SMEs spend around 242 million hours a year on tax compliance, costing nearly £25 billion. That’s not growth. That’s not a strategy. That’s just keeping up. A significant burden before you’ve even got to running your business.

Making Tax Digital has now begun. More regular reporting is coming in, and for many businesses that will mean a bit more admin. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has questioned how much value quarterly reporting adds. From what we’re seeing so far, most businesses are still working out what the real…

AI tools are becoming more common in the workplace and can be great for productivity. But it is important to know where to draw the line. There have already been high profile cases where AI generated information has turned out to be wrong, showing how confidently it can produce inaccurate answers. Relied on blindly it…

The major banks have agreed an £11 billion lending package to help smaller businesses invest, grow and expand into exporting. Alongside this, the government is pushing to involve more SMEs in public sector contracts and offering regional funding to support businesses adopting new technology.

Many SMEs owners are looking at new ways to structure their pay rises. One approach is keeping salary increases broadly in line with inflation, with profit linked bonuses on top rather than committing to larger fixed rises. It helps manage long term costs while still rewarding the team when the business performs well.

Interesting to see the number of people on zero hours contracts in the UK reach a record high. For many SMEs it reflects the current climate. Businesses are being more cautious about commitments, and these contracts have become one way to manage uncertainty while still creating opportunities for work.

We have found we are having more conversations with clients about timing rather than just totals. Pension contributions, bonuses and capital allowances can often be adjusted year to year. Used carefully, they can help smooth taxable profits rather than creating peaks and troughs. For businesses trading at a consistent profit level each year, a measured approach can…

From April 2029, the government plans to reduce the National Insurance advantages currently available through salary sacrifice pension contributions. Pension contributions will continue to benefit from income tax relief, but the National Insurance efficiency for both employers and employees is expected to be restricted.

There has been a climb in private equity interest in UK SMEs, particularly in established businesses that are profitable and performing consistently. In an uncertain economic climate, these businesses are often seen as a stable place to invest.