September 1, 2026
Energy prices set to rise
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 4% increase in the energy price cap for the period covering 1 October to 31 December 2026. This increase reflects higher wholesale gas prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with volatile global gas markets remaining the dominant driver of price changes.
August 27, 2026
Cost of business crisis for British SMEs
UK businesses are facing a “cost of business crisis”, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Its new cost-stack calculator shows government policy alone has pushed up an average firm's expenses by 70% over the past decade, adding roughly £827,000 a year in costs for a typical mid-sized business. About a quarter of the rise stems from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, with the higher minimum wage and mandatory pension auto-enrolment also major contributors.
January 21, 2026
Budget Speculation: Are Tax Rises Looming?
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gave a surprise ‘pre-Budget’ speech last week that appeared to pave the way for tax rises in the Budget on 26 November 2025.
January 21, 2026
Is It Time to Prepare Your Self-Assessment Tax Return?
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been reminding taxpayers that there are now fewer than 100 days left to file their tax return and pay any tax due for the 2024-25 tax year.
January 21, 2026
Directors’ Report Requirement to Be Removed
As part of its move to reduce ‘red tape’ and aid business growth, the government has announced plans to remove the requirement for companies to include a directors’ report as part of their annual accounts.
January 21, 2026
ICO Consultation Opens on New Email and Text Marketing Rules for Charities
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a consultation on how charities can make use of new rules that will allow greater use of electronic marketing in contacting their supporters.
January 21, 2026
Government strengthens regulators’ duty to support business growth
The government has announced a major shake-up in how UK regulators operate, aiming to make them more accountable and more focused on supporting business growth.
January 21, 2026
Bridging Generational Gaps: How to Build a Better Workplace for Everyone
Conversations about Generation Z (those born roughly after 1996) and the workplace tend to generate headlines - perhaps even blaming younger workers for disrupting the traditional norms of office culture.
January 21, 2026
Government borrowing rises in September - what it could mean for businesses ahead of the Budget
Official figures show that UK government borrowing reached £20.2 billion in September - the highest for the month in five years. The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), underline the financial pressures facing the Chancellor as preparations continue for next month’s Budget.
January 21, 2026
New Cyber Toolkit Helps Small Businesses Strengthen Their Defences
Small businesses across the UK are being urged to take simple, practical steps to protect themselves from growing online threats - and a new free toolkit from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) aims to make that much easier.
Our Core Services
Bookkeeping
Stressed out with paperwork? Let Butterworths Accountants take it off your hands. Simply drop off your invoices, bank statements and records, and we will take care of all the processing for you.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
From 6 April 2026, the major change under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA) comes into effect in the UK. This is a significant update to how certain self-employed individuals and landlords report their income to HMRC.
Business start-up
Starting a business is a really exciting time, but we know it is also a very busy time. You will no doubt have your plans in place and the drive to succeed, but you may not be aware of all the financial aspects involved.
Accounting
Butterworths can help reduce the time you spend on admin work, letting you focus on what is really important to your business.
VAT
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax that must be paid when purchasing services or goods. At Butterworths we can help you through the whole VAT process, including:
Payroll
Worried about a PAYE inspection? Butterworths Accountants’ PAYE Healthcheck service is designed to identify PAYE issues before HMRC does.
Tax
Need help with your tax return or want to pay less tax? Butterworths Accountants provide personal tax services for both business owners and private individuals.