UK freelancers confident about 2026 despite tax hikes and tough economy
Despite the difficult economic climate, higher taxes and new regulations, the UK’s freelancers are confident about 2026, according to new research.
News & Insights
The latest news, features and viewpoints from the small business world. If you have a good SME news story, please email us.
Intellectual property (IP) for small businesses: what you need to know
A practical guide to intellectual property for small businesses, covering trademarks, copyright, patents and design rights, plus common ownership pitfalls.
Sole traders eye ’40 hour’ time saving as MTD countdown begins
New research suggests many sole traders hope the shift to digital tax reporting will finally ease the end-of-January Self Assessment crunch.
Cybersecurity for the self-employed: What you need to know to keep data safe
Self-employment is an important, but often neglected, part of the economy. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are approximately 4.4 million self-employed people in the United Kingdom, representing about 13% of the labour market. The rise of technology has changed the world of self-employment just as much as any other sector. Smartphones and … Read more
Small company owners hit hard by April 2026 dividend tax increase
In today’s Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that the basic and higher rates of dividend tax will rise by two percentage points from April 2026.
Autumn Budget ’25 – Chancellor hammers small business owners again
The Chancellor has delivered her Autumn Budget and confirmed a long list of tax and spending changes that will affect millions of small business owners.
Willow Ethos – unlocking staff potential in small businesses
Bytestart spoke to Willow Ethos founders Paul and Matthew Bennett to talk how behavioural analysis and culture alignment can boost small business performance.
Increase in home-based side hustles raises questions for insurers
New data suggests parents may need to check their home insurance policy terms if an adult child returns home and starts running a side business.
HMRC reminds Christmas side hustlers to check if they need to pay tax
HMRC has issued a festive reminder to anyone making extra money from market stalls and other seasonal side hustles, to check if their earnings are taxable.
Autumn Budget 2025: Small businesses braced for major tax hikes
Tax rises on income, dividends and VAT could feature in the November Budget. Here’s what small business owners should expect.