The tax landscape never sits still for long—and as we edge closer to the 2025 Autumn Budget, it’s already showing signs of another shake-up. With new measures taking shape, old rules fading out, and HMRC keeping a sharper eye on compliance, there’s plenty for businesses and individuals to keep tabs on. From rising state pensions nudging more retirees into the tax net to the growing scrutiny around umbrella companies and VAT errors, the months ahead promise both opportunities and a few unwelcome surprises.

State Pension Set for Rise — But More Retirees May Face Tax

Good news first: from April, the State Pension is expected to rise by more than £500 a year, thanks to the government’s triple lock guarantee. That’s the policy that ensures pensions increase by whichever is higher—2.5%, inflation, or average wage growth—so whichever way you slice it, pensioners are getting a pay bump.

This year, the average earnings growth figure of 4.7% looks set to win the race.

• New State Pension (for those reaching pension age after April 2016): rising to £241.05 per week (£12,534.60 a year), up by £561.60.
• Old Basic State Pension: heading to £184.75 per week (£9,607 a year), up by £431.60.

So far, so cheerful. But here’s the twist: the personal tax allowance—the bit you can earn tax-free—is frozen solid at £12,570 until 2028. With the State Pension creeping ever closer to that figure, many pensioners could find themselves paying tax for the first time by 2027.

While plenty of retirees already pay some income tax on private pensions or savings, the freeze means even those relying solely on the State Pension could get caught in the net soon enough.

In short: it’s a welcome raise—but don’t be surprised if HMRC ends up celebrating too.

If you’d like to explore how this might affect your income, get in touch—we’re happy to help you plan ahead.

Companies House WebFiling to Switch to GOV.UK One Login

Are you ready for the October change?

If your company filings are starting to feel like a password guessing game, this one’s for you. From 13 October 2025, Companies House will officially switch over to the GOV.UK One Login system—part of the government’s master plan to create one secure login for all online services (and, presumably, one password we’ll all still forget).

What’s Changing

• From 13 October, you’ll need to connect your existing WebFiling account to GOV.UK One Login before you can carry on filing.
• If you share a WebFiling login with colleagues, only one person can link it to their new account—everyone else will need to set up their own.
• Each person will need a separate GOV.UK One Login with a different email address.
• Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) can start verifying their identity early, though this won’t be mandatory until November 2025.

How to Get Ready

• Check your email addresses—make sure the ones linked to your Companies House and WebFiling accounts are current and accessible.
• Set up your GOV.UK One Login in advance to save a last-minute scramble.
• Find your company authentication codes—you’ll likely need them to link accounts.
• Review access permissions—if your team shares one login, you’ll need to assign new accounts for everyone.

If you try to log in after 13 October without connecting, you’ll be automatically redirected to do so. Best to get ahead now and avoid a 9 a.m. Monday login meltdown.

If you’d like help getting set up or managing your filings, give us a call—we’ll make sure your transition is smoother than your Wi-Fi connection on Teams.

Business Rates: Revaluations Coming in 2026

How will your business be affected?

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has opened sign-ups for its business rates valuation service—because the next revaluation lands on 1 April 2026, based on open-market rental values as at 1 April 2024.

This is part of the regular three-yearly cycle where commercial property rateable values are updated. It doesn’t mean your bill will triple overnight—but it’s worth knowing what’s coming so you’re not blindsided later.

Signing up for a business rates valuation account means you can:

• Check that your property details are correct.
• See your new valuation as soon as it’s published.
• Flag any errors early.
• Understand how your rateable value was calculated.

It’s a simple way to avoid surprises when new bills arrive in 2026—because no one likes a shock from their council tax, let alone their business rates.

Employment Rights Bill Moves a Step Closer

Day one rights, zero-hour contracts, and what’s next

The Employment Rights Bill has taken another step toward becoming law, moving back through the House of Commons after the Lords proposed some amendments.

Some of those tweaks—like softening day-one unfair dismissal protections or narrowing who benefits from the zero-hour contract ban—aren’t expected to stick. The Commons is likely to reject them as the Bill heads toward Royal Assent.

Once passed, it’ll mean updates for employment contracts, HR policies, and onboarding processes—so it’s worth reviewing your documentation ahead of time.

We’ll continue to keep you posted as it moves through Parliament, but consider this your early nudge to start preparing now rather than scrambling later.

ICO Reminds Businesses to Strengthen Cyber Security

Data protection is everyone’s business (and the ICO’s watching)

With an estimated 7.7 million cyber-crimes hitting UK businesses over the past year, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is urging organisations to get serious about protecting personal data.

As the ICO’s Executive Director Ian Hulme put it, when people trust you with their information, they expect you to actually keep it safe. Seems fair.

Practical Steps You Can Take

• Back up your data regularly and store it securely (not on the same server).
• Use strong passwords—three random words does the trick.
• Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Be cautious with what’s visible on your screen in public spaces.
• Watch for phishing emails—especially anything demanding urgent payment.
• Keep antivirus software updated and devices locked when unattended.
• Limit access to sensitive data to those who genuinely need it.
• Wipe devices securely before disposal.

If you do suffer a breach, remember: you must report it to the ICO within 72 hours of becoming aware of it.

The ICO’s full guidance is available on its website—and it’s well worth reviewing before your company’s name ends up in the wrong kind of headline.

Categories: Positive Accountant