New guidance highlights the mental health impact of late payments, but freelancers say enforcement — not wellbeing advice — is what’s really needed.
Category: News
Stay informed with the latest UK self-employed news, small-business policy changes, tax updates and freelancer market trends.
NatWest targets 50,000 founders as more small businesses look for support beyond funding
NatWest aims to expand its Accelerator community to 50,000 UK founders in 2026, offering mentoring, peer networks and practical support beyond funding.
Electricians and welders set to be UK’s highest-earning trades in 2026, research finds
New research shows electricians and welders will lead UK trade salaries in 2026, with average earnings rivaling national pay levels.
Most self-employed and freelancers failing to save for retirement, Aviva finds
Fewer than four in ten self-employed workers and freelancers are saving for retirement, according to Aviva, with low awareness of pension options leaving many exposed later in life.
Eight days left to file self assessment as HMRC warns of automatic £100 penalty
HMRC is urging taxpayers to file their self assessment tax return before the 31 January deadline, warning late filers face an automatic £100 fine and further penalties.
January tax windfall set to boost HMRC coffers amid self-assessment rush
HMRC is set for a January tax windfall driven by the self-assessment deadline and employee bonuses, with advisers warning rising receipts are being fuelled by tax rises and fiscal drag.
Tax returns driving regret as self-employed Brits rethink going solo
New research shows tax stress is pushing self-employed Brits to delay filing, pay fines and even reconsider working for themselves.
New EU customs duties set to hit UK small businesses, warns BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce warns new EU customs charges on low-value parcels from July 2026 will hit UK small businesses and squeeze margins.
5,500 small businesses demand urgent review of business rates in open letter to Reeves
More than 5,500 UK small businesses have written to Rachel Reeves warning that April 2026 business rates changes could force widespread closures without urgent review.
Small business owners warn of a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures heading into 2026
UK small business owners warn that 2026 could bring a perfect storm of rising costs, new employment rules and AI disruption, pushing firms to automate or outsource.
Nearly 900,000 self-employed Brits fear they won’t afford their January tax bill
Almost one in five self-employed people in the UK expect to struggle to pay their Self Assessment tax bill this month, underlining the mounting financial pressure facing sole traders and freelancers at the start of 2026.
IoD: confidence lifts slightly, but small businesses are still hitting pause on hiring and investment
Confidence rose slightly in December, but sole traders and microbusinesses are still freezing hiring and delaying investment, IoD data shows.
Hospitality shift hours fall 30% as small operators cut back to survive rising costs
Hospitality shift hours are down 30% since 2022 as small pubs, cafés and owner-operators cut staff to survive rising costs.
£10m clawed back for small firms as commissioner steps up late payment action
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has helped recover £10m in overdue invoices since 2017, including more than £500,000 in December alone, as late payments continue to hit UK SMEs.
‘A gamechanger’: 200,000 UK small businesses sign up to TikTok Shop
More than 200,000 UK small businesses are now selling via TikTok Shop, with major brands including M&S and Sainsbury’s also using the platform as in-app shopping reshapes retail.
