Business News
Rising overseas exports boost businesses
Businesses that sell goods to overseas markets were boosted by UK exports hitting a record high in 2017, according to the latest trade figures. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests global demand for manufacturing goods and business services...
Most Brits face working into mid-60s
Most workers in the UK expect to be working part-time after reaching the age of 65, according to a retirement study. Scottish Widows polled 3,535 people and found 51% expect to be working into their mid-60s, while 18% of those claim it’s more out of necessity than...
5 key tax changes for 2018/19
The 2018/19 tax year is upon us and a raft of new changes have come into force – here’s what to expect: Income tax changes The personal allowance has increased to £11,850 across the UK, and the higher rate threshold is increasing to £46,350 for England, Wales and...
Late payments affect half of businesses
Almost half of small and medium-sized businesses have struggled with late payments in the last year, according to research by the Institute of Directors (IoD). Of the 787 business leaders surveyed, 48% have faced issues with late payments since April 2017. About 3 in...
Disincorporation relief set to expire
Businesses will no longer be able to claim dis-incorporation relief from 31 March 2018. The relief is being withdrawn after fewer than 50 businesses attempted to access the scheme 3 years after its launch, despite more than 610,000 UK businesses being eligible....
Reduced dividend allowance edges closer
From 6 April 2018, the tax-free allowance on dividends will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000. Owner-directors have used the dividend allowance to extract profits from their business, but changes over recent years have seen the advantage of this tax-efficient strategy...
Home ownership falls for middle-income young adults
Young adults with middle incomes are considerably less likely to own their own home than those born 20 years earlier, new figures show. Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that from 1995/96, 65% of 25 to 34-year-olds with incomes in the middle 20%...
Firms face fines for failing to report gender pay gap
Employers could face unlimited fines if they fail to comply with gender pay gap reporting regulations, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned. After the deadlines pass – 30 March 2018 for public sector organisations and 4 April 2018 for businesses...
Freelancers drive self-employment growth
Freelancers in highly-skilled occupations have driven growth in the UK self-employment sector over the past decade, according to a report. Drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed...