HMRC introduces faster National Insurance refunds

HMRC has introduced an automated payment process to speed up refunds for people who may have overpaid National Insurance contributions. The process has been in use since early summer, according to HMRC’s latest Agent Update. HMRC will write to people it identifies as potentially having overpaid, providing details of their past employment and National Insurance […]

Founders Relief – Calm down founders – it probably doesn’t include you

The new founders relief reminds me of signs that used to be shown in shops when I was a kid. 10% CGT rate on up to £10m sounds amazing! Yes some founders will land within the very narrow definitions but the real story of founders is in the everyday. The Founder that buys a van […]

Autumn Budget Report 2026

The Chancellor’s Budget includes changes affecting savings, property income, business disposals, payroll, pensions and the way tax is reported and paid. Some measures are new, while others confirm plans announced previously. Many will not take effect immediately, giving taxpayers time to consider their options. This update highlights developments likely to be of interest to individuals, […]

Business software competition

Could businesses benefit from greater software choice? The Competition and Markets Authority has announced a new investigation into competition within the UK business software market, raising questions about whether organisations have sufficient freedom to select, combine and change the software they use. On 16 October 2026, the regulator proposed designating Microsoft as having strategic market […]

Business energy costs

Concern about energy costs among UK businesses has reached its highest recorded level since the Office for National Statistics began asking its current survey question in March 2026. According to figures published on 8 October, 72% of businesses expressed some degree of concern about energy prices, with the proportion rising to 91% among businesses operating […]