Advanta Chartered Accountants

16/10/2026

07/10/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

Business groups respond to Chancellor's first Labour Party Conference speech
On 28 September 2026, John Healey delivered his first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Labour Party Conference identifying 'Backing Britain' as one of his main priorities.

ONS releases labour market overview for September 2026
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their latest estimates of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity, and other employment-related statistics for the UK.

ONS statistics show government is borrowing more than expected
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 22 September 2026 showed the UK borrowed £18.3 billion in August 2026, up £2.9 billion on the same month last year.

Government launches overhaul of corporate reporting
The government recently launched an overhaul of corporate reporting that it hopes will save UK businesses more than £450 million per year.

Three directors have been fined in first court action for identity verification offences
In rules brought in under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, directors are required to verify their identity with Companies House or risk enforcement action and penalties.

SMEs face issues in accessing suitable finance
A recent report by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that only 21% of the total value of UK business loans are provided to SMEs and 54% of SMEs are not using external finance in any capacity.

Nearly half of UK businesses using AI tools
Research carried out by insurer Simply Business has revealed that 47% of UK small business owners are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

240 crypto millionaires revealed by HMRC data
Declarations of over than £1 million in capital gains from cryptoassets in the 2024/25 tax year were made by 240 individuals, according to data published by HMRC.

Visit our website to view the full stories.

08/09/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

HMRC set to sign taxpayers up for MTD for Income Tax
From September 2026, HMRC intends to write to taxpayers who need to use the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) service but who have not registered to let them know HMRC has signed them up on their behalf.

Prime Minister urged to reverse IHT changes at Autumn Budget
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been urged to reverse changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) at the upcoming Autumn Budget.

Crackdown on zero hours contracts could cost businesses
An analysis carried out by the government has revealed that a crackdown on zero hours contracts could cost businesses £2.9 billion a year.

Business group sets recommendations to help small firms recruit
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has outlined recommendations to help small firms recruit talent.

Business confidence 'remains subdued', report says
A report carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD) has revealed that business confidence remains 'subdued' as cost pressures on firms intensify.

Figures show job vacancies have fallen to lowest level in five years
Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the number of job vacancies has fallen to its lowest level in over five years.

Business group outlines three-point plan for new government
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has set out a three-point plan for the new government.

Prime Minister pledges to ease cost of living for UK households
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to help ease the cost-of-living crisis for households in the UK.

Visit our website to view the full stories.

13/08/2026

10/08/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

Don't ignore Simple Assessment letters, says HMRC
HMRC has urged customers not to ignore Simple Assessment letters for the 2025/26 tax year.

Government announces VAT will be cut from household electricity bills
The government recently announced that VAT will be cut from household electricity bills from 1 October in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.

HMRC reminds people with side hustles to register for self assessment
HMRC is reminding people with side hustles that they will need to tell it if they earn more than £1,000.

Government unlocks major finance package for small businesses
Significant reforms to small business finance have been announced by the government.

Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion in unclaimed savings
The government is stepping up its efforts to reconnect young people with unclaimed savings in Child Trust Funds (CTFs).

Targeted subsidies are needed for firms to tackle Britain's NEETs crisis
Targeted subsidies, rather than expensive tax breaks, are the most cost-effective way of supporting employers to get young people into work, according to Resolution Foundation analysis.

HMRC still has a long way to go on customer service, says CIOT
HMRC's performance data for 2025/26 shows it has made progress on customer service but still has a way to go, according to the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

Prime Minister cuts business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has slashed business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England by 20%.

Visit our website to view the full stories.

07/07/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

Over 110,000 taxpayers yet to register for MTD
More than 110,000 unrepresented taxpayers who must register for Making Tax Digital (MTD) from April 2026 have still not done so, according to the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Expansion of 'uncertain tax treatment' rules cause for concern
Government plans to extend the rules requiring some taxpayers to declare 'uncertain' tax positions risk creating more uncertainty, compliance burdens and tax disputes according to the CIOT.

Phased rollout of payrolling for employee benefits a 'welcome step'
The decision to phase in the mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind is a 'welcome step' to allow employers and payroll software providers more time to prepare for significant changes, says the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).

HMRC boosts funding for taxpayers needing extra support
More than £11 million in funding has been made available to taxpayers struggling with their tax affairs.

Hospitality sector calls for 10% VAT rate
Hospitality businesses, teams and organisations are being urged to sign a new petition calling for the government to cut the VAT rate for the sector to 10% by UKHospitality.

Small businesses to benefit from strengthened debt advice services
Small businesses and the self-employed struggling with their finances to receive a helping hand as debt advice services are strengthened, the Treasury has announced.

HMRC mileage rate increased to 55p
The headline approved mileage rate has increased to 55p per business mile for the first 10,000 miles, with effect from 6 April 2026.

Latest guidance for employers
HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Visit our website to view the full stories.

01/07/2026

Nominations now open for the Eastbourne Business Awards 2026!

Nominations for the Eastbourne Business Awards are still open! So make sure that you prepare your nominations and shine a spotlight on your company, another business or person you believe deserves the recognition.

You may enter or nominate up to three different categories for a greater chance of receiving the recognition you deserve.

Categories include:

🌟 Community Business Award (sponsored by Walfinch Home Care)
🌟 Health and Wellbeing Award (sponsored by First Choice Dental Clinic)
🌟 Small Business Award (sponsored by Loch)
🌟 SME Business Award (sponsored by Advanta Chartered Accountants)
🌟 Large Business Award (sponsored by Lightning Fibre)
🌟 Outstanding Young Achiever/ Apprentice Award (sponsored by East Sussex College)
🌟 Outstanding Professional Service Award (sponsored by HR Dept & Owen Contractors)
🌟 Outstanding Sustainable / Green Award (sponsored by Identity)
🌟 Outstanding New Business / Start-up Award (sponsored by Barwells Solicitors)
🌟 Outstanding Food & Drink Award (sponsored by Urban Food Service)
🌟 Outstanding Tourism/ Accommodation Award (sponsored by Pomodorro E Mozzarella)
🌟 Customer Service Excellence Award (sponsored by Insight6)
🌟 Creative Excellence Award (sponsored by PRG Marketing Communications)
🌟 Digital Excellence Award (sponsored by Southern IT)
🌟 Outstanding Family Business Award (sponsored by Sykes Harley-Davidson)
🌟 Employer of the Year Award (sponsored by Posturite)
🌟 Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by The Beacon)
🌟 Overall Business of the Year (sponsored by Brufords)

🚨 Please note that nominations must be submitted before Tuesday 28th July 2026, at 11pm.

This special evening will be taking place on Friday 16th October 2026, tickets are now also available to purchase.

24/06/2026

We were honoured to have sponsored a hole at this year's charity golf day in support of Children With Cancer Fund.

It was a fantastic day, bringing together local businesses, golfers and supporters to raise funds for an incredibly important cause. We were delighted to play our part in helping make a difference.

A huge thank you to the organisers Clarke Roofing (Southern) Ltd, volunteers and everyone who took part. The generosity shown throughout the day was truly inspiring.

While we're usually focused on helping our clients stay under budget, today it was all about helping a great cause stay on course. ⛳

09/06/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

Record number of taxpayers file self assessment in April
A record 737,891 taxpayers filed their 2025/26 self assessment returns in April, according to figures from HMRC.

ICAEW encourages taxpayers to sign up to Making Tax Digital
Taxpayers who are required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from April 2026 should sign up now if they haven't done so already, says the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Late payment legislation is 'historic' moment
The UK government's formal commitment to legislation to stamp out late payments is an historic moment, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Summer savings for children launched
Families travelling this summer will benefit from free bus travel for children as part of the government's efforts to help with the cost of living.

Government boosts efforts to help young people find their Child Trust Funds
The government will contact thousands of young people about forgotten Child Trust Funds (CTFs) in a bid to reunite account holders with their accounts that are now worth £2,200 on average.

Government must fix 'broken business rates'
The government must take the chance to fix the UK's broken business rates system, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Crime against business putting growth at risk
Decisive action is needed to tackle the 'hidden threat' of crime against businesses damaging growth, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Advisory fuel rates for company cars
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 June 2026.

Visit our website to view the full stories.

07/05/2026

Welcome to our monthly newswire designed to keep you informed of the latest business and tax issues. Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we're here to help.

Countdown to taxation of benefits-in-kind via the payroll underway
There is less than a year to go before all employers must tax benefits-in-kind via the payroll, the Chartered Institute of Taxation has warned.

UK government to review mileage rates
The government has confirmed it will review approved mileage rates for business users ahead of a future Budget.

UK businesses should apply now for Va**ng Products Duty
Va**ng-related businesses and supply chains need to register now for Va**ng Products Duty (VPD) and the Va**ng Duty Stamps (VDS) Scheme, says HMRC.

Government unveils crackdown on late payments
Small businesses to be backed by new, stronger measures to tackle late payments, the government has announced.

New procurement rules offer SMEs hope
The government's new procurement rules that target opportunities for smaller businesses offer hope to SMEs, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Pensioners urged to be alert to Winter Fuel Payment scams
HMRC is warning pensioners to be on high alert for scams as the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments begins this month.

Higher energy prices could leave typical British households £480 worse off this year
Higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East are set to make the median working-age British household £480 worse off this year, according to the Resolution Foundation.

Latest guidance for employers
HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Visit our website to view the full stories.