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💷 Millions of People Could Be Under-Saving for RetirementA new report from the Pensions Commission has highlighted growi...
01/06/2026

💷 Millions of People Could Be Under-Saving for Retirement

A new report from the Pensions Commission has highlighted growing concerns around retirement savings in the UK.

Key findings include:
✔ 15 million people may not be saving enough for retirement
✔ 45% of working-age adults are not paying into a pension at all
✔ Only 1 in 25 self-employed workers are actively saving for retirement
✔ Many people are accessing pension pots early and spending them quickly

The report warns that without action, future retirees could be financially worse off than today’s pensioners.

💡 Retirement planning isn’t just about pensions — it’s about understanding your long-term financial goals and building a sustainable plan around them.

If you’d like support reviewing your retirement savings or long-term financial plans, we’re here to help.

Read more on our blog here - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/pensions-commission-warns-millions-are-under-saving-for-retirement/

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🔬 HMRC Launches New Advance Assurance Service for R&D Tax Relief ClaimsHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has introduced a new ...
29/05/2026

🔬 HMRC Launches New Advance Assurance Service for R&D Tax Relief Claims

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has introduced a new targeted advance assurance service for Research & Development (R&D) tax relief claims.

The pilot scheme aims to give businesses clarity on complex or higher-risk areas before they submit a claim.

Businesses may now be able to get advance assurance on:
✔ Whether work qualifies as R&D
✔ Overseas R&D expenditure
✔ Contracted R&D work
✔ PAYE/NIC cap exemptions

The service is available to eligible SMEs and will run as a pilot until May 2027.

💡 While advance assurance can provide greater certainty, businesses still need to submit their R&D claims in the usual way.

If you’d like support with R&D tax relief or understanding whether your project may qualify, we’re here to help.

Read more on our blog, here - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/hmrc-launches-new-targeted-advance-assurance-service-for-rd-tax-relief-claims/

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🏡 Consultation Opens on New High Value Council Tax SurchargeThe government has launched a consultation on the proposed H...
27/05/2026

🏡 Consultation Opens on New High Value Council Tax Surcharge

The government has launched a consultation on the proposed High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS), expected to come into force in England from April 2028.

The surcharge would apply to residential properties worth £2 million or more and would be charged in addition to existing Council Tax.

Key proposals include:
✔ Properties split into value bands
✔ Revaluations every 5 years
✔ Owners — not occupiers — responsible for payment
✔ Possible additional charges for non-UK resident owners
✔ Deferral schemes for eligible individuals

It’s estimated the surcharge would affect less than 1% of properties, but property owners, trustees and landlords may want to keep a close eye on how the rules develop.

📅 The consultation runs until 14 July 2026.

If you’d like advice on property ownership, tax planning or how future tax changes could affect you, we’re here to help.

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🍺 Pub Closures Continue as Rising Costs Hit HospitalityThe British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has reported that 161...
20/05/2026

🍺 Pub Closures Continue as Rising Costs Hit Hospitality

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has reported that 161 pubs closed during the first three months of 2026, with an estimated 2,400 jobs lost.

Scotland was the hardest hit, with 41 closures between January and March.

The BBPA says many pubs are still attracting customers — but rising costs and what they describe as a “disproportionate tax burden” are wiping out profits.

Current pressures facing pubs include:
✔ Higher employment costs
✔ Rising operating expenses
✔ Changing consumer habits
✔ Ongoing tax pressures

While business rates relief and other support measures have been introduced, many businesses across hospitality are still finding conditions challenging.

💡 If rising costs are putting pressure on your business, seeking advice early can help you understand your options and plan ahead.

Read more - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/rising-costs-continue-to-pressure-uk-pubs-and-hospitality-businesses/

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📈 What Could Happen to Interest Rates in 2026?The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is creating uncertainty around inf...
18/05/2026

📈 What Could Happen to Interest Rates in 2026?

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is creating uncertainty around inflation and interest rates across the UK economy.

The Bank of England has currently kept interest rates at 3.75%, but rising energy prices could still push inflation higher later this year.

The Bank has outlined several possible scenarios 👇

✔ Energy prices rise briefly, then settle
✔ Inflation stays higher for longer
✔ Or, in the worst case, inflation rises above 6%, potentially leading to further interest rate increases

💡 Even without official rate rises yet, many mortgage and loan rates have already increased based on market expectations.

For businesses and households alike, cash flow planning remains more important than ever.

Read more - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/what-could-happen-to-uk-interest-rates-in-2026/

If you’d like help forecasting the impact of changing interest rates on your finances or business, we’re here to help.

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💷 Credit Control: One of the Most Important Parts of Running a BusinessMany businesses don’t struggle because they’re un...
15/05/2026

💷 Credit Control: One of the Most Important Parts of Running a Business

Many businesses don’t struggle because they’re unprofitable — they struggle because cash isn’t arriving quickly enough.

That’s where good credit control matters 👇

✔ Agree payment terms before work starts
✔ Send invoices promptly
✔ Chase overdue invoices consistently
✔ Review outstanding debts regularly
✔ Spot payment problems early

A single late-paying customer can put real pressure on cash flow, especially for smaller businesses.

💡 Good credit control isn’t about being difficult — it’s about making sure the work you’ve completed actually turns into cash.

If you’d like help reviewing your credit control systems or improving cash flow management, we’re here to help.

Read more at - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/credit-control-the-quiet-discipline-that-keeps-businesses-alive/

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📧 New Data Law Changes Could Help Charities Reach More SupportersNew guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office...
13/05/2026

📧 New Data Law Changes Could Help Charities Reach More Supporters

New guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) explains how charities can now contact supporters more easily under updated data protection rules.

Under the new “charitable purposes soft opt-in” rules, charities may be able to send marketing emails, texts and social media messages without obtaining consent first — provided certain safeguards are followed.

✔ Applies to people who have shown interest in supporting the charity
✔ Covers emails, texts and social media direct messages
✔ Strict rules and protections still apply

The changes could create new opportunities for:
💡 Fundraising
💡 Supporter engagement
💡 Charity communications

If your charity is unsure how these new rules affect your communications or compliance responsibilities, we’re here to help.

Read more - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/new-ico-guidance-on-charity-marketing-what-the-soft-opt-in-rules-mean/

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♻️ Digital Waste Tracking Is ComingA new Digital Waste Tracking service is being introduced across the UK to replace pap...
11/05/2026

♻️ Digital Waste Tracking Is Coming

A new Digital Waste Tracking service is being introduced across the UK to replace paper-based waste tracking systems.

The aim? To tackle waste crime and create a real-time audit trail for permitted waste.

The new system will:
✔ Track waste movements digitally
✔ Reduce paperwork for legitimate operators
✔ Help authorities crack down on rogue waste activity
✔ Improve transparency across the industry

📅 Key dates:
• October 2026 – England, Wales & Northern Ireland
• January 2027 – Scotland

The rules will first apply to around 12,000 permitted waste receiving sites before expanding further across the industry.

💡 If your business operates within the waste sector, now is a good time to start preparing for the move to digital reporting.

Read more - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/digital-waste-tracking-uk-what-businesses-need-to-know/

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🚀 Starting a Business? Think About Growth From Day OneLaunching a business is exciting — but building one that can grow ...
08/05/2026

🚀 Starting a Business? Think About Growth From Day One

Launching a business is exciting — but building one that can grow sustainably takes more than just a good idea.

A few things worth thinking about early on:

✔ What problem are you actually solving?
✔ Are you keeping a close eye on cash flow?
✔ Could the business run without you?
✔ What kind of team and culture do you want to build?
✔ Are you tracking the right numbers?

The decisions you make in year one can shape how easy growth becomes later on.

Read more about it on our blog post - https://ojwassociates.co.uk/starting-a-business-what-to-think-about-now-to-grow-later/

💡 Want help getting started?

📞 01527 368220
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💼 Profitable Business… But Still Feel Financially Uncertain?It’s more common than you think.Many business owners are doi...
06/05/2026

💼 Profitable Business… But Still Feel Financially Uncertain?

It’s more common than you think.

Many business owners are doing well on paper, but still feel unsure about their personal financial position.

Why? Because money often ends up spread across:

✔ Pensions (old and new)
✔ Savings and investments
✔ Cash in the business
✔ Property and borrowing
✔ Future business value

💡 The result? It’s hard to see the full picture.

A few simple steps can make a big difference:

✔ Get everything in one place
✔ Give each pot of money a clear purpose
✔ Review old assumptions and plans

Clarity brings confidence — and helps you make better decisions for the future.

If you’d like help pulling everything together and planning ahead, we’re here to help.

📞 01527 368220
📧 [email protected]

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