Employers’ Liability Insurance

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has recently updated its guidance on Employers’ Liability insurance - a useful reminder of the rules and risks around a business insurance that is legally required in the UK.