Essential Business Updates for UK Companies: April News Round-Up

April News Round-Up

Your round-up of the latest developments affecting UK businesses

Welcome to this month’s edition of Business News. If you’d like to discuss how any of these updates could impact your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re here to help!

UK Government Seeks Business Views on US Tariffs

The UK Government is inviting feedback from businesses as it considers its response to new ‘reciprocal tariffs’ proposed by the US.

On 2 April, US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on a range of UK exports to the United States. This is in addition to existing 25% global tariffs on imports of cars, steel, and aluminium into the US.

In response, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed disappointment and confirmed that the UK is engaging in constructive discussions with the US to seek a fair resolution.

How UK Businesses Can Respond

UK companies are being encouraged to share their views by answering questions such as:

• The average value of goods they export to the US.
• How the tariffs would affect their business.
• What adjustments would they consider making in response?

An indicative list of US goods that may be targeted in a UK response has also been published. This list excludes essential imports such as medical supplies and military equipment.

A Measured Approach

Secretary Reynolds stated:

“Our cool-headed, pragmatic approach means that talks with the US will continue to reflect our mandate to deliver economic stability, as we press the case for a trading relationship that supports businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Government is also holding meetings with a wide range of businesses to ensure their voices are heard and to reinforce its commitment to defending UK industry.

Have Your Say – Open Until 1 May

The four-week Request for Input is open until Thursday, 1 May.

Click here to take part and submit your feedback

Leadership Lessons for Growing Your Business

How to scale your business without losing what makes it special

Growing a small business is exciting—but it comes with challenges, particularly when it comes to keeping your team aligned and preserving your company culture.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) recently shared five valuable leadership lessons in an insight article featuring advice from Rachel Nutt, Senior Partner at MHA. While MHA is now a £200m business, the leadership principles shared apply to businesses of all sizes.

Here’s a summary of key takeaways for business owners looking to grow with purpose:

Live Your Business Values

Most businesses define their values, but as you grow, those values can get diluted. New hires bring fresh perspectives, and processes evolve—but it’s vital to ensure your core principles remain the guiding force behind every decision.

Top Tip: Don’t just reward performance—reward teamwork, collaboration, and behaviours that reflect your values. This ensures culture and growth go hand-in-hand.

Make Big Goals Feel Achievable

Setting ambitious targets is important, but if they feel too distant, motivation can suffer. Break goals into smaller, manageable steps to help your team see tangible progress.

Top Tip: Celebrate the milestones along the way—this keeps momentum high and morale strong.

Create a Culture Where Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities

Innovation doesn’t thrive in fear. Businesses grow faster when teams are encouraged to experiment, even if they fail.

Top Tip: Share your setbacks as a leader. When you treat mistakes as stepping stones, your team will feel safe to take smart risks and innovate.

Recognise When It’s Time to Let Go

As businesses grow, not every team member will grow with it. Some will thrive, while others may no longer be the right fit.

Top Tip: Have honest conversations. Parting ways when necessary—done fairly and with compassion—can protect both your culture and your long-term vision.

Lead with Authenticity

Great leaders don’t try to copy a template—they lead with their voice and values. Employees are more engaged when they know their leaders are genuine and clear in their direction.

Top Tip: Embrace your natural style and create a workplace that values diversity of thought and leadership.

Final Thoughts

Leadership plays a critical role in how successfully a business grows. By living your values, setting realistic goals, creating a learning culture, having tough conversations when needed, and leading authentically—you can build a thriving, motivated team that grows with you.

Need Help Growing Your Business?

We’ve helped many businesses scale while maintaining profitability and a strong culture. Book a free consultation for advice and proven strategies.

 Read the full ICAEW article here

Workplace Communication: Survey Reveals Employee Frustrations

Striking the right balance in how we connect at work

A recent survey by workplace expert Acas has shed light on a surprising truth: not all employees are fans of common workplace communication tools.

Communication Frustrations in the Modern Workplace

The survey asked employees to share which communication methods they find most irritating. Here’s what the results revealed:

• 31% dislike video calls
• 25% are irritated by messaging apps (such as Teams and Zoom chat)
• 21% dislike phone calls
• 11% even find face-to-face conversations frustrating

While most employees are comfortable using a variety of methods, these results clearly show that preferences vary widely—and that one-size-fits-all communication doesn’t work for everyone.

Insight from Acas

Dan Ellis, Interim Chief Executive at Acas, commented:

“The way we communicate at work can impact us all… The key for bosses is talking to staff to find out what works for them as well as the business, and finding solutions that encourage people to talk to each other most effectively.

Finding the Right Balance

Strong communication is key to productivity and positive work culture—but using the wrong methods too frequently can lead to frustration and fatigue.

To improve communication and employee satisfaction in your workplace, consider the following:

• Offer a variety of communication options to suit different working styles and preferences.
• Encourage teams to agree on which tools are best suited to different types of conversations.
• Avoid overloading staff with video meetings—”Zoom fatigue” is real.
• Keep communication purposeful: ensure messages are clear, concise, and relevant.

Why It Matters

Adapting how your business communicates can have a big impact on team morale and efficiency. By showing flexibility and being open to feedback, you create a more supportive and productive workplace.

 Read the full survey results from Acas

Child Benefit Increases from 7 April: What Employers Need to Know

From 7 April 2025, families receiving Child Benefit will see a welcomed increase in their payments. HMRC has confirmed that:

• The weekly rate for the eldest or only child will rise to £26.05
• Each additional child will now receive £17.25 per week

That means:

• £1,354.60 annually for the first child
• £897 annually for each additional child

Payments are typically made every four weeks and are deposited automatically into claimants’ bank accounts.

Managing Claims with the HMRC App

Parents can manage their Child Benefit using the HMRC app, which allows them to:

• Make new claims
• Update existing claims
• Change bank details
• Track payments

What This Means for Employers

While Child Benefit is a personal entitlement, there are several key reasons employers should be aware of these changes:

Support Financial Wellbeing

This increase offers a small but valuable boost for employees with children.

Encouraging your team to check their eligibility can:

• Reduce financial stress
• Support employee wellbeing
• Contribute to better workplace morale

High-Income Employees & HICBC

Employees earning between £60,000 and £80,000 may be affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).

What’s changing?

• From summer 2025, eligible employees will be able to opt to pay the charge via PAYE
• This removes the need for many to file a Self Assessment tax return

Employer Action:

• Ensure your payroll team is aware of the update
• Be ready to process new tbax codes issued by HMRC
• Offer guidance or signposting to high-earning employees

Parental Leave & Prompt Claims

Employees on maternity or parental leave should be reminded to:

• Claim Child Benefit as soon as their child is born
• Claims can only be backdated for up to three months

Delays could mean missing out on vital payments and National Insurance (NI) credits.

National Insurance Credits Matter

Even if parents opt out of receiving payments (to avoid HICBC), they should still submit a claim to:

• Secure NI credits
• Protect their State Pension entitlement

Key Actions for Employers

• Inform your staff of the Child Benefit increase
• Encourage eligible employees to claim
• Educate high-income employees on HICBC changes
• Remind new parents to claim promptly
• Ensure payroll is ready to implement any HMRC-issued tax code updates

Supporting your employees with the latest financial updates shows you care—and helps build a stronger, more informed workplace.

Need help?

If you or your employees need further information or guidance, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help.

Read more on GOV.UK

Car Manufacturers Fined £77 Million for Illegal Collusion.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined 10 major car manufacturers and two trade bodies a total of £77.7 million for illegal anti-competitive practices that distorted fair competition in the UK’s automotive market.

What Happened?

The CMA uncovered two key breaches of UK competition law:

Restricting Sustainability Advertising

Between May 2002 and September 2017, manufacturers:

• Agreed not to promote how recyclable their vehicles were—even if they exceeded the legal minimum of 85%.
• (With the exception of Renault) They agreed not to disclose how much recycled material was used in their vehicles.

This informal agreement, documented as the ‘ELV Charta’ or “gentleman’s agreement,” prevented consumers from:

• Making informed choices about vehicle sustainability
• Comparing brands based on eco-friendly innovations

It also discouraged competition and innovation in green automotive technology.

Cartel on Recycling Costs for End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)

From April 2004 to May 2018, eight car makers—BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen—agreed:

• Not to pay recycling companies for ELV services

Later, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Jaguar Land Rover, and trade bodies ACEA and SMMT also joined the agreement.

This buyers’ cartel:

• Prevented recycling providers from charging fair prices
• Potentially discouraged innovation and investment in greener recycling processes

Penalties & Fines

All companies except Mercedes-Benz (which reported the collusion and received immunity) have agreed to settle and pay fines by 2 June 2025.

Top fines include:

• Ford – £18.5 million
• Volkswagen – £14.8 million
• BMW – £11.1 million
• Nissan & Renault – £9.98 million combined, plus £2.8 million for Nissan
• Peugeot Citroen, Vauxhall, Opel (Stellantis Group) and others received fine reductions for cooperating early under the CMA’s leniency policy.

What This Means for the Industry

This case is a major warning to the automotive sector and other industries that:

• Collusion—whether informal or structured—is illegal
• Transparency, especially around sustainability and pricing, is expected and enforced.
• Regulatory bodies like the CMA are ready to act against any behaviour that restricts consumer choice or innovation.

For full details, visit the official CMA statement.

Supporting Pub Tenants: New Minimum Standards for Short Agreements

Pub tenants entering short agreements now have clearer protections and expectations, thanks to new minimum standards introduced by regulated pub companies in collaboration with the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

These standards aim to ensure that tenants starting under short-term arrangements—like tenancies at will—are treated fairly, understand their rights, and are better equipped to make informed decisions.

What Are Short Agreements?

Short agreements allow tenants to run a pub on a temporary basis—typically under 12 months—while a longer-term agreement is negotiated.

This gives both parties a chance to:

• Test the working relationship
• Assess the viability of the business
• Decide whether to commit to a longer-term lease

However, most rights under the Pubs Code do not apply to these short agreements, so minimum standards are critical to protect tenants.

Key Protections for Tenants

Under the new standards, tenants on short agreements are entitled to:

• Access to key information from the pub company before signing
• Advice to complete entry-level pubs training unless they have prior relevant experience
• Clear warnings not to invest personal funds into the business, as these agreements can be ended at short notice

These agreements are typically tied, meaning tenants must buy certain products from the pub company.

Why These Standards Matter

Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, highlighted:

“It is particularly important that tenants are advised not to invest their own money when agreements can be terminated at short notice… These consistent minimum standards reflect best practice and will help tenants understand what they can expect.”

The new measures:

• Promote fairness and transparency
• Encourage sustainable business relationships
• Offer a supportive foundation for new or transitioning tenants

Where to Learn More

Tenants considering short agreements should review the new minimum standards to understand their rights and responsibilities fully.

Access the full Short Agreements – Minimum Standards (March 2025) here:

View on GOV.UK

UK Further Tightens Import Restrictions Amid Foot and Mouth Disease Concerns

The UK government has expanded its precautionary import restrictions following another confirmed case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Hungary, near the Austrian border.

New Restrictions Announced:

• Commercial imports suspended from Austria of:
  • Cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, wild ruminants
  • Untreated animal products, including fresh meat and dairy
• Travellers are banned from bringing meat, dairy, or animal by-products from Austria into Great Britain

These measures are an extension of existing bans already in place for Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany.

Biosecurity & Vigilance Urged

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss reminded livestock keepers to:

• Remain extremely vigilant
• Practise strict biosecurity
• Report any suspected cases immediately

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner confirmed more restrictions may be introduced if the risk level increases.

Why It Matters

• FMD does not affect humans, but it is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals.
• Potential clinical signs include:
  • Blisters and sores
  • Lameness
  • Fever
• An outbreak could cause severe disruption and economic loss to the UK farming industry.

Read the full announcement on GOV.UK:

 Import Ban of Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Deer from Austria

New Workplace Recycling Rules Now in Force

As of 31 March 2025, new regulations are in effect requiring workplaces in England to separate recycling and waste. These changes aim to streamline recycling processes and reduce landfill waste.

Key Requirements for Workplaces with 10+ Employees:

1. Dry recyclable materials – Includes plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card.
2. Food waste – Must be separately collected.
3. Residual waste – Non-recyclable waste must also be separated.

Specific Details:

• Depending on your waste collection service, paper and card may need to be separated from other dry recyclable materials.
• Workplace responsibility: Ensure proper waste separation practices to comply with the new rules.

What’s Next:

• Simpler Recycling rules will be expanded to include further regulations for businesses and households in the coming years.

Key Points:

• Environment Agency will regulate these changes.
• Businesses are encouraged to adopt these practices now to avoid non-compliance penalties.

For more information, you can visit the official government announcement.