Latest News for Business

05 Feb 2026

Pubs get 15% business rates relief

Pubs and live music venues in England will be given a 15% discount on their business rates bills from April and will not see increases for two years, the government announced.

05 Feb 2026

Tax timebomb poses existential threat to high streets, government warned

Small businesses such as cafes, shops and hairdressers are facing three years of business rates misery with an average 52% hike in bills, analysis from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed.

05 Feb 2026

Self assessment payments via the HMRC app up 65%

The number of people using the HMRC app to pay their self assessment tax bill has increased by 65% this tax year, according to the tax authority.

05 Feb 2026

UK Treasury to regulate cryptocurrency under new legislation

The UK will bring cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, into a regulatory framework with legislation due by 2027.

05 Feb 2026

UK lenders agree £11 billion SME package

Five major UK banks have agreed a £11 billion lending package aimed at SMEs to support small business growth, the government has announced.

05 Feb 2026

Over 4,800 self assessment scams reported

More than 4,800 self assessment scams have been reported since February 2025, according to data released by HMRC.

05 Feb 2026

UK inflation will fall in 2026

The UK can expect to see big falls in the rate of inflation this year, according to the Resolution Foundation.

05 Feb 2026

Government must ramp up its growth strategy, says think tank

Despite falling behind its peers the UK economy could be on the brink of a turnaround so the government must ramp up rather than run-down its growth strategy, says the Resolution Foundation.