Budget 2026 halves Business Asset Disposal Relief limit to £500,000
The Budget cuts the Business Asset Disposal Relief lifetime limit to £500,000 from April 2027. What will it mean for business owners selling up?
News & Insights
The latest news, features and viewpoints from the small business world. If you have a good SME news story, please email us.
Budget 2026 live – how will it affect small businesses?
Follow Budget 2026 news affecting small businesses, sole traders and limited company directors, with confirmed pre-Budget measures and official links.
Nearly one in three UK startups now use freelancers or fractional workers
Almost a third of UK startups now use freelancers or part-time specialists instead of relying solely on permanent staff, according to new research from Startups.
Getting a mortgage as a sole trader vs. limited company director
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to prove your income to get a mortgage. Here’s how the process works for sole traders and limited company owners.
Self-employed can now get Enhanced DBS checks without an employer
Guide to Enhanced DBS checks for self-employed people (since the 2026 legislation change), including eligibility, the application process, and costs.
85% of parents would support their child starting a business
Most parents would support their children starting a business, while more than a third would rather see them do that than head to university, according to new research.
One in four qualifying business owners still haven’t signed up for MTD
With the first quarterly MTD for Income Tax deadline on the horizon, new research suggests that many sole traders are still unprepared for the new rules.
The first year in business – why survival matters more than speed
Ask most aspiring entrepreneurs what success looks like, and you’ll often hear the same answers. Launching quickly. Winning customers. Growing revenue. Hiring staff. Those milestones are important, but they overlook a far more significant achievement. Staying in business. The first year is where habits are formed, systems are tested, and reputations are built. Businesses that … Read more
More than 200,000 businesses enter MTD without an accountant
A quarter of businesses entering Making Tax Digital for Income Tax are unrepresented, with firms warning of rising fees, according to a TaxCalc survey.
UK small businesses still owed £70bn in late payments, says Hiscox report
Small firms are owed £70.4bn in late payments, according to Hiscox, with many waiting weeks beyond invoice due dates, causing cash flow issues and stress.