20th March 2026 – Hillmans Weekly Update

Welcome to our latest round-up of the latest business and tax news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect you. We are here to support you!

Have a great weekend.

Kind regards,
 
Steve
 
Steven Hillman BSc (Hons) FCA
Chartered Accountant
Tel: 01934 444100
https://www.hillmans.co.uk

MAKING TAX DIGITAL FOR INCOME TAX
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax is the new regime for self-employed individuals and landlords that will start to apply from April 2026 if they have business and/or property income (i.e. total takings, not net profits) of more than £50,000 per annum. The regime requires digital record-keeping and quarterly updates to HMRC, with the first such update due by 7 August 2026.

Last month, HMRC published a press release to confirm that the changes will affect 860,000 individuals. They are keen to encourage action now and to highlight the benefits of spreading tax compliance administration throughout the tax year.

If you are one of the 860,000 individuals moving into the new regime from April 2026, HMRC are also keen to stress that a normal annual tax return will still be required for the tax year to 5 April 2026. This means that in addition to providing HMRC with quarterly updates on the year to 5 April 2027 during that tax year, your annual 2025/26 tax return will still need to be filed by 31 January 2027.

We are already working behind the scenes on a new solution to support our clients through the transition to MTD and will be sharing more details soon

OVERPAYMENT RELIEF FROM HMRC
If you have paid too much tax, perhaps because you made an error on a return, or because you believe a sum determined by HMRC as being due is incorrect, there is a general rule that a refund cannot be claimed more than 4 years after the end of the relevant tax year. For example, a refund claim in relation to the 2021/22 tax year would need to be made by 5 April 2026.

However, if you do believe you’ve paid too much tax in the past, you may be able to claim it back through a mechanism known as “overpayment relief”. This is a formal claim made to HMRC, and it serves as a vital safety net. Understandably, HMRC checks on any such claims are thorough and a number get rejected.
HMRC has recently updated its guidance to help individuals successfully claim back any tax monies owed. In particular, overpayment relief claims must be made in writing and must state:

• that the claim is for overpayment relief
• the tax year for which the claimant thinks they have paid too much tax, or too much tax has been assessed
• why too much tax has been paid or assessed
• how much has been overpaid or over-assessed
• if an appeal has, or has not, been previously made for the same payment or assessment (the term “appeal” must be used)

The claim must also include a declaration saying the details given are correct and complete to the best of the information and belief of the person making the claim and it must be signed by them personally.

Undertaking the right steps in the right order is critical and we would be pleased to support with this, should you believe you have paid too much tax.

ADVISORY FUEL RATES FOR COMPANY CARS
HMRC have published new advisory fuel rates from 1 March 2026. These are the suggested reimbursement rates for employees' private mileage using their company car. Where the employer does not pay for any fuel for the company car, these are the amounts that can be reimbursed in respect of business journeys without the amount being taxable on the employee.

The petrol, diesel and home charging rates have remained static this quarter, while the LPG and public charging rates have changed. 

The new rates per mile are:

1400cc or less
    •    Petrol: 12p (12p)
    •    Diesel: 10p (11p)
    •    LPG: –
    •    Electric (Home charger): 7p (7p)
    •    Electric (Public charger): 15p (14p)

1600cc or less
    •    Petrol: –
    •    Diesel: 12p (12p)
    •    LPG: –
    •    Electric (Home charger): 7p (7p)
    •    Electric (Public charger): 15p (14p)

1401cc to 2000cc
    •    Petrol: 14p (14p)
    •    Diesel: –
    •    LPG: 12p (13p)
    •    Electric (Home charger): 7p (7p)
    •    Electric (Public charger): 15p (14p)

1601 to 2000cc
    •    Petrol: –
    •    Diesel: 13p (13p)
    •    LPG: –
    •    Electric (Home charger): 7p (7p)
    •    Electric (Public charger): 15p (14p)

Over 2000cc
    •    Petrol: 22p (22p)
    •    Diesel: 18p (18p)
    •    LPG: 19p (21p)
    •    Electric (Home charger): 7p (7p)
    •    Electric (Public charger): 15p (14p)

Previous rates are shown in brackets.

*Fully electric cars only. Note that for hybrid cars, you must use the petrol or diesel rate.

You can also continue to use the previous rates until 31 March 2026.

Employees using their own cars
For employees using their own cars for business purposes, the Advisory Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) tax-free reimbursement rate continues to be 45p per mile (plus 5p per passenger) for the first 10,000 business miles, reducing to 25p per mile thereafter.

Input VAT
Within the 45p/25p AMAP payments, the amounts in the above table represent the fuel element. The employer is able to reclaim 20/120 of the fuel amount as input VAT provided the claim is supported by a VAT invoice from the filling station. For a 1300cc petrol-engine car, 2p per mile can be reclaimed as input VAT (12p x 20/120).

EMPLOYER-PROVIDED VEHICLES AND TAXABLE BENEFITS IN KIND
On the topic of company cars, it should be remembered that as we head into a new tax year, the flat-rate figures used in the computation of some employer-provided vehicle benefits-in-kind calculations will be increased for inflation. From 6 April 2026:

• The flat-rate van benefit charge will be increased from £4,020 to £4,170.
• The flat-rate van fuel benefit charge will be increased from £769 to £798.
• The multiplier for the car fuel benefit charge will be increased from £28,200 to £29,200.

Where an employer provides an employee or a director with a company car, this is usually a taxable benefit-in-kind. The taxable amount of the benefit depends on the vehicle’s power supply, its manufacturer's list price and CO2 emissions. A reduction is given for any periods where the car is unavailable.

Pool cars owned by the employer and used by a number of employees will not normally lead to a taxable benefit-in-kind. Certain conditions need to be met, including the car only having very low or incidental private use and it being used by different employees, none of whom normally take it home at night.

Great care needs to be taken with company vehicles and tax. Indeed, in a recent tax tribunal case, a company director learned this lesson the hard way, after relying on an informal agreement reached with HMRC over 25 years earlier. In MWL International Ltd and Maywal Ltd v HMRC [2026], the business had treated a number of cars as pool cars and reported no benefit in kind for over two decades. During a later PAYE audit, HMRC decided the vehicles did not genuinely qualify as pool cars because the conditions had not been properly met. Significant National Insurance bills then followed. The company fought back but the Upper Tribunal ruled that HMRC cannot be prevented from applying the correct tax rules, regardless of any past informal agreement.

The case is a stark reminder that a vehicle must genuinely satisfy all of the pool car conditions in practice, not just on paper, and that an informal nod from HMRC, however long ago, offers no lasting protection.
 
SOURCING LABOUR FROM THIRD PARTIES? DUE DILIGENCE REQUIRED!
Just a final reminder for any businesses sourcing workers from third parties (e.g. through agencies or ‘umbrella companies’) that new rules come into effect from 6 April 2026 that may make you jointly and severally liable for the PAYE and NIC costs of those workers, should the third party fail to pay HMRC. To avoid unexpected tax costs, we strongly recommend that supply chains are reviewed and the new rules are understood.

16th March 2026 – Hillmans Weekly Update

Welcome to our latest round-up of the latest business and tax news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect you. We are here to support you!

Have a great weekend.

Kind regards,
 
Steve
 
Steven Hillman BSc (Hons) FCA
Chartered Accountant
Tel: 01934 444100
https://www.hillmans.co.uk

Starting Up in Business: A Practical Guide
Have you reached a point where the idea of running a business feels like more than just a pipe dream? Perhaps you have identified a gap in the market, you want greater independence or your side hustle is telling you that it has the potential to become a full-time income.

Whatever the motivation, taking some time at the outset to understand the practicalities can make starting a business smoother and help you to avoid costly surprises later.

Here we review some of the things you will want to consider.

Selecting an appropriate legal structure
A first decision for a new business is to choose the structure under which it will operate. In the UK, most new ventures start either as a sole trader (or a partnership if there is more than one of you) or as a limited company.

Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so it pays to consider what the business will be doing, the expected income, and how you want to manage risk and growth before deciding which is best for you.

Setting up accounting and bookkeeping systems
Accurate financial records are essential for monitoring the performance of your business and complying with its legal reporting requirements.

For new businesses, using cloud-based bookkeeping software from day one is often a good approach. Software platforms can now connect directly to business bank accounts and identify expenses from receipts stored electronically. This can be a time saver for you.

Considering VAT
VAT is an area where early planning can prevent unexpected bills. Registration becomes compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds the VAT registration threshold on a 12-month rolling basis or will exceed the threshold in the next 30 days. However, for some businesses, it can be worth voluntarily registering earlier.

VAT registration can affect your cash flow, pricing and competitiveness, so understanding this before you cross the threshold is important.
 
Running payroll
If the business will employ staff, or if you set up as a limited company and want to draw a salary as a director, you will need to run a payroll.

A payroll is easy to set up, but it triggers ongoing and regular obligations, including calculating pay and PAYE tax and national insurance (NI), reporting to HM Revenue and Customs each pay period, issuing payslips, and potentially managing the requirements for workplace pensions.

Tax obligations: income tax and corporation tax
Sole traders pay income tax and Class 4 NI on their profits. One point that often surprises new business owners is the payment on account system, which can make your first tax bill larger than you might expect.

On the other hand, limited companies pay corporation tax on their profits. Directors then pay personal tax on any income taken from the company. This makes it important to consider how funds will be withdrawn from the business, as the tax effect can be significant.

Cash flow planning and forecasting
A business can be profitable on paper but still struggle financially if cash is not available when it is needed. For example, suppliers might need to be paid straight away, but customers do not pay until the end of the month.

Cash flow forecasting can help you predict when money may be tight, and allows you to plan on how to reduce pressure.

Accessing credit and finance
Many new businesses need some form of finance, perhaps to buy equipment or support working capital requirements. Options can include start-up loans, business overdrafts, hire purchase and leasing.

Lenders typically look for a clear business plan. Well-kept records and organised accounts are often a big help in getting approval.

How can we assist?
Clearly, there is a lot to think about when starting a new business, however, help is at hand!

Why not ask us for a copy of our free “New Business Kit”? This is a comprehensive guide to the financial, tax and accounting considerations of starting a business.

Starting a business well can make a significant difference to long-term success, and we are available to help you navigate each step with confidence.
 
Is a Change to Income Tax Devolution in Wales on the Horizon?
An independent report, commissioned by the Welsh government, has examined potential future options for income tax devolution in Wales. It compares keeping the current partially devolved system with moving to full devolution, while factoring in the effects of the block grant adjustment (BGA).

The report, prepared by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and Bangor University, explores four options and their effect on the net tax position of the Welsh government.

The four options are:

• Partial devolution of income tax rates with a BGA calculated on a ‘by-band’ basis. This is the current approach used in Wales.
• Partial devolution of income tax rates with a single BGA.
• Full devolution of income tax rates and thresholds, with a single BGA. This is the current approach in Scotland.
• Full devolution of income tax rates and thresholds, with the BGA calculated on a ‘by-band’ basis.

Currently, the UK government reduces each of its basic, higher and additional income tax rates by 10 percentage points for Welsh taxpayers. Since devolution, the Welsh government has set its own rates of income tax at 10%. This means that Welsh taxpayers pay the same overall amount of income tax as those in England and Northern Ireland.

What is the block grant adjustment (BGA)?
The BGA reduces the amount of grant that is paid by the UK government to the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. The reduction is intended to reflect the amount of revenue the UK government would have received in the absence of devolution.

The method by which the BGA is calculated can vary.

• In Wales, where the devolved income tax rates apply to each of the income tax rate bands, the adjustment is separately calculated for each tax band.
• In Scotland, there is a single adjustment to the grant.

The devolved administrations effectively gain (or lose) on the difference between the tax revenues they collect and the amount of BGA that is deducted from their grant. The report, therefore, looks at how sensitive this difference is for the Welsh government under the four options reviewed.

What does the report conclude?
In short, the authors conclude that there is no single optimal model among the four options that were looked at. Each has benefits and drawbacks.

Partially devolved systems offer less control but also reduce how much the Welsh government is exposed to changes outside its control.

Full control of income tax rates and bands would allow the Welsh government greater control over the tax system. However, the report highlights that income tax rates cannot be set in a vacuum.

The report recommends that a decision on changing income tax devolution in Wales would need to balance the government’s risk appetite against a realistic assessment of the possible negative outcomes. Potential changes in UK government policy and how Welsh income tax would interact with UK income tax would also need to be considered.

See: https://www.gov.wales/future-options-for-income-tax-devolution-in-wales
 
Health and Safety Campaign for Home Workers
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign to remind employers that they have the same legal duties for home workers as office-based staff.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), over a third of workers in Great Britain now work remotely or in hybrid arrangements, which makes this an important area for employers to cover.

The HSE campaign focuses on three essential areas for employers to pay attention to. These are:

• Stress and mental health.
• The safe use of display screen equipment (DSE).
• The working environment – including accidents, emergencies, and lone working.

HSE advise that it is not necessary to physically visit someone’s home for an employer to fulfil their duties since, most of the time, the risks are low and the steps to manage them are straightforward. HSE suggests that managers:

• Keep in regular contact with their teams.
• Talk openly about workloads and training needs.
• Make sure people aren’t under pressure to work outside their normal working hours.
• Have simple conversations about the staff member’s physical environment by asking them to visually check that their equipment is safe and not damaged, keeping work areas clear of trailing wires or obstructions, and making sure they know what to do in an emergency.

The HSE provides free resources to help businesses carry out home-working risk assessments.

Businesses in Northern Ireland are overseen by Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI). HSE NI’s website also provides free resources to help employers fulfil their legal obligations towards staff working at home.

See: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/03/09/home-workers-must-be-protected-like-any-other-employee/
 
Employers: Are You Ready for a New Tax Year?
The end of the 2025/26 tax year will soon be here, which means a few additional tasks to carry out on your payroll, if you run one.

If you run a payroll, you will need to report information on the tax year that is ending to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The tax year ends on 5 April 2026.

You will also need to prepare for the new tax year, which starts on 6 April.

HMRC provide the following handy list of tasks that need to be carried out and when.

• Send your final payroll report of the year on or before your employee’s payday.
• Update employee payroll records and payroll software from 6 April.
• Give your employees a P60 by 31 May.
• Report employee expenses and benefits by 6 July.

If you would like help with any of these tasks, please do get in touch. We would be happy to help you!

See: https://www.gov.uk/payroll-annual-reporting
 
Increases to Intellectual Property Office Fees
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has announced increases to its fees for patents, trademarks and designs from 1 April 2026.

The new fees will mean an increase in current charges of 25%. For example, the cost of a patent search will increase from £150 to £200. A trademark application will cost £205, up from £170.

The IPO notes that this is their first fee increase in eight years, with inflation and cost pressures making it necessary to review the charges now.
Fees will be charged up to and including 31 March 2026, which may make it worthwhile accelerating an application to benefit from the lower rates.
Using the ‘save for later’ or ‘draft’ function when applying does not count as submitting an application. This will mean paying the higher charges if the actual submission occurs after April 1.

The IPO has published guidance that will be helpful if you have fees due around 1 April. These will be particularly useful if you are applying for a trademark or registered design.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/intellectual-property-office-fees-to-increase-from-april-2026

Negotiations Underway on a UK-EU Agrifood Trade Deal
A UK-EU trade deal is currently being negotiated, which is hoped will benefit businesses in Britain and Northern Ireland, and make agrifood trade easier, cheaper and quicker.

Exports of food and agricultural products to the EU have seen a fall of 22% since 2018. It is estimated that this represents a real terms loss of £4 billion to businesses.

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which is at the heart of the deal, will enable the smoother flow of agrifood goods, including plants, from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. It aims to protect the UK’s internal market while maintaining Northern Ireland’s EU access.

Most agrifood goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will no longer need regulatory certificates, checks or paperwork.

The new trade deal will not affect the Windsor Framework, which protects Northern Ireland’s dual market access.

Businesses in Northern Ireland, particularly, stand to benefit from being able to trade goods without additional paperwork and checks within both the EU Single Market and the UK Internal Market.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has opened a call for information to find out what can be done to support businesses get ready for the changes. The call for information will run until 23 April 2026.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/businesses-in-northern-ireland-urged-to-prepare-for-smoother-gb-ni-and-eu-trade 
 
 

6th March 2026 – Hillmans Weekly Update

Welcome to our latest round-up of the latest business and tax news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect you. We are here to support you!

Have a great weekend.

Kind regards,
 
Steve
 
Steven Hillman BSc (Hons) FCA
Chartered Accountant
Tel: 01934 444100
https://www.hillmans.co.uk

Spring Forecast 2026: What Does the OBR’s Latest Forecast Mean for You?
During a week dominated by news of the Middle East conflict, on 3 March 2026, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Spring Forecast to Parliament.

The Chancellor told MPs she had “restored economic stability” as she presented the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR’s) economic forecasts.

The Chancellor focused on how the government’s policies are delivering economic growth, particularly when looking at Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person. However, the OBR’s report indicates a more nuanced picture and notes that the fiscal context for the next Budget will remain challenging.

The OBR’s forecast was being finalised as the conflict in the Middle East escalated. The OBR warned that this conflict could have a “very significant” impact on the global and UK economies.

Summary of economic outlook
The main points from the OBR were:

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected to slow from 1.4% in 2025 to 1.1% in 2026. This is 0.3 percentage points lower than the OBR’s November 2025 forecast. However, GDP growth is expected to pick up to an average 1.6% a year from 2027 to 2030. 
• Real GDP per person is forecast to grow at an average rate of 1.1% a year between 2026 and 2030. This is an indicator of changes in average standards of living and is marginally higher than in the November forecast. 
• The unemployment rate is forecast to rise from 4.75% in 2025 to a peak of 5.3% in 2026. The OBR says this is mainly due to those entering the workforce finding it harder to secure jobs in a period of subdued hiring. They expect the unemployment rate to ease back to 4.1% by 2030, but note that the impact of AI on future employment makes longer-term forecasts less certain. 
• Public sector net borrowing is projected to fall from 5.2% of GDP in 2024/25 to 4.3% of GDP in 2025/26. It is then forecast to decline gradually over the medium term to reach 1.6% of GDP in 2030/31.

As part of the government’s policy of one major fiscal event a year, the Chancellor announced no new tax or spending policies. However, the OBR’s forecasts do provide some early clues about future tax and spending pressures.

What does the Spring Forecast tell us about tax?
From a tax perspective, the OBR’s report points to a tax environment that will feel increasingly heavy over the rest of the decade. Taxes as a share of GDP are projected to climb to 38.5% by 2030-31, a post-war high.

Much of this increase comes from the freeze on income tax thresholds, which will continue until April 2031. Combined with rising wages, this means more people are being pulled into paying higher tax rates, even if their circumstances have not changed.

The state pension creates an interesting complication: from 2027/28 it is expected to exceed the personal allowance, bringing an estimated 600,000 more people into tax in 2026/27 and around 1 million by 2030/31. The government has said it does not intend for pensioners whose only income is the basic or new state pension to pay income tax during this Parliament. However, the final details on this policy and how it will work in practice have not yet been announced.

The OBR notes that the increase in employer national insurance contributions, which took effect last April, is also playing a significant role in the higher tax take. These increased costs are potentially feeding into business hiring decisions at a time when unemployment is forecast to rise to 5.3% in 2026.
Self-assessment payments are also expected to rise sharply in 2026/27, partly due to the non-domiciled tax regime being abolished in 2025/26 and a subsequent temporary repatriation facility being offered. If you have overseas income or assets, it is still important to carefully review your tax planning.

The strong performance of UK equity shares in recent months means that the OBR are expecting receipts from capital taxes to rise. If you hold UK equity shares, this may be a good time to review your holdings and consider whether crystallising gains now, rebalancing your portfolio and/or making use of available allowances would put you in a better tax position. Any such planning needs to carefully navigate what are known as ‘bed and breakfasting’ rules (effectively selling to repurchase), so please do get in touch if this situation applies to you.
 
In conclusion
The practical message from the OBR’s report is that tax planning is becoming ever more important, and capital taxes and transactions are likely to remain on the government’s radar.

For individuals and businesses, this means keeping a closer eye on allowances, thinking about the timing of income and gains, and making sure you are using the reliefs available. Reviewing arrangements such as pension contributions, profit extraction techniques, and the way assets are held within a family may also lead to simple, practical steps that could help to keep future tax bills under control.

Please do talk to us if you would like any personalised help in optimising your tax position.
 
ICAEW Says Stability in the Tax System Needed to Support Entrepreneurship
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has said that doing business in the UK is too uncertain and expensive, and more stability in the tax system is needed. Their comments were in response to the government’s call for evidence on how the tax system can better support entrepreneurs.

ICAEW considers that blunt tax hikes and tax policies have disproportionately increased the cost base of UK businesses and these need to become a thing of the past.
They also point to a lack of meaningful incentives that would unlock investment from serial entrepreneurs and family office investors. For instance, an outright capital gains tax exemption could be more effective in encouraging the reinvestment of capital into new ventures.

Recent changes to the inheritance tax and domicile rules have also complicated reinvestment decisions and may tempt some to move funds abroad.
From April 2026, the income tax relief that can be claimed by someone investing in a venture capital trust (VCT) will be reduced from 30% to 20%. ICAEW have called for this decision to be reversed.

ICAEW have suggested that changes also be made to the enterprise investment scheme (EIS) and enterprise management incentives (EMI) to make them more effective and attract talent to entrepreneurial businesses.

The government’s call for evidence closed on 28 February 2026. It will be interesting to see what changes come from the consultation.
See: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/mar-2026/support-entrepreneurship-through-stability-in-the-tax-system-says-icaew
  
Boost in Grants for Installing EV Chargers
The government has announced an over 40% increase in charge point grant amounts that will mean businesses, landlords and renters could save up to £500 on installing an electric vehicle (EV) charge point. Previously, the grant provided a discount of £350.

The uplift could cover almost half the typical installation costs and make it easier for EV users to access cheaper electricity rates at home or work to charge their EV. Schools will also be eligible for grants of up to £2,000 per socket.

Updates to the scheme will also simplify the current EV charge point support schemes available by reducing eight grant types down to five, which should make the system easier to navigate.

The electric car grant, which provides a discount on buying an EV, continues to be available. This can offer savings of up to £3,750.

Support is also available through local authorities for residents who do not have driveways to be able to install discreet, embedded pavement channels, meaning those with on street parking can install an EV charge point. This is in addition to the £500 installation grant.

EVs continue to receive preferential tax treatment, and this can also be worth exploring if you are considering buying a new vehicle.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grant-boost-to-cover-almost-half-the-cost-of-installing-ev-chargers-for-households-and-businesses
 
How Clear Are Your Prices?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a Clearing Pricing campaign aiming to encourage businesses to be upfront, transparent and fair in their pricing.

Teaming up with TV and radio presenter Alexander Armstrong, the campaign highlights a ‘Three Step Pricing Check’ businesses can use to make sure their pricing is on the right side of the law.

The three steps are:

1. Show the total price up front.
2. Include all mandatory charges.
3. If you can’t give a total yet, is it clear how customers can work it out?

Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), it is now illegal to introduce additional mandatory fees, such as a booking or delivery fee, taxes or other charges late in the purchase process.

The Act also gives the CMA the powers to fine businesses that break consumer law up to £300,000 or, if higher, up to 10% of their global turnover.

For businesses that are not clear about the new laws, guidance is available from the CMA that explains how to present prices clearly. The guidance provides examples of what should and shouldn’t be done when it comes to delivery charges, administration and booking costs, and periodic payments and could be a useful resource.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tv-presenter-alexander-armstrong-teams-up-with-the-cma-to-champion-clear-pricing
 
Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair Launches in Blackpool
The government’s push to tackle long-term youth unemployment took a step forward last week, with more than 3,000 young people and residents attending the first-ever Youth Guarantee Jobs and Careers Fair in Blackpool.

Held at the Winter Gardens, the event brought together 94 employers offering everything from apprenticeships and traineeships to live vacancies. Businesses included both local and national employers. There are plans to hold further events in the future.

The Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that everyone under 25 is offered one of four pathways:

• Employment
• Continued education
• An apprenticeship
• A traineeship, work experience placement or Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)

A new review led by Alan Milburn is examining the barriers stopping young people from accessing work.

For businesses, this expanded support for young people may help ease the challenges in recruitment and skills shortages. Apprenticeships can be a cost-effective way to build a pipeline of future employees.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-youth-guarantee-jobs-fair-brings-big-employers-together-to-unlock-opportunities-for-young-people
 
Consultation on Major Measures to Protect Children’s Digital Well-being
A major consultation has been launched that explores what measures are needed to keep children safe on the internet. It examines if social media should be banned for children, or whether there should be restrictions on AI chatbot features and overnight curfews.

The government also plans to run pilots with families and teenagers to explore how social media restrictions could work in practice.

The consultation considers a number of changes, including:

• Whether a minimum age should be applied to social media, and if so, what age?
• Whether addictive features, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, should be switched off by the developers.
• Whether mandatory overnight curfews would help children to sleep better, and if so, what age should they be.
• Whether children should be able to use AI chatbots without restriction.
• How would the enforcement of age verification be strengthened?
• How children and parents can be helped to navigate the digital world successfully.

The consultation is open to industry as well as parents, young people and others who work with children. It concludes on 26 May 2026.

New legislative powers could change how apps, games and other online services are developed and online businesses will want to stay informed to see how the proposals could affect their services.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation