The year 2025 has been a wild ride for small businesses, with actions from the 2024 Autumn Budget coming in and lots of verbal volleying around the future rights of employees.
We’ve broken it down into the key events from the past 12 months.
Spring Statement (March)
The Spring Statement was something of a non-event for small business owners. It was flat and disappointing. The only real news was the confirmation of the National Living/Minimum Wage increase.
Spring Statement 2025 and what’s in it for small businesses – live blog – Whether it’s the Spring Statement or Spring Forecast, Rachel Reeves has made her announcement. Read on for our live blog and expert analysis
National Living/Minimum Wage increase (April)
Speaking of which, the National Living/Minimum Wage increased again at the beginning of April. It rose to £12.21 per hour for workers over the age of 21; £10 per hour for 18-20-year-olds; £7.55 per hour for 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds and apprentices.
A small business guide to the National Living Wage – The new National Living Wage has come into effect for 2025/26. Elaine Pritchard of Moorepay explains what you need to know
Employers’ National Insurance increase (April)
This was the dreaded one. From April 2025, employers’ NICs increased from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent.
How businesses can manage the rise in employers’ National Insurance – Philip Welsh, product marketing manager at Sage, explains why employers’ National Insurance contributions (NIC) are rising in April 2025 – impacting employee costs, cashflow and margins for firms
UK company size threshold change (April)
UK company size thresholds changed on April 6, 2025. This could’ve made your company smaller and reduced your regulatory and reporting requirements.
See what tweaks were made in the article below.
UK company size thresholds to change – is your business about to get smaller? – UK company size thresholds are changing on April 6, 2025. This could make your company smaller and reduce your regulatory requirements
Small Business Plan released (July)
The Labour government brought out its Small Business Plan in July, including proposals around:
- Dealing with late payments
- Reducing business rates
- Improving access to finance
- Cutting the administrative costs of running a business
- Help with exports
- More support for training
Read the article below if you missed it.
What is in the government’s Small Business Plan? – The government has revealed its Small Business Plan to show how it wants to back SMEs. Here’s an idea of what’s to come
Autumn Budget (November)
The Autumn Budget, though a month later than normally scheduled, had many more points of interest for SMEs. Have a look at the key announcements in the article below.
Autumn Budget 2025 and how it affects small businesses – Here is a round-up of the key announcements for small businesses from the Autumn Budget 2025
Employment Rights Bill passes (December)
The approval of the Employment Rights Bill came after months of ping pong between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. With a fair few tweaks on the original proposals, the news of the Bill – soon to become an Act – passing gives businesses some certainty, at the very least.
Employment Rights Bill – what’s in the legislation? – Labour’s Employment Rights Bill has officially received Royal Assent. Here’s what it means for your small business
Important dates for 2026
Tax return due:
January 31 – balance of any tax for year 2024/25
January 31 – first payment on account of tax for year 2025/26
July 31 – second payment on account of tax for 2025/26
File your 2025-26 Self-Assessment tax return before October 31, following the end of the tax year for a paper return
Business registration price increase: February 1 (see more in Registering a company name – a Small Business guide)
National Minimum Wage increase: April 1 – (£12.71 for over 21s; £10.85 for workers aged 18-20; £8 for 16-17-year-olds and apprentices)
Guidance on the Employment Rights Bill will be released throughout 2026
Read more
UK Small Business Events and Exhibitions Calendar – A diary of upcoming events of interest for UK SMEs and small business owners. We have listed out each event or exhibition, telling you what each one is about and also where and when all the events are
