April 2025 Business News: Essential Legal Updates, Funding Support, and Compliance Advice for UK Companies

Welcome to our round-up of the latest business news and regulatory updates affecting businesses across England.

From legal changes to compliance matters, we’ve summarised key developments to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.

If you’d like to discuss how any of these updates may impact your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

New Companies House ID Checks: What They Mean for You

Since April 8, 2025, Companies House has introduced a new identity verification system as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This is a significant step towards improving corporate transparency and tackling fraud.

Who Needs to Verify?

If you are:

• A director of a UK company
• A person with significant control (PSC)
• Or someone who files on behalf of a company
• These new requirements apply to you.

What’s Changing?

Everyone involved in forming or running a UK company will soon be legally required to verify their identity. You can do this either:

• Through the GOV.UK One Login or
• Via a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), like us.

While ID checks are voluntary for now, they will become mandatory later in 2025, likely in autumn. For existing companies, the check will be added to the confirmation statement process.

How We Can Help

As an approved ACSP, we can handle identity verification on your behalf. This means:

• No need to set up GOV.UK accounts or deal with extra admin
• We’ll complete the checks efficiently and accurately
• Your business will stay fully compliant – with no stress

This is especially useful if your company has multiple directors or PSCs.

If we already manage your company filings, we’ll be integrating ID checks into our service over the coming months.

If you handle your filings but would like help, just book a free consultation, we’d be happy to support you.🔗 Learn more: GOV.UK – Companies House Identity Checks

Stress Awareness Month: 5 Steps to a Healthier Workplace

April is Stress Awareness Month, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is encouraging employers to take proactive steps to reduce workplace stress through the Working Minds campaign.

This year, the campaign is centred around the 5 Rs. five simple actions that can help you support mental well-being at work:

The 5 Rs of Stress Prevention:

1. Reach out – Start conversations and listen actively.
2. Recognise – Look for signs and understand what causes stress.
3. Respond – Tackle the risks you’ve identified.
4. Reflect – Review what’s working and adjust if needed.
5. Make it Routine – Embed stress management into everyday working life.

Employers are encouraged to focus on one R each week throughout April.

Free Tools to Help You

The Working Minds campaign offers a wide range of free resources, including:

• Online learning
• Talking Toolkits
• Risk assessment templates
• Real-life examples

By taking action, you’ll not only support the mental health of your team but also meet your legal duty to prevent work-related stress.

Learn more and access resources: Visit the HSE Website

New Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Law Now in Force

From April 6, 2025, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 has officially come into effect, offering extra support for parents whose babies require neonatal care.

What’s New?

Parents now have the right to up to 12 weeks of additional leave and pay if their baby receives neonatal care. This is on top of other parental leave entitlements.

Who’s Eligible?

This leave and pay applies to:

• Birth parents
• Fathers or partners
• Spouses or civil partners
• Adoptive parents

When Can Leave Be Taken?

• Leave is available if a baby under 28 days old is admitted to neonatal care.
• It can be taken within 68 weeks of the baby’s birth.

How to Inform Employers?

• Parents can self-declare their eligibility.
• They should contact their HR representative to arrange to leave and provide details of their situation.

Supportive Guidance for Employers

Acas has published guidance to help managers support staff during these challenging times. Compassion, flexibility, and understanding are key.

“Our advice provides employers and managers with guidance on how they can support staff members who need to take neonatal care leave.”

Dan Ellis, Acas Interim Chief Executive

Read the full Acas guidance here: Acas: Neonatal Care Leave and Pay

Why Seeking Help When Your Business Faces Insolvency Is the Right Move

Running a business always comes with financial risks. When things start to go wrong, the pressure can be immense. But facing insolvency head-on—and seeking expert advice early—can help you avoid severe legal and financial consequences.

A Real-Life Example: Builder Sentenced for Misconduct

A recent case highlights just how wrong things can go when directors mishandle insolvency.

Gary Roberts, a builder from Cheshire, was sentenced to six months in prison (suspended for two years) after serious misconduct during his company’s financial collapse. While GR Developments 1 Ltd was insolvent in 2021:

• He took £17,000 from a customer for work he failed to complete.
• He paid himself over £11,000 while the company was heading into liquidation.
• His actions left a homeowner out of pocket and with an unfinished, exposed home.

He was banned from acting as a company director for 10 years and ordered to pay over £10,000 in compensation.

The Insolvency Service stressed the importance of directors acting responsibly, even during difficult times.

Why Seeking Insolvency Advice Early Makes a Difference

If your business is in financial trouble, here’s why professional advice is not just wise—it could save you:

Avoid Legal Consequences

Trading while knowingly insolvent or mishandling company funds can lead to:

• Director disqualification
• Fines
• Personal liability
• Imprisonment

Protect Your Reputation

Misconduct can permanently damage your personal and professional credibility—making it difficult to secure future business or finance.

Explore More Options

Insolvency professionals can help with:

• Business restructuring
• Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs)
• Administration or liquidation plans

You may have more options than you think.

Reduce Harm to Others

Acting responsibly protects:

• Your customers
• Your suppliers
• Your employees
• And even you, as a director.

Stay on the Right Side of the Law

Insolvency law is there to protect the business community. Following the right steps ensures you don’t inadvertently create bigger problems later.

Speak to Someone Before It’s Too Late

If you’re concerned about your company’s financial health, don’t bury your head in the sand. Please speak to us for a confidential, no-blame conversation. We’ll help you understand your responsibilities and guide you through the legal and ethical way forward.

See the full story here: Cheshire Builder Sentenced – gov.uk

Post Office to Become Fully Franchised – What It Means for You

The Post Office has announced plans to transfer its remaining 108 company-run branches to franchise partners, completing its transition to a fully franchised network by autumn 2025, pending government funding.

Key Points:

• Around 1,000 staff affected—offered roles with new owners or voluntary redundancy.
• Branches will either stay in their current locations or move nearby, according to Post Office chairman Nigel Railton.
• Potential franchise partners include Tesco, Ryman, and independent sub-post managers—meaning more Post Office counters may be seen in retail stores.

Concerns Raised

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has criticised the plan, calling it “privatisation by the back door.”

They argue that previous franchising has resulted in reduced service levels in some areas and are urging government intervention.

Why the Change?

The Post Office claims the move will:

• Save £40 million
• Allow for up to a 10% increase in pay for sub-postmasters
• Help sustain its promise to maintain at least 11,500 branches across the UK.

Local consultations regarding branch changes will begin in the coming weeks.

For Business Owners

If your business relies on local Post Office services (e.g. parcels, banking, customer returns), consider the following:

• Tracking local branch updates
• Exploring alternative service providers
• Using digital solutions for routine tasks, such as Royal Mail online services or business banking apps

Full article: BBC News – Post Office Franchising

Could the Home Building Fund Help You?

If you’re a housebuilder in England struggling to secure funding from traditional lenders, Homes England’s Home Building Fund might offer the financial boost you need.

What’s Available?

The fund provides tailored development loans that can be used to cover the cost of building homes—whether for sale or rent. This flexible finance is designed to help unlock stalled projects and support SME developers in getting homes built.

To Qualify, You Must:

• Be a UK-registered corporate entity or LLP
• Plan to build 5 or more homes on a site in England
• Have outline planning permission
• Have a controlling interest in the land

Learn More: Home Building Fund – Government Guidance