Catch up with key economic and business news and opinion from Evans Weir here...
From 1 February 2026, Companies House will be changing its fees in the first major update since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act came into force. While the increases are being introduced to support transparency and enforcement, the increased fees will mean a rise in running costs for many small business owners. What […]
As the self assessment deadline fast approaches, and with AI growing in use, it’s inevitable that many taxpayers are considering whether AI can offer a shortcut for this year’s submission. So are you tempted to use AI – and should you even try? It’s clear that AI is creeping into many aspects of our lives. […]
Holding shares in a company can amount to a sizeable asset, especially when you’re planning what will happen to your estate after you die. Depending on the way the business is structured will impact on how your assets are handled so it’s sensible to consider what you might need to do for inheritance purposes. Generally […]
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is the minimum amount which can be paid to those taking maternity leave. All employees who are eligible can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave, split into 26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave. SMP is payable for up to 39 weeks of that leave and […]
A business loan can be a useful tool for SMEs, offering access to capital which can help with growth, stability and resilience. Loans can facilitate investment in new locations, staff or equipment, as well as helping smooth cash flow and build business credit. When managed well, interest on a business loan can be more affordable […]
In a bid to help boost the economy the Government has revealed details of its Small Business Plan. The consultation, which aims to back SMEs and support growth, has been designed to help deliver £320 billion into the UK economy by 2030. So what’s been announced, and how will the plans support SMEs? Employer National […]
HMRC has announced that it is abandoning its plans for Making Tax Digital for Corporation Tax (MTD for CT). The news came in the tax authority’s recent Transformation Roadmap. The focus is now on ensuring that any future administration of CT is well suited “to the varying needs of the diverse CT population”. Clearly the […]
The news that the Government planned to tighten up the rules around Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) was met with dismay when it was announced in last year’s Autumn Budget. The plans would mean only up to £1 million of qualifying agricultural or business assets could be passed on at the […]
If you’re running an SME much of your time will be taken up with decisions about how to run a successful and profitable business. But what about your exit strategy? What do you want to happen to your business when you choose to leave, retire or exit for other reasons? A good business exit strategy […]
Offering competitive employee benefits is crucial for SMEs, especially to attract and retain talent. But this can be tricky when budgets are tighter than in large companies. The most effective benefits strike a balance between affordability for the business and strong perceived value for employees. So which are best to consider, and do any offer […]
Setting up a business partnership can be an exciting time. Working with other professionals can offer additional skills, and the ability to steer your company successfully with insight, support and guidance from others. There is no legal requirement to have a written partnership agreement in the UK, but they can be a very helpful tool. […]
Adopting sustainable practices is now an important business exercise for many SMEs. But is there a need to ensure environmental systems are correctly reported on? And how should this be done? Sustainability is now a much more typical part of company operations. A few years ago offering insight into the impact of a company’s sustainable […]