Accountancy & Business News | Beaumont Seymour

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High energy bills force a quarter of UK manufacturers abroad

One in four of Britain’s manufacturers has moved production abroad or is seriously considering it, according to research by Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers' Federation.

Delayed payments and rising costs see Britain’s builders tottering on collapse

A new report has concluded that late payments and rising costs are crippling Britain’s construction sector. Firms already in or at risk of financial distress make up more than eight in ten companies.

Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028

Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023).

AI chatbot for government queries

The government has made a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool available on the GOV.UK app called GOV.UK Chat. It draws on official government guidance, including tax, to answer questions.

Amendments made to 2026 Supporting Small Business Relief

A letter to local authorities confirms amendments that the government has made to the eligibility criteria for Supporting Small Business Relief, a scheme available in England.

Pressure selling tactics ruled to be illegal

A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’.

Why every growing business needs a business plan

You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business.

Temporary VAT reduction on children’s meals, tickets and family attractions

The government has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer.

Companies House and the IPO warn about fake payment requests

Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are asking businesses to take special care of misleading requests for payment sent by fraudulent organisations.

Late payment legislation laid before Parliament

Following its mention in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill has now been put before Parliament.

UK unemployment rises to 5% but inflation drops to 2.8%

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment rate in the three months to March 2026 has risen to 5% from 4.9%.

HMRC introduces targeted advance assurance service for R&D claims

Originally proposed in last autumn’s Budget, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have introduced a targeted advance assurance service for Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims. The service, which is a pilot, aims to provide businesses with clarity on complex or high-risk areas before they make a claim.

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