Category: Technology
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 […]
AI providing misleading advice on VAT return filing
No extension to statutory due dates when they fall on weekends or bank holidays Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are reminding VAT-registered businesses that there is no extension to the statutory due […]
Draft CBAM Rules Published
What administrative demands will CBAM bring? The government has published the draft secondary legislation for the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is due to go live on 1 January 2027. This is an important development for UK businesses importing affected materials. What is CBAM? CBAM has already been introduced in the EU […]
Salary Sacrifice: Good for Employers and Employees
What are the advantages for your business? With costs rising, many employers and employees are looking for practical ways to reduce outgoings without cutting benefits. Salary sacrifice can be an excellent tool to do this, but many businesses overlook it. In short, salary sacrifice lets an employee give up part of their gross salary […]
New FCA Rules for Buy Now Pay Later
Regulation will commence in July 2026 Unregulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) agreements will fall under full FCA regulation from 15 July 2026. For the first time, BNPL lenders will need to meet the same expectations as other consumer-credit providers. With almost 11 million UK adults using BNPL in 2024, according to an FCA survey, […]
Backtrack on Digital ID Requirements
Backtrack on Digital ID Requirements Digital right to work checks will be mandatory, ID optional It appears that the government has backtracked on plans to require workers to register with its new digital ID programme to prove their right to work in the UK. While right-to-work checks will still be carried out digitally by 2029, […]
Spring Forecast Scheduled for 3 March 2026
Spring Forecast Scheduled for 3 March 2026 Will there be any changes to tax policy? The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has requested the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to publish an economic and fiscal forecast on 3 March 2026. This will be accompanied by a statement to Parliament. As set out in the Budget, the […]
Dividend Tax Rates Rising in April 2026
What Does It Mean for Profit Extraction? The recent Budget confirmed that dividend tax rates will increase from April 2026. The ordinary and upper rates of dividend tax will both rise by 2%. For many small and medium-sized companies, dividends are central to how owners pay themselves. With the tax rates rising, your pay […]
NCSC Launches Free Cyber Action Toolkit
Practical actions to help businesses boost security The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a new free Cyber Action Toolkit to help small businesses strengthen their cyber defences in a simple and affordable way. The toolkit has been designed for businesses that may not have in-house IT expertise or large security budgets, offering clear, […]
ICO Reminds Businesses to Strengthen Cyber Security
What practical steps can your business take? The increasing prevalence of cyber-attacks has led the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to remind businesses to review their security measures and protect any personal information they hold. According to government figures, UK businesses experienced an estimated 7.7 million cyber-crimes over the past year. Most small businesses store […]
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