Bytheway & Co Accountants and Business Advisors

28/10/2026

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 22 September 2026 showed the UK borrowed £18.3 billion in August 2026, up £2.9 billion on the same month last year.

Increased debt levels were partly attributed to the impacts of inflation causing a greater increase in spending than receipts received from taxes and elsewhere. Overall borrowing in the financial year to August 2026 was £77.3 billion, £2.2 billion less than the same period last year but £8.1 billion above the OBR forecast in March.

Nick Redpath, Research Economist at the Institute of Fiscal Studies warned against reading too much into any one set of monthly figures due to revisions being commonly made but stated:
'Both higher borrowing costs and higher inflation make life harder for a Chancellor who is looking to bring down borrowing and to spend more on government priorities.'

26/10/2026

Key UK accounting and tax deadlines for November 2026 include:

• 1 November 2026: Corporation Tax due for companies with an accounting period ended 31 January 2026 (unless paying by instalments).
• 2 November 2026: Due date for P46 car forms and employment intermediary reports.
• 7 November 2026:
• VAT returns and payments due for standard quarterly accounting periods ended 30 September 2026.
• Second quarterly update due under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) for the 2026–27 tax year (cumulative period 6 April to 5 October).
• 14 November 2026: Corporation Tax quarterly instalment payments due for large and very large companies.
• 18 November 2026: Final deadline for existing company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) to complete identity verification with Companies House.
• 19 November 2026:
• PAYE and National Insurance (NIC) deductions for the month ended 5 November 2026 (if paying by post).
• CIS300 monthly Construction Industry Scheme return filing deadline.
• CIS tax deductions for the month ended 5 November 2026 (if paying by post).
• 22 November 2026: Electronic payment deadline for monthly PAYE, NIC, and CIS deductions (for the month ended 5 November 2026).
• 30 November 2026:
• Corporation Tax return submission deadline for companies with an accounting period ended 30 November 2025.
• Filing deadline for annual accounts at Companies House for private companies with an accounting period ended 28 February 2026.
• Inheritance Tax due for deaths or transfers occurring in May 2026.

Require more help on any of the above? Simply contact our team today on (01902) 675243(01902) 675243

23/10/2026

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their latest estimates of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity, and other employment-related statistics for the UK.

Pay growth in the private sector fell to 2.9% in the three months to July, equalling the lowest rate since October 2020. The equivalent figure for the public sector was 6.3% largely driven by the timing of NHS pay settlements.

Under the triple lock, state pensions will grow by the highest of average wage growth, inflation or 2.5%. Whilst the inflation figure will not be confirmed until next month, it is unlikely to exceed the average wage growth released today of 3.9% giving pensioners a boost from next April.

Unemployment remained at 4.9% reflecting the continued pressure on businesses.

21/10/2026

On 28 September 2026, John Healey delivered his first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Labour Party Conference identifying 'Backing Britain' as one of his main priorities. Business was identified as being of key importance and the speech recognised the impact that cost pressures could have on growth.

Jobs for young people was a central message. The National Wealth Fund will be used to create and support a further 130,000 jobs including expanding local apprenticeship services and restoring the Union Learning Fund to help people build new skills and adapt to changes such as the increasing role of AI.

The speech also focused on industrial growth. As well as the previously announced funding for British shipyards, the wider package or economic plans linked to the speech proposed that more flexible funding could be issued to buyers from certain countries to incentivise buying British.

19/10/2026

Tax investigations cause unexpected and unwanted bills. With the government promising HMRC a further £800m to pursue non-compliance and tax evasion, large numbers of businesses and individuals will be affected by this compliance activity.

Our Tax Investigations Service is designed to provide clients with protection against the representation costs of an enquiry. If selected for an investigation, we will defend you and aim to resolve the matter within the shortest possible timeframe.

Find out more at bythewayaccountants.co.uk

16/10/2026

David Rosenberg, a top economist and the president of Rosenberg Research, said he thinks the US economy could be on track to tip into a serious contraction sometime in 2027, ending its defiantly strong run over the past several years. That's because the US looks poised to run out of two sources of dry powder that have been key to staving off a recession: large fiscal stimulus and the billions being poured into AI, he told Business Insider in an interview.

Top economist David Rosenberg sees a "very significant" US recession once fiscal stimulus dries up and AI-related capex starts to wane.

14/10/2026

The average interest rate on a new five-year fixed mortgage deal has hit 6% for the first time in three years, figures show.

The cost of home loans has been rising in recent weeks, as lenders face higher costs amid international concern over rising prices, interest rates, and government borrowing costs.

It means home buyers and anyone renewing a fixed deal have seen about 1,500 mortgage deals priced below 5% vanish since the start of September, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts.

Read more -

The cost of a new fixed-rate mortgage has been rising in recent weeks as lenders face higher costs.

12/10/2026

Payroll can quickly become one of the most time-consuming parts of running a business, particularly as reporting requirements and employment obligations continue to evolve. Bytheway Accountants can take that pressure away with a reliable, professional payroll service tailored to the size and needs of your business.

From regular payroll processing and payslips to RTI submissions, pension requirements and wider HMRC compliance, our team helps ensure everything is handled accurately and on time. Whether you want to outsource payroll completely or simply need additional support, we can provide a practical, cost-effective solution that frees up your time to focus on running your business.

Find out more at bythewayaccountants.co.uk.

09/10/2026

The UK economy entered “uncharted territory” on Monday battling an assortment of financial pressures as fears intensified ahead of the next Budget.

Diesel costs surged to a record high of 199.18p per litre marking the latest energy shock on the UK economy. Stations were registered as charging 199.18p per litre, according to the RAC. The automotive firm said the price jump reflected “just how exposed the UK is to events occuring far away”.

Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – also tipped above $96 per barrel after a four per cent jump on Monday morning. This followed renewed uncertainty around peace between the US and Iran after Trump rejected a proposal that sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK economy was facing a fresh round of pressures on Monday after borrowing costs surged higher and the price of diesel reached a record.

07/10/2026

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has set out a three-point plan for the new government.

According to the BCC, Prime Minister Andy Burnham must focus on trade, investment and productivity to support businesses and help the UK economy thrive.

Ensuring that firms have the confidence to invest is essential if they are to expand, create more jobs and adopt new technologies, the BCC said. However, too many businesses face barriers that hold back long-term investment decisions.

The business group has urged the government to create the conditions that encourage investment.
It also called for a full commitment to a fully funded, multi-year workforce plan for the UK planning service to enable increased development, more jobs and stronger local economies.

The BCC called for an acceleration in infrastructure delivery and improved access to supply chains in order to maximise the economic returns from investment, and for the government to reduce unnecessary burdens that increase costs.