Business News

This section contains the latest business news stories.

Umbrella company regulation in 'precarious position', warns IPSE

Government proposals to enact a due diligence regime for the umbrella company market are in a 'precarious position, unless government shows some urgency, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has warned.

Business price pressures persist, warns BCC

Business price pressures persist despite the UK's inflation rate falling to its lowest level since September 2021.

UK inflation falls to lowest level since September 2021

The UK's annual inflation rate fell in March for a second consecutive month, dropping to 3.2%, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Small firms 'treading water' on investment, BCC warns

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that UK small firms are 'treading water' on investment.

Government must 'ensure growth among small firms is nurtured', says FSB

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the government to ensure that small business growth is 'nurtured rather than left to wither'.

Only five MTD for ITSA software products ready for testing

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has warned that just five Making Tax Digital for income tax self assessment (MTD for ITSA) software products are ready for beta testing on 22 April.

More than seven million adults still struggling to pay bills, finds FCA

Around 7.4 million people in the UK struggled to pay a bill or a credit repayment in January, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

IR35 reforms taking their toll on skilled contractors

One in ten highly skilled freelancers are currently out of work due to the impact of reforms to IR35 tax legislation, according to research published by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE).

PAC challenges HMRC on governance and accountability of MTD

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has challenged HMRC on the governance and accountability of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative.

Accessing finance getting more difficult for SMEs

Accessing finance is becoming more difficult for a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to new data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Government urged to reform Landfill Tax

Think tank Localis has urged the government to reform Landfill Tax to help cut down on waste crime and illegal activity by organised gangs.

Government urged to implement reforms to R&D tax system

A report by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to urgently implement reforms to Research and Development (R&D) tax relief in order to avoid 'hurting small companies'.

1.6 million pensioners expected to fall into income tax net, according to research

An analysis by the House of Commons library has revealed that up to 1.6 million pensioners are expected to fall into the income tax net in the next four years.

Research suggests SMEs are 'bracing' themselves for tough months ahead

Research carried out by Prism Solutions has suggested that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are bracing themselves for a 'tough few months' ahead.