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Meacher Jones Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

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Meacher Jones Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

We know that small and medium-sized businesses need a bit more than just an chartered accountant – so we work right alongside you, providing the ‘stepping stones’ to guide you through every stage of growing your business. Whether you’re a business start-up or an established company, or if you’re retiring or selling your business, Meacher-Jones Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers can help bot

h with everyday tasks such as taxation and payroll, through to the more complex issues that keep business owners awake at night.

15/06/2026

A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’.

Concerns were raised about Emma Sleep in 2022 over behaviour that misled shoppers and pressured them into making rushed purchases. This included the use of discounts, countdown clocks and other claims that urgency was required.

Following the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) investigation, Emma Sleep was taken to court in 2024 for failing to take action to address the CMA’s concerns.

Hayley Fletcher, Senior Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA, said, “Businesses should be clear on what the law says: using fake countdown clocks on misleading ‘discounts’ to push people into spending is illegal.”

The case against Emma Sleep commenced prior to the CMA receiving new powers in April 2025 that allow it to decide independently whether the law has been broken, without having to go through courts. It can now fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover and secure refunds for affected customers.

The CMA is determined to use its powers and has launched investigations into 14 businesses to date and has indicated that it is keen to stamp out illegal practices that take advantage of consumers. Hayley Fletcher said, “Our message to businesses is simple - get your house in order or deal with the consequences.”

12/06/2026

A letter to local authorities confirms amendments that the government has made to the eligibility criteria for Supporting Small Business Relief, a scheme available in England.

Eligibility for the relief has been aligned with the treatment of vacancy and reoccupation under Transitional Relief.

Under the updated rules, a change of ratepayer or a period of vacancy after 31 March 2026 will not affect eligibility for the Supporting Small Business Relief scheme. Eligibility will still be lost if the property becomes occupied by a charity or a Community Amateur Sports Club.

The change has been made to reflect the fact that the relief is intended to mitigate business rate bill increases as a result of revaluation. The change has been backdated to 1 April 2026.

08/06/2026

Following its mention in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill has now been put before Parliament.

The Bill introduces measures that are designed to help alleviate some of the difficulties smaller businesses face in getting paid. They include:

• A 60-day cap on payment terms for large businesses paying small suppliers.
• Mandatory interest on late payments. This is to be set at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.
• A prohibition on withholding retention payments in construction contacts.
• New powers for the Small Business Commissioner to be able to investigate businesses that have poor payment practices, arbitrate in disputes and fine persistent late payers.
• A requirement for the boards or audit committees of large companies to publish explanations of late payment performance and what steps are being taken to improve.

Smaller businesses will be keenly watching the Bill’s progress through its Parliamentary processes to see when these measures will come into force.

04/06/2026

The government has announced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer.

VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% between 25 June and 1 September 2026 for qualifying activities as the government tries to ease pressure on household budgets and promote activity for tourist businesses.

The temporary VAT reduction applies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In addition, children in England aged 5-15 will qualify for free bus travel during August.

The dates the relief applies between are set to coincide with the start of the Scottish school summer holiday on 25 June, and the end of the school holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 1 September.

The government expects businesses to lower their prices so that the VAT cut is passed directly on to the customer.

This may require work in updating signage, tills, accounts software and websites to deal with the revised pricing for the summer. However, this may be justified by the increased footfall.

Affected businesses should check how the rules will apply in their specific circumstances. Detailed HMRC guidance is available to help businesses.

See: https://f.mtr.cool/smxbzqlbyw

If you need any help in dealing with the temporary VAT reduction, please feel free to contact us.

01/06/2026

Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are reminding VAT-registered businesses that there is no extension to the statutory due dates when they fall on weekends or bank holidays.

HMRC’s systems do allow for VAT returns to be submitted at weekends or on bank holidays. However, if a business cannot do that, then the return must be submitted by the last working day before the due date. HMRC will not accept weekends or bank holidays as a reason for filing a VAT return late.

It is similar to VAT return payments. When the due date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payment must clear into HMRC’s bank account by the working day before the due date, unless a taxpayer’s bank allows faster payments on weekends and bank holidays.
Missing the due dates for submitting VAT returns and making payments can result in interest and penalties, so it is important to have a good reminder system to ensure the deadline is met.

If you need any help with filing your VAT returns or any other aspect of VAT advice, please do get in touch. We would be happy to help you!

29/05/2026

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published a new blog on questions to ask when using AI models to find vulnerabilities in your IT system.

Cyber criminals are increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their ability to make cyber-attacks. However, AI can also be used by businesses to discover vulnerabilities in their own systems first and shore them up.

Before throwing caution to the wind though, the NCSC recommends considering some important questions. These are:
• What are you trying to achieve by using AI?
• Is using AI the best way to improve security?
• Do I have a process to manage any vulnerabilities that AI finds?
• How should I prioritise vulnerabilities?
• What are the risks when using AI to find vulnerabilities?
• What AI model should I use?
• Where should I start?
• What’s my long-term plan to deal with new AI models?
• Where do I need to invest in people?
• Do I know how everything we develop or use is patched?

To read the blog in full, see: https://f.mtr.cool/ueyoygmfus

27/05/2026

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have reported that 298,905 people filed their Self Assessment tax return in the first week of the tax year, with a record total of 737,891 returns being filed during the month of April 2026.

HMRC are highlighting several benefits to filing early, including:
• Getting a refund sooner if you are due one.
• Reducing stress by avoiding the pressure that comes from filing at the last minute.
• There is no need to pay tax early but knowing how much you owe ahead of time helps with budgeting.
• Any mistakes can be checked and corrected before the deadline.
• A processed tax return can be used as proof of income for mortgage and loan applications or benefit claims.

More than 12 million tax returns are due to be filed by 31 January 2027, so there are still plenty of returns to be filed yet.

If you would like help in preparing and filing your 2025/26 tax return, please do get in touch. We would be happy to help you!

See: https://f.mtr.cool/gzycahcqdk

21/05/2026

Starting 1 July 2026, a fixed customs duty of €3 will be applied to small parcels valued at less than €150 exported to the EU.

The rate will be applied to all goods exported to the EU by non-EU businesses that are registered in the EU’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) for VAT purposes.

Whether the rate will also be applied to goods sold by traders that are not registered in the IOSS remains under review.
The new fixed customs duty is a temporary measure that will stay in place until a permanent solution to eliminate the customs duty relief threshold comes into force. At that time, all goods under €150 will have customs duty applied at the normal EU tariffs for individual products.

A so-called ‘handling fee’ is also under discussion by the EU Council, however, this is separate to these measures.
Government guidance is available on how to register for the VAT IOSS scheme to report and pay VAT due on imports of low-value goods to consumers in the EU, Northern Ireland, or both.

See: https://f.mtr.cool/stsujtmauj

18/05/2026

A visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) resulted in a Cheshire-based scrap metal business being fined £1,000 plus costs of £2,000 for failing to have employers’ liability insurance in place.

Employers are legally required to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment. It is a compulsory insurance for businesses in Britain and Northern Ireland.

HSE principal inspector Emily Osborne said: “[Employers’ liability insurance] is not a trivial optional extra, it is a compulsory requirement that is designed solely to protect employees.”

A free guide is available from HSE that provides information about employers’ liability insurance in England, Scotland and Wales and who needs to have it. HSENI, the health and safety body for Northern Ireland, also have guidance available.

See: https://f.mtr.cool/arszsbczxp

14/05/2026

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have reported that 161 pubs closed across the country in the first three months of 2026. It is estimated that this has led to the loss of 2,400 jobs. Scotland has been the most heavily affected, with 41 closures between January and March.

The BBPA have called for longer-term changes, including an overhaul of taxes affecting the hospitality industry.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and tax costs. We want to work with government to establish a permanent long-term plan that will deliver permanently lower bills, a fairer system and ultimately protect this treasured sector.”

A 15% relief on business rates for pubs came into effect in April 2026 and will be followed by a two-year freeze. A government spokesman also noted extended opening hours for the World Cup and alcohol duty cuts on draught pints as part of the support that is currently being offered.

However, increased employment costs and shifting consumer habits continue to make trade challenging for many pub businesses.
If your business is under pressure by tax or other costs, getting early advice can make a big difference to your options. Please feel free to contact us; we would be happy to help you.

See: https://f.mtr.cool/gosnnomagu

Address

6 St John's Court Vicars Lane
Chester
CH11QE

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441244401001

Website

http://www.meacher-jones.com/

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