http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk en-us Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:12:11 +0100 Rocketspark http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26387/what-the-uks-energy-reforms-mean-for-businesses/ For years, British households and businesses have lived with an uncomfortable truth: even as the country has expanded its renewable energy capacity, electricity prices have remained stubbornly tied to the global gas market.  When international gas prices surge - whether due to conflict, supply disruption or geopolitical tension - UK electricity bills rise in tandem.Now, the Government has announced what it describes as “decisive action” to break this link.  At the same time, BBC Ne... Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:36:52 +0100 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26387 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26295/uk-economic-update/ The start of 2026 has brought unexpected challenges for UK households and businesses alike.  Despite a fragile ceasefire now in place following the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, the economic "aftershocks" are being felt across the High Street and in the domestic budgets of millions.  For clients of our accountancy practice, understanding these shifts is vital for effective planning and resilience.A Sharp Dip in Consumer ConfidenceAccording to the BBC, recent data from the ... Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:24:45 +0100 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26295 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26167/hmrc-changes-to-income-tax-filing/ The UK tax system has been undergoing a major transformation.  One of the latest changes has been the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD), HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) long-term initiative to modernise the UK’s tax administration system by 2030.  HMRC’s objective is to move toward a system in which individuals and businesses are increasingly required to keep and submit tax data digitally, and closer to when the transactions occur.MTD is being introduced gradually for diffe... Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:50:02 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26167 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26131/taking-company-profit-via-dividends/ In the oak-panelled boardrooms of the City of London and the studios of Silicon Fen, the same corporate structure underpins ambition: the private limited company.  It offers protection, credibility and tax planning flexibility.  Yet for many owner-directors, the move from employee to office-holder introduces a level of statutory responsibility that is often underestimated.Few areas illustrate this better than dividends, and, in particular, the importance of getting the paperwork right.... Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:20:38 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26131 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26075/the-future-of-uk-interest-rates/ The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 3.75% on 5 February.  This decision followed a closely divided vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), with five votes in favour and four against.  While a change was not widely expected after December’s reduction, the Bank’s latest comments suggest that further cuts are becoming more likely later this year.Governor Andrew Bailey told the BBC that the current economic backdrop was “encouraging”, but said more evidence of... Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:59:09 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26075 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/26047/sipps-explained/ Self‑Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) have become an increasingly popular way for people to take more control over how their retirement savings are invested.  But with that flexibility comes a need to fully understand how SIPPs work, the tax advantages on offer, and the responsibilities involved in managing them.  As an accountancy firm, we regularly help clients understand whether a SIPP is right for them, how to maximise tax efficiency, and how to avoid pitfalls that could impact... Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:51:27 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post26047 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/25920/contracts-and-legal-basics/ Contracts and legal paperwork don’t usually feel urgent.  But in 2026, doing the legal basics properly matters more than ever.New employment rules, growing use of AI, and tighter expectations around business relationships mean that unclear or outdated documents can cause problems quickly.  This is not about doing everything at once or trying to be perfect.  It’s about keeping things simple, organised and realistic. Done little and often, legal housekeeping becomes a support fo... Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:58:16 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post25920 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/25905/preparing-for-2026/ By early 2026, a number of long-announced policy changes will move from consultation into practice.   Employment rules tighten, reporting obligations expand, and the lingering effects of inflation continue to influence financial choices.   Individually, these changes may seem modest; together, they will alter how people work, trade, borrow and plan.  There is still time to prepare, but the window is closing.... Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:33:54 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post25905 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/25856/uk-policy-changes-for-2026/ By early 2026, a number of long-announced policy changes will move from consultation into practice.  Employment rules tighten, reporting obligations expand, and the lingering effects of inflation continue to influence financial choices.  Individually, these changes may seem modest; together, they will alter how people work, trade, borrow and plan.  There is still time to prepare, but the window is closing.Work and EmploymentA significant package of employment reforms takes effect ... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:52:12 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post25856 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/post/25786/business-year-review/ As 2025 draws to a close, the Chancellor’s November Statement has been absorbed by the market, and attention has shifted to the operational realities facing UK businesses in 2026.  For SMEs, the most valuable asset this winter is not seasonal demand but clarity on economic conditions, regulatory changes, and consumer behaviour in the year ahead. Interest Rates: Signs of Gradual EasingThe Bank of England’s August decision to reduce the base rate to 4% provided moderate relief to bor... Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:06:17 +0000 http://www.blog.atnpartnership.co.uk/blog/#post25786