Monthly Archives: April 2026

New rights to sick pay and parental leave for millions of workers

The UK government has introduced significant employment law reforms that expand access to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and parental leave rights. These measures represent one of the most substantial updates to workplace protections in recent years and are intended to support employees facing illness or family responsibilities, while helping to create a more flexible and […]

When does a hobby become a business

Many people start an activity as a hobby, perhaps selling handmade goods online, offering occasional services, or generating small amounts of additional income from spare capacity. Over time, what begins as a leisure pursuit can evolve into something that looks increasingly commercial. This raises an important question, when does a hobby become a business for […]

Price gouging and the governments new response

Recent global instability, particularly tensions affecting oil and energy supply chains, has increased concerns about price gouging, where businesses take advantage of shortages or uncertainty to impose unjustified price increases. In response, the UK government has announced new measures intended to protect consumers and ensure markets continue to operate fairly. Price gouging generally occurs when […]

Companies House blunder

A Companies House blunder has raised concerns after a flaw in the WebFiling service briefly exposed sensitive company data. The issue, identified on 13 March 2026, meant that a logged-in user could potentially access and amend limited details of another company by carrying out a specific sequence of actions. Companies House has stated that this […]

Paying yourself vs. reinvesting in your business: how do you get the balance right?

Your business has had a decent quarter. The bank balance looks healthier than it did six months ago. And you find yourself asking: do I pay myself more, or do I put this back into the business? It’s a question almost every business owner faces. Pay yourself too little and you’re effectively working for free, […]