Author: Neil Dando

External capital can accelerate product development, hiring, international expansion, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). It can also help you professionalise reporting and governance, supporting sustainable growth. The trade-off is dilution and a closer relationship with investors who will expect evidence-based plans, transparent financials and measurable milestones. Before you start any process, be clear about: what…

The UK Government has announced a new plan to support small businesses, with a wide-ranging set of measures designed to tackle long-standing challenges and drive growth. The UK Government has announced a new plan to support small businesses, with a wide-ranging set of measures designed to tackle long-standing challenges and drive growth. The Chartered Institute…

Construction output saw its steepest fall since May 2020, according to the latest S&P Global Market Intelligence survey. The UK construction sector suffered its sharpest downturn since the early days of the Covid pandemic, as housebuilding activity collapsed in July. The sector’s purchasing managers index (PMI) dropped from 48.8 in June to 44.3 in July,…

UK employers have reduced annual pay increases and scaled back hiring as the economic slowdown affects the jobs market. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for the three months to June shows unemployment increased, though the unemployment rate remained 4.7%,  the highest in four years. Average earnings growth, including bonuses, fell from 5% to 4.6%.…

HMRC has launched a letter campaign for companies that may have miscalculated corporation tax marginal relief on their returns. Any business receiving a letter must reply within 30 days, even if it believes its return is correct. Ignoring the letter could lead to a compliance check and potential penalties. The campaign focuses on companies with…

Inflation may have retreated from the double-digit heights of 2022, but at 3.4% on the CPI measure for May 2025 it still erodes the real value of every pound you hold. Put another way, if prices keep rising at the current pace, an item that costs £1,000 today will set you back about £1,034 this…

Selling or passing on your business is one of the biggest financial events you will ever face. The decision to step away from a company you have built carries significant cash, tax and lifestyle consequences. With the right groundwork, you can structure the deal to meet your goals, move funds into vehicles that match your…

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned that the UK jobs market is showing signs of slowing as employers react to higher national insurance contributions (NICs). Speaking at a London British Chambers of Commerce event, Bailey said businesses are beginning to scale back hiring and curb pay rises in response to the increased costs.…

Energy bills are falling for around 21 million households in England, Scotland and Wales. Regulator Ofgem has lowered the price cap, cutting the typical dual-fuel bill by 7%, or £11 a month. This brings the average annual bill for a household using a standard amount of gas and electricity to £1,720. However, this drop comes…

Under a proposed change to UK employment law, employers will no longer be allowed to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent workers from speaking out about sexual misconduct or discrimination in the workplace. An amendment to the Employment Rights Bill would render confidentiality clauses void if they attempt to stop individuals from disclosing allegations of…

According to new research by the Centre for Cities think tank, reviving struggling UK high streets could cost up to £5 billion. The report highlights stark regional differences in retail health, with cities like Bradford, Newport and Blackpool facing shop vacancy rates more than double those in London. The study argues that reforming the “flawed”…

Many parents and carers want to give children a solid financial base, yet feel unsure where to begin. The UK tax system offers several wrappers and allowances designed for minors, each with different rules on access, tax treatment and contribution levels. Saving for a child is not just about handing over a lump sum at…

Early HMRC information shows UK payrolled employment fell by 109,000 (-0.4%) in May 2025, the sharpest monthly decline for four years. The drop pushed the unemployment rate up to 4.6%, its highest level since April 2021. Economists have highlighted the 1.2 percentage point rise in employer National Insurance – from 13.8% to 15% on 6…

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects UK economic growth to be slower than previously forecast. The Paris-based body has revised its UK growth forecast for 2025 from 1.4% to 1.3% and cut its 2026 estimate from 1.2% to just 1%. The downgrade follows a broader fall in global growth expectations, primarily driven…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reversed last year’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments, confirming that pensioners in England and Wales with taxable incomes of £35,000 or less will again receive the benefit from this autumn. Pensioners aged 67-79 will be paid £200, while over-80s will receive £300. Scotland and Northern Ireland run separate schemes. The…

Diversification spreads risk across different assets, markets and tax wrappers. It helps private investors smooth returns instead of relying on a single share, fund or property. The principle is simple: assets rarely move in perfect sync, so setbacks in one area may be offset by steadier performance elsewhere. A balanced portfolio is therefore less exposed…

Exports already account for around 30% of UK gross domestic product (GDP), and the government wants that share to rise further by helping more small firms sell overseas. In the 2024 Autumn Statement, ministers renewed the goal of lifting UK exports to £1 trillion a year by 2030. Although the headline target often makes the…

Unemployment has risen to 4.5%, the highest level since summer 2021. The figure covers the first quarter of 2025 and marks a 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. The rise in joblessness is based on data from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Labour Force Survey, which has faced heavy criticism due to…