Identity verification deadline confirmed – Are you prepared?

After months of uncertainty, Companies House has set the identity-verification deadline as 18 November 2025. From that date, all new company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity. Existing directors and PSCs will then have 12 months to complete verification, which means 18 November 2026 is the true identity verification deadline. […]

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The danger of uncertainty – How the economy and Autumn Budget may be holding back investment

With UK growth slowing to just 0.3 per cent in Q2, business confidence is fragile. Momentum has faded after a surge in exports ahead of new tariffs earlier this year, while weaker consumer confidence and persistently high household savings add to the uncertainty. The upcoming Autumn Budget is amplifying concerns with the expectation that the […]

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How have the increases in employment costs affected wage growth and hiring?

When the Chancellor unveiled £26 billion in additional taxes and higher employer National Insurance contributions (NIC) last autumn, the impact on business confidence was immediate. Businesses are now trying to manage: The new adult National Minimum Wage rate, which has risen to £12.21. A 1.2 per cent rise in employer NIC. Statutory pay increases and […]

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How can AI deliver unexpected savings within your business?

How can AI deliver unexpected savings within your business?

Many business owners assume artificial intelligence (AI) is only relevant for large corporations. However, modern tools are already helping smaller firms reduce costs in subtle but powerful ways. Better supplier pricing Software can now track pricing trends across your industry, flagging when you are paying more than the market average. For example, a commercial printer […]

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Should I be worrying about the size of my pension? IHT reform raises questions about this tax-efficient investment

Should I be worried about the size of my pension? IHT reform raises questions about this tax-efficient investment

For a long time, pensions have offered a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth to the next generation. Under current rules, most defined-contribution pensions sit outside your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. This can mean they are passed on entirely free from IHT, particularly if death occurs before age 75. What changes are coming […]

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