The Close Company Crackdown: Navigating HMRC’s New “Anti-Evasion” Reporting Burdens
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has issued a matter-of-fact warning to owner-managed businesses regarding HMRC’s escalating drive toward blanket data collection. In its official response to the government’s latest consultation on “close companies” (businesses controlled by five or fewer participators, which includes the vast majority of family-run SMEs), the ICAEW […]
Mandatory payrolling now to be phased in
Many benefits will not be mandated until April 2028 Mandatory payrolling for Benefits In Kind was originally expected to start in April 2027, but following industry pressure, it will now be introduced in two phases. Phase 1 will continue to be rolled out from 6 April 2027, with Phase 2 starting a year later on […]
Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028
Reforms to affect micro entity and small company accounts Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023). The changes will now come into effect from April 2028, rather than April 2027, to give companies more time to prepare. The […]
The Small Business Protections Bill: Is This the End of Late Payments?
For decades, the culture of late payments has served as a silent, debilitating anchor on the cash flow of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to recent economic impact studies, approximately 38 businesses close their doors every single day across the UK purely due to the ripple effects of delayed invoices. In a historic […]
Shake UP Wake UP Scale Up Sponsors 2026
Our sponsors this year at shakeUPwakeUPscaleUP are: DUA For more than 30 years, DUA has worked alongside owner-managed businesses, providing strategic accountancy, tax and business advisory services that help SMEs grow sustainably. More than accountants, they are trusted advisers who understand the realities of leading and scaling a business. Rakesh and the DUA team founded […]
Meet Our Exhibitors at SWS26 – Your Climate for Growth
Alongside an inspiring programme of keynote speakers, SWS26 offers attendees the opportunity to connect with a carefully selected group of exhibitors, each providing specialist expertise to help SMEs grow, improve efficiency, and overcome business challenges. During the networking breaks on 8 July at Pendley Manor, Tring, you’ll have the chance to meet each exhibitor in […]
Employee Burnout Becoming a Major Business Risk for UK Employers
Employee burnout is becoming one of the most significant workplace issues facing UK businesses during 2026. Recent commentary from ACAS and employer surveys published across the UK business sector indicate rising concerns around workload pressure, stress, and staff wellbeing. While inflationary pressures may have eased slightly compared to previous years, many businesses continue operating with […]
Export to the EU: Low-value parcel rules change on 1 July
€3 fixed customs duty will apply Starting 1 July 2026, a fixed customs duty of €3 will be applied to small parcels valued at less than €150 exported to the EU. The rate will be applied to all goods exported to the EU by non-EU businesses that are registered in the EU’s Import One-Stop […]
Late Payments Continue to Hurt UK SMEs Despite Economic Stabilisation
Late payment problems continue to affect thousands of UK SMEs during 2026, despite wider signs of economic stabilisation. Recent commentary from the Federation of Small Businesses and UK business media highlights growing frustration among small businesses over delayed invoice payments and worsening cash flow pressures. The Ongoing Cash Flow Challenge For many SMEs, cash flow […]
NCSC begins recommending use of passkeys
Passkeys may provide stronger protection than traditional 2SV The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) announced at CYBERUK 2026 in Glasgow that it will begin recommending the use of passkeys wherever a service supports them, and two-step verification (2SV) where it does not. A passkey is a way to sign in that does not use […]