Almost £2m of laptops and phones have been lost by HMRC
A freedom of information request made to HMRC has revealed that its staff has lost almost £2 million worth of laptops and mobile phones since 2021. Over 3,500 devices have been reported as lost, including 507 laptops and…
Is there VAT on public transport?
Clients often ask us what VAT is applied to public transport, and what they can claim back on their VAT returns as input VAT. The short answer is, usually nothing. Trains and buses Trains and public buses are…
New verification rules for company directors incoming
There are new security verification rules coming into effect for companies and directors from 18 November 2025. From that date, all new directors and PSCs (persons with significant control) will have to verify their identity before appointment, or…
AI being used by HMRC to scan social media for suspected tax cheats
HMRC has confirmed that it is using AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to scan the social media accounts of suspected tax fraudsters as part of their drive to increase the use of AI in the tax system. Up until…
Businesses urged to stay on top of employment law to avoid costly cases
Research conducted by law firm Birketts has found that the burden of dealing with employment cases is on the rise, with employers spending more than a month of their time dealing with new claims. Unfair dismissal cases accounted…
Government to give HMRC £500m to boost AI
In an effort to increase its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, HMRC is to receive £500m from the Government to invest in a new AI digital assistant that should hopefully reduce phone line traffic and wait times. Called ‘Ask…
Study suggests weight loss jabs could benefit the UK economy by over £4 billion
A new study carried out by the European Congress on Obesity based in Spain suggests that giving weight loss jabs to everyone who is eligible for them could increase the UK economy by £4.5 billion. In England 26.5%…
Staying cool at work: Our top ten tips
The sun is shining (finally), the beer gardens are full and public transport is even more unbearable than usual. British summertime is finally here! Here are our top ten tips on how to stay cool in the work…
HMRC triples its CGT investigations to target amateur traders and crypto users
HMRC has tripled its investigations into capital gains tax (CGT), with an extra £202.4 million of tax pulled in. Capital gains tax is levied against profits on the disposal of capital assets such as second homes, share holdings,…
HMRC phone lines have been criticised as not up to the job
It will come as little surprise to anyone who has had to call HMRC in the last six months, but a report by the Public Accounts Committee has stated that HMRC was running a “deliberately poor” phone service…