The number of people using the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment tax bill has increased by nearly 65% compared to the previous tax year. Almost 340,000 people have used the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment tax since 6 April 2025, an increase of 132,788 people compared … [Read more...]
News for: General Business
Office of the Small Business Commissioner recovers £10 million in late payments
£10 million in late payments has been paid to small businesses following intervention by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) since it was established in 2017. UK Government research has shown late payments cost the UK economy £11 billion per year with 4,000 businesses … [Read more...]
New car registrations surpassed 2 million in 2025
Annual new car registrations reached a post-pandemic high of 2.02 million in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed. 2025 marked the third consecutive year of growth for the UK’s new car market, with a December surge in registrations taking … [Read more...]
Cheshire East Council consults on budget proposals
Cheshire East residents, businesses, and other stakeholders are being invited to comment on budget proposals setting out how the local authority intends to close its funding gap over the next four years. Following strong engagement in the recent budget prioritisation survey – which attracted more … [Read more...]
Companies House begins identity verification for company directors
Companies House has begun phasing in compulsory identity verification for company directors over the next 12 months from 18th November. Changes mean anyone who becomes a company director or person with significant control (PSC) will need to verify their identity with Companies House. This change … [Read more...]
Northern leaders call on Chancellor to back the region in upcoming Budget
Ahead of her Budget, The Great North mayors and combined authority leaders have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, calling for a commitment to invest in the region. The Great North is a Mayoral led partnership bringing together political leaders representing the Mayoral Combined Authorities of … [Read more...]
Cheshire and Warrington leaders meet to begin delivering devolution plans
Leaders of Cheshire and Warrington's constituent councils held their inaugural meeting to begin shaping the new Combined Authority and deliver devolution for the region. The newly established Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board met for the first time on Friday 31 October … [Read more...]
Northern businesses share in £180 million since the launch of second Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
Businesses across the North have benefited from a total £180 million of investment since the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). With over 315 deals to date, the fund has directly invested £115 million into over 300 small businesses across the North of England, … [Read more...]
Fair Payment Code awards over 400 businesses
More than 400 businesses have been recognised by the Small Business Commissioner’s Fair Payment Code for their payment practices since it launched in December 2024. Late payments cost the UK economy almost £11 billion per year with 14,000 businesses closing each year because of late payments, … [Read more...]
Major online marketplaces pledge fair treatment for small businesses
Leading online marketplaces and payment providers, including eBay, PayPal and Temu, have collectively signed a pledge that promotes fair treatment for small businesses. The new 10-point pledge, centred on cashflow and payments, includes commitments to communicate effectively with small businesses … [Read more...]
Chair appointed to new Fair Work Agency
Matthew Taylor has been appointed as the first chair of the new Fair Work Agency, a new body that will enforce protections for workers as part of employment rights reforms. The Fair Work Agency will launch in April 2026 and bring together three existing enforcement bodies to create a single … [Read more...]
Fund manager surpasses £25 million in NPIF II lending to North West businesses
Fund manager for the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), FW Capital Debt Finance, has surpassed the £25 million lending milestone financing businesses in the North West of England. Since the Fund’s launch last year, NPIF II – FW Capital has successfully completed 64 investments, … [Read more...]