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.
July 1, 2026
Business leaders want government to prioritise EU relationships
As the tenth anniversary of the Brexit vote passes, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has published research revealing a shift in business sentiment towards the European Union.
June 29, 2026
Inexpensive TV advertising available for SMEs
Comcast’s Universal Ads has launched in the UK in partnership with Channel 4, ITV and Sky. It is a self-service platform that opens TV advertising up to Small to Medium-Sized (SMEs) businesses at a more affordable cost.
June 25, 2026
Watch out, watch out, HMRC’s about
“Owners of dodgy shops that are evading tax: we are coming for you,” said Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, as he announced that HMRC will make 30,000 high-street ‘interventions’ in the coming year as part of an initiative to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity.
June 24, 2026
Mandatory payrolling now to be phased in
The announcement of mandatory payrolling for Benefits In Kind was originally expected to start in April 2027, but following industry pressure, it will now be introduced in two phases.
June 22, 2026
High energy bills force a quarter of UK manufacturers abroad
One in four of Britain’s manufacturers has moved production abroad or is seriously considering it, according to research by Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers' Federation.
June 18, 2026
Delayed payments and rising costs see Britain’s builders tottering on collapse
A new report has concluded that late payments and rising costs are crippling Britain’s construction sector. Firms already in or at risk of financial distress make up more than eight in ten companies.
June 17, 2026
Companies House to bring in changes to accounts filing from April 2028
Companies House will introduce changes to accounts filing due to governmental reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act 2023).
June 15, 2026
AI chatbot for government queries
The government has made a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool available on the GOV.UK app called GOV.UK Chat. It draws on official government guidance, including tax, to answer questions.
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.