Business News England: Key Updates, Insights and Actions for Growing Businesses
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Starting a business: What to think about now to grow later
Starting a business begins with an idea, a skill, or a market gap. But lasting and growing your business takes more than excitement. Early decisions, often made quickly, can shape how your business works and grows. For example, choosing to be a sole trader, partnership, or limited company affects how you pay tax, raise money, and your personal risk as you grow. One business started as a sole trader but later struggled to raise investment, since investors preferred limited companies. In another case, two partners used personal accounts for all business money, leading to mistakes at tax time and arguments over funds. Opening a separate business bank account early can save time and prevent confusion as your business grows.
If you have recently started a new business, this article highlights some key areas worth considering as you build and develop your venture.
Book a free advice with Naseems Accountants today for tailored guidance, and ensure your business starts strong.
1. Clarify the problem you are solving
Many start-ups begin with a strong idea, a new feature, or an innovative technology. However, this can sometimes result in a solution looking for a problem. In reality, customers pay for solutions to their problems, not for the novelty of a product or service.
From the outset, it is important to clearly define:
- Who your customer is
- What problem are they facing?
- Why existing solutions are not good enough
This matters because lasting growth comes from solving a real need better than others, not just adding features or marketing more.
If customers are not willing to pay (or meaningfully engage), scaling the business later will be difficult regardless of how refined the offering becomes.
2. Keep a close grip on cash
Many businesses fail not from poor profits, but because they run out of money at the wrong time. Ironically, growing businesses often face greater cash pressure before becoming financially stable.
To avoid surprises, you should regularly check your cash flow. This means seeing when your money comes in and goes out of your business account.
Start with a simple spreadsheet, like a free cash flow template in Excel or Google Sheets, or easy apps like Wave or QuickBooks Simple Start to record payments and costs. This helps you track your money and spot problems before they happen.
Accurate forecasting allows you to:
- Identify potential cash gaps early.
- Plan how to manage shortfalls in advance.
- Make informed decisions about spending and investment.
Book a free advice for personalised assistance now to empower your business finances. Start effective financial planning today with our help.
3. Think about how you will be replaced from the start
At first, owners do most of the work themselves. While normal, growing a business means slowly replacing your own work with systems others can use.
This includes:
- Clear processes for sales, onboarding, and service delivery.
- Basic financial tracking and performance reporting.
- Consistent approaches to customer service and issue resolution.
Your systems can be simple. Using lists, templates, and shared tools helps prevent mistakes and saves time.
Businesses that depend on one person’s knowledge or memory often struggle to grow and can quickly become confused. Simple systems and processes help capture key knowledge, making your business stronger and more able to grow. To begin, pick a task that you do often, such as sending invoices or onboarding a new client, and write the steps you follow each time. Even a basic list or short set of instructions is a good start. This makes building systems easier and helps you progress right away.
Separately, it is important to think early about the kind of people you want on your team and the company culture you wish to build. This ensures that as your business grows, you attract people who share your values and support your long-term vision.
If you want to hire staff and grow, it’s important to think about the kind of work culture you want early on.
You may wish to think about:
- What type of people do you want to work with.
- What standards are non-negotiable in your business.
- How feedback, communication, and mistakes will be handled.
Are you ready to hire your first employee? Schedule your free consultation now and take control of payroll, contracts, and employer responsibilities.
5. Measure what matters
Even small businesses benefit from tracking a few key performance indicators (KPIs), such as:
- Customer acquisition cost.
- Customer retention or repeat business rate.
- Average revenue per customer.
- Time spent on delivery versus selling.
You do not need to track everything, but tracking nothing can lead to bad decisions. Just a few important numbers can help you see what drives growth or holds it back.
Final thoughts
Starting a business is more than just getting started; it is about building something that can grow and meet your long-term goals. Choices made in the first year often affect how hard growth will be later.
Think strategically from the start to ensure your business thrives and achieves lasting success.
Take the next step and book a free consultation now to discuss your plans and receive expert guidance. Your business success requires rapid action, reach out today!
The NCSC is to begin recommending the use of passkeys.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has announced at CYBERUK 2026 in Glasgow that it will begin recommending the use of passkeys wherever they are supported, and two-step verification (2SV) where they are not.
A passkey is a modern method of signing in that removes the need for a password. Instead, your account is linked to a device you own, such as a smartphone or computer. When logging in, the service requests confirmation from your device, which you approve using a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN.
Following its analysis, the NCSC has concluded that passkeys offer stronger protection than traditional 2SV methods, which remain vulnerable to phishing attacks. Phishing remains one of the most common causes of cybersecurity breaches.
However, the NCSC also emphasises that, like any security measure, passkeys must be implemented correctly. Their effectiveness still depends on the security of the user’s device and any credential management systems in use.
What should your business do?
Now is a good time to review your cybersecurity practices. Here are some first steps to help you get started:
- Review your current login methods across all systems and services you use.
- Identify which platforms or applications already support passkeys or offer strong authentication options.
- Make a list of where you can enable passkeys now and where you still need to use two-step verification.
Where available, adopt passkeys and ensure strong authentication is in place across your systems. To get started, check the security or login settings for each platform or service you use. Many providers include information on whether they support passkeys or advanced authentication options.
Most platforms provide step-by-step setup instructions in their help or support sections, making it easier to enable these features quickly and confidently.
See: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blogs/passkeys-are-more-secure-than-traditional-ways-to-log-in
Digital Waste Tracking to be introduced
A new Digital Waste Tracking service is set to replace the current paper-based system, enabling waste operators to track permitted waste in real time across the UK.
This initiative forms part of a wider effort to combat waste crime, which is estimated to cost the economy approximately £1 billion each year. Under the new system, businesses will be required to maintain a digital audit trail for the waste they handle, helping authorities identify suspicious activity and take enforcement action more effectively.
The rollout will begin with approximately 12,000 permitted waste-receiving sites. At a later stage, it will extend to more than 100,000 additional operators within the waste sector.
From October 2026, permitted waste receiving sites in England, Northern Ireland and Wales will be required to use the service. In Scotland, the requirement will take effect from January 2027.
Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, commented that the new system will provide authorities with stronger evidence to tackle illegal operators, while also streamlining processes and reducing administrative burdens for compliant businesses.
A voluntary beta version of the system opened on 28 April.
What does this mean for your business?
If you operate within the waste sector, it is important to begin preparing for these changes now. Early adoption can help ensure compliance and minimise disruption when the system becomes mandatory. Consider taking the following steps to get ready:
- Review your current waste tracking and recordkeeping methods to identify any gaps with the upcoming digital requirements.
- Register for the voluntary beta version of the Digital Waste Tracking service if eligible, so you can familiarise yourself with the system ahead of full rollout.
- Ensure your team is aware of the upcoming changes and provide relevant training on digital tracking procedures.
- Contact your software provider or IT support to explore how your existing systems can be integrated or updated for digital waste tracking.
- Set up internal processes to regularly review and update your waste records, making compliance simpler as the new requirements come into force.
Need support preparing for new regulatory requirements? Book a free consultation now for expert guidance and ensure your business stays compliant.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/game-changing-digital-tracking-takes-fight-to-rogue-waste-traders
Data law change relaxes consent rules for charities.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published final guidance on the new ‘charitable purposes soft opt-in’ provision introduced under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Under this provision, charities can now send direct marketing via electronic communications, such as emails, text messages, and social media direct messages, to individuals who have previously expressed interest in or supported their charitable purpose. This can be done without obtaining explicit consent, provided that specific conditions are met.
The guidance outlines how charities can apply this rule in practice, along with the safeguards required to ensure individuals’ rights remain protected.
As a result, the change may create new opportunities for charities to enhance supporter engagement and improve fundraising activity, while still operating within a compliant framework.
Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner for Regulatory Policy at the ICO, noted that the guidance is intended to help organisations use the provision confidently, while maintaining appropriate data protection standards.
What does this mean for your organisation?
If you operate in the charity or not-for-profit sector, this is a valuable opportunity to review your marketing approach and ensure you are making the most of the updated rules, without compromising compliance.
Reforms promised for Right to Buy
The government has confirmed its intention to introduce further reforms to the Right to Buy scheme to help local authorities better protect and rebuild the social housing stock.
Right to Buy allows eligible council tenants in England to purchase their homes at a discounted rate. The proposed changes are designed to strike a better balance between home ownership opportunities and the long-term availability of social housing.
Key proposed reforms include:
- Increasing the minimum eligibility period from three years to ten years before tenants can apply
- Adjusting discounts so they start at 5% of the property value, increasing annually by 1% up to a maximum of 15% (or the applicable cash cap)
- Introducing a 35-year exemption period for new-build social housing before it can be sold under the scheme
In addition, the government is reviewing measures to:
- Protect vulnerable tenants from being pressured into purchasing their homes.
- Consider how the scheme operates in rural areas.
To support housing supply, maximum cash discounts have already been reduced (ranging from £16,000 to £38,000 depending on location). Councils are now also permitted to retain all proceeds from sales, allowing reinvestment in new housing developments.
Furthermore, new rules ensure that properties cannot be sold for less than the total cost of building, repairing, and maintaining them.
The government has indicated that these reforms will be introduced when Parliamentary time allows.
What should you consider?
If your business operates in property, housing, or construction, these changes may influence demand, investment decisions, and long-term planning.
For example, landlords may face longer waiting periods before they can sell properties purchased under Right to Buy, which could affect portfolio turnover and cash flow. Developers could benefit from increased protection of new-build social housing, making it easier to plan projects with greater certainty. Investors may need to reassess the attractiveness and timing of social housing investments, as restrictions on sales and adjusted discount rates may affect returns. Understanding these impacts now can help you respond effectively and protect your interests.
Book a free consultation with experts on how policy changes could impact your business or investments? Our team can help you assess the implications and plan accordingly.
See:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/right-to-buy-overhaul-to-safeguard-social-housing
Renters’ Rights Act: Key actions for landlords
The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026 and represents one of the most significant changes to the private rental sector in England in a generation. The new rules apply immediately to both new and existing tenancies, meaning landlords must act quickly to ensure compliance.
Unsure how these changes affect your property portfolio? Book a free consultation for tailored advice and practical support.
What has changed?
The most notable reform is the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. Landlords can no longer end a tenancy without a valid legal reason.
In addition:
- All assured shorthold tenancies have been converted to assured periodic tenancies.
- Fixed-term tenancies have effectively been removed.
- Tenants now benefit from greater long-term security.
These changes mark a shift towards a more regulated and tenant-focused rental market.
What landlords need to do now
To remain compliant under the new framework, landlords should take the following steps:
- Review eviction procedures
Ensure you fully understand the updated statutory grounds for possession and how they apply. - Audit tenancy agreements
Check that your agreements reflect the new legal structure and remove any outdated clauses. - Update internal processes
Make sure your systems and documentation align with the new requirements. - Provide the required documentation.
The official Renters’ Rights information document must be issued to tenants by 31 May 2026. Failure to do so may result in financial penalties.
Why acting early matters
Delaying action could increase the risk of noncompliance, tenant disputes, or financial penalties. Taking a proactive approach will help ensure a smoother transition and protect your position as a landlord.
Managing multiple properties or unsure where to start? Our property accountants can help you carry out a compliance review and identify any gaps.
Final thoughts
The Renters’ Rights Act signals a major shift in how rental properties are managed in England. While the changes increase tenant protections, they also require landlords to adopt more structured and compliant processes.
Book a free consultation with our team for expert guidance on tenancy compliance, property structuring, and tax implications. We are here to help you stay compliant and confident.
FAQs
Q1: What should I consider when starting a business in the UK?
When starting a business, you should consider your business structure, cash flow management, target market, and long-term scalability. Early decisions can significantly impact growth and tax efficiency.
Q2: What are passkeys, and why is the NCSC recommending them?
Passkeys are a password-free login method linked to your device. The NCSC recommends them because they provide stronger protection against phishing compared to traditional passwords and two-step verification.
Q3: What is Digital Waste Tracking, and who does it affect?
Digital Waste Tracking is a new UK system that will require businesses to track waste in real time. It will first apply to permitted waste sites and later expand to the wider waste sector.
Q4: What changes are being made to the Right to Buy scheme?
Proposed reforms include increasing eligibility from 3 to 10 years, reducing discounts, and introducing a 35-year restriction on the sale of new-build social housing.
Q5: What is the Renters’ Rights Act, and how does it affect landlords?
The Renters’ Rights Act abolishes Section 21 evictions and introduces periodic tenancies. Landlords must update agreements, processes, and compliance documents to meet new legal requirements.
Q6: Why is cash flow important for new businesses?
Cash flow ensures a business can meet its financial obligations. Many businesses fail due to cash shortages, even if they are profitable on paper.
Q7: How can businesses prepare for regulatory changes?
Businesses should regularly review compliance, update internal processes, seek free professional advice, and adopt new systems early to avoid disruption.
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