The government has announced a package of measures intended to help motorists and businesses manage rising fuel costs following disruption linked to the conflict in Iran. As part of the package, the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until the end of 2026. The government estimates that

Self-assessment taxpayers are usually required to make payments on account to pay their Income Tax liabilities. These are paid in two instalments, the first on 31 January during the tax year and the second on 31 July following the end of the tax year. A final balancing payment (or repayment) is then

Employers looking to provide staff with small gifts or seasonal tokens of appreciation should remember the rules for tax-free trivial benefits. A benefit can qualify as a trivial benefit where all of the following conditions are met: the benefit costs £50 or less; it is not cash or a cash

Most lifetime gifts are treated as potentially exempt transfers (PETs) for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. In general, these gifts become fully exempt if the donor survives for seven years after making the transfer. If death occurs within seven years, the gift may become chargeable, with taper

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves updated Parliament on 21 May 2026 on the Government’s economic response to the war in Iran and the wider measures being taken to support households and businesses with rising cost pressures. One of the measures announced was an increase in approved

The option to tax is a VAT election that allows businesses to treat supplies of most non-residential land and buildings as taxable rather than VAT exempt. Once an option to tax is made, supplies in relation to that property are generally subject to VAT at the standard rate. One of the key

Many businesses take out “key person” insurance policies to protect against the financial impact of losing an important employee, director or other individual who is central to the success of the business. These policies may provide cover for death, critical illness, sickness, accident

The Government has introduced a landmark new Bill aimed at tackling the growing problem of late payments to small businesses, with ministers describing the measures as the biggest crackdown in more than 25 years. Late payment remains one of the most significant pressures facing smaller firms,

The Government has announced a new package of measures designed to help households manage rising living costs during the summer months, as concerns continue over inflation, fuel prices and household spending pressures. The package, described as the “Great British Summer Savings Scheme”,