Every policy change that could affect your business — sourced from GOV.UK. Filter by topic below.
Showing 162 of 162 updates · Last checked 05 Aug 2026, 11:37
This collection brings together all procurement policy notes, providing guidance on best practice for public sector procurement.
The Office for the Impact Economy provides a single front door for impact investors, philanthropy and purpose-driven businesses to partner with the government and grow their social impact across the UK
How to identify and record the people who own or control your company.
A collection of the apprenticeship funding rules and associated guidance.
Meet legal duties, file reports and manage risk
The impact of challenges facing the economy and other events on UK businesses, including financial performance, workforce, trade and business resilience.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), one of the biggest trade deals of modern times, came into force on 15 July.
Guidance for sole traders, landlords, and agents about how to use HMRC's new way to do Self Assessment.
Guidance covering extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging for producers, reprocessors, exporters, compliance schemes, material facilities and other groups.
The SME Digital Adoption Taskforce is an industry-led group, set up to explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported to better adopt digital technology to improve their productivity.
An update on digital adoption work relating to the taskforce and its 10 recommendations to help small businesses adopt digital technologies.
Use an OGEL to export controlled dual-use or military goods, software and technology overseas.
You must register with your local authority to run a food business.
Find out about our General Export Facility: its benefits, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
A collection of guidance you should follow for Plastic Packaging Tax.
How UK organisations that supply or import packaging should comply with extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
The Small Business Taskforce is a joint government‑industry group to develop practical recommendations to reduce regulatory burdens on small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses.
Independent AI adoption plans setting out recommendations from the AI Champions, to accelerate AI adoption across key UK sectors, with a pro-worker approach.
How to bring goods into the UK from any country, including how much tax and duty you’ll need to pay and whether you need to get a licence or certificate.
You need to prove who you are to set up, run, own or control a company in the UK.
Information and guidance on the Equality Act 2010, including age discrimination and the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Understand, file and pay your business taxes
The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy in England. DfE is a ministerial department, supported by 13 agencies and public bodies .
Find government-backed support and finance for business
Find licences, permits or certifications you may need for yourself or your business.
What you need to do to comply with regulations which govern manufactured products placed on the market in Great Britain.
Find out how the scheme works, including issuing shares and raising money, and how to submit your compliance statement.
Find out about tax reliefs available to individuals who invest in certain companies, social enterprises, or Venture Capital Trusts.
Find out when you have to pay Apprenticeship Levy and how to work out and report your payments.
Where to find sanctions content, including introductory guidance, statutory guidance, guidance by industry sector, the UK Sanctions List and how to report a breach.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is backing your business by making it easier for small businesses to access public sector supply chains, removing unnecessary burdens and costs.
This page provides links to guidance produced by, or relating to, the Insolvency Service
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help organisations protect themselves against common online threats.
Find out which regulations apply to your products and where to go for further information on how to comply with them.
When you may need an environmental permit or licence for activities that could pollute, increase flood risk, affect land drainage or affect water resources. Check the rules and get advice before you start operating.
How public procurement will change to improve the way supplies, services and works are procured for the public sector.
What it covers, eligibility, how to get a quote and how to apply.
Guidance to help businesses and organisations improve online security and protect against cyber threats.
Strategy setting out a long-term plan for government support for small and medium-sized businesses.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund supporting documents.
The Department for Business and Trade's (DBT) guides for UK businesses who are interested in selling overseas.
Skills England works with partners to create better skills for better jobs, enabling growth and opportunity. Skills England is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions .
HM Treasury is the government’s economic and finance ministry, maintaining control over public spending, setting the direction of the UK’s economic policy and working to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth. HMT is a ministerial department, supported by 18 agencies and public bodies .
We advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.
Statutory guidance for the development, implementation and review of a Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
Find out about our Export Working Capital Scheme: its benefits, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
PAYE for employers, getting started, reporting and paying HMRC, expenses and benefits
Find out how to set up your business rates valuation account, raise a check case and challenge your valuation.
Information on the different types of relief for companies that work on R&D, how to find out if you can make a claim and what to do before you make a claim.
Workplace recycling in England changed on 31 March 2025. Guidance for all businesses, charities and public sector organisations on separating recyclable waste.
This collection brings together all documents relating to business population estimates.
Find out which trade agreements the UK has signed and which the UK is negotiating.
Apply to get an EORI number to move goods between Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man, and other countries.
This report sets out an ambition for growth and prosperity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the adoption of digital technology and a 10-step action plan for government.
Strategy document setting out the government’s plans to maximise trade opportunities now and in the future.
How to move goods from the UK to international destinations, including any special rules you’ll need to follow to move your goods from the UK.
This guidance was intended to help traders to comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). It is replaced by 'CMA207: unfair commercial practices' from 6 April 2025.
As part of the Government’s plan to support small businesses and boost global exports a new Board of Trade has been unveiled today.
This NPPS sets out strategic priorities for public procurement and how contracting authorities can support their delivery, and will come into effect 24 February 2025.
The AI Safety Institute’s mission is to minimise surprise to the UK and humanity from rapid and unexpected advances in AI.
Find out about trade agreements that can be used now.
Business waste management in England - your duty of care, waste collection, licences and waste transfer notes
Incorporate a private limited company - register it with Companies House and rules on directors, shares, articles of association and telling HMRC about the company.
Incorporate a private limited company - register it with Companies House and rules on directors, shares, articles of association and telling HMRC about the company.
The Data Protection Act (DPA) controls how personal information can be used and your rights to ask for information about yourself
Recommendations for the government to capture the opportunities of AI to enhance growth and productivity and create tangible benefits for UK citizens.
Government response to recommendations set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan and the steps it will take to implement them.
There is no law for a minimum or maximum temperature, but during working hours the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable
Steps to help grow your business - finding finance, mentors, increasing sales and developing products and services
Get business support and advice over the phone and online - setting up and running a business.
How to pay Corporation Tax: payment reference number, online, Bacs or CHAPS, Direct Debit, cheque or at your bank.
Claim up to £10,500 off your employer's National Insurance (NI), who is eligible, how to claim using your payroll software.
UK visa sponsorship information for employers - requirements, certificates and licences for Workers and Temporary Workers.
Business expenses you can claim if you're self-employed
Being made redundant - rights, statutory payments you're entitled to, notice periods and consultation, finding a job.
Delivering the government's Plan to Make Work Pay.
Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contribution rates for the current tax year, what NI category letters mean.
Estimate your business rates by multiplying the rateable value of your business property by a multiplier value set by the government.
Check if you can get a reduction in your business rates bill with business rates relief and find out how to apply.
Check if you can get a reduction in your business rates bill with business rates relief and find out how to apply.
Check if you can get a reduction in your business rates bill with business rates relief and find out how to apply.
Self Assessment tax returns - deadlines, who must send a tax return, penalties, corrections and returns for someone who has died.
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa (formerly a Tier 2 General work visa) if you’ve been offered a skilled job with a UK employer - eligibility, fees, documents, extend, switch or update, bring your partner and children, taking on additional work.
Business Asset Disposal Relief (was known as Entrepreneurs' Relief) can reduce your Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when you sell certain business assets or shares - eligibility, deadlines, how to claim.
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates: age, apprentices, previous years.
Regular payroll tasks - record employee pay, calculate deductions, give payslips, report to and pay HMRC, view the balance of what you owe HMRC.
Business plans - download free templates and get help writing a business plan
Claim capital allowances so your business pays less tax when you buy assets - equipment, fixtures, business cars, plant and machinery, annual investment allowance, first-year allowances.
Make sure a job applicant can work in the UK - check they have the right documents and make sure you're not prosecuted for employing an illegal worker.
How to employ an apprentice, what's expected of you and what funding you can get.
How to register for VAT, change your details, cancel your registration, register for VAT in EU countries.
How to register for VAT, change your details, cancel your registration, register for VAT in EU countries.
We ensure fair payment practices for Britain’s 5.5 million small businesses, and support them in resolving their payment disputes with larger businesses. SBC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade .
Find out what R&D tax relief is and if your project qualifies for Corporation Tax relief.
Guidance to accompany pavement licensing introduced in the Business and Planning Act 2020.
This page brings together information about the Customs Declaration Service.
This page contains the Border Target Operating Model, our final plans for a new approach to importing goods into Great Britain, that will be progressively introduced from the end of January 2024.
Guidance, forms and manuals for Corporation Tax. Including preparing accounts, reliefs, filing returns, payments, charities and clubs, and non-resident companies.
Guidance on how to register, manage and enforce a trade mark. A trade mark protects your brand, for example the name of your product or service.
A collection of guidance about applying for, managing and enforcing a patent. Patents help protect a product or process, for example machines and medicines.
Guidance relating to the protection, managing and enforcing of a registered design. Registered designs protect the appearance, shape or decoration of a product.
A collection of guidance about how to protect, manage and enforce copyright. Copyright protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works.
The UK government is consulting on a range of potential policy measures to mitigate future carbon leakage risk.
This strategy sets out how we will build on our success to date to develop a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.
This white paper details our plans for implementing a pro-innovation approach to AI regulation. We're seeking views through a supporting consultation.
Sets out when planning permission is required and different types of planning permission which may be granted.
Find out about the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) for non-domestic customers.
Find out the rules to establish the country of origin of imported and exported goods and to help identify goods which qualify for lower or no Customs Duty.
Find out how the scheme works, including issuing shares and raising money and how to submit a compliance statement.
Plans setting out how the government will enhance our country’s energy security, seize the economic opportunities of the transition, and deliver on our net zero commitments.
Includes online returns, rates, charging and record keeping
This strategy sets out how the UK government will work with the hospitality sector, as it reopens and recovers from COVID-19, to build the sector’s longer term resilience.
The National AI Strategy builds on the UK’s strengths but also represents the start of a step-change for AI in the UK, recognising the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth and innovation across the private and public sectors.
The government's vision for harnessing digital transformation and building a more inclusive, competitive and innovative digital economy.
How to use the Trade Tariff tool or get help to classify your goods, so you pay the right amount of Customs Duty and import VAT.
Public consultation on reforms to the UK’s data protection regime.
Proposed reforms to competition and consumer policy for strong free markets, vigorous competition and high consumer standards that drive growth and productivity.
Register or renew registration with the Environment Agency to transport, buy, sell or broker waste.
This strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050.
This collection brings together all documents relating to the Future High Streets Fund.
A £3.6 billion fund investing in towns as part of the government's plan to level up our regions.
A strategy setting out how the government will support businesses to respond to export opportunities around the world.
Training to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business.
Small businesses can record income and expenses when money is actually paid rather than when they've invoiced or received
Tools and guidance for businesses
Find information about how to move goods from the UK to the rest of the world.
Which exports are controlled and therefore require a licence, how to apply and what compliance responsibilities you'll have.
Our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to support small businesses and improve productivity across the country. Some of the help available to small businesses from funding to guidance and advice.
Guidance to help companies comply with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, including greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting.
Requesting flexible working, how to make an application, what business reasons an employer can give to reject an application and how to appeal.
An ambitious blueprint for Britain’s low carbon future.
How to file company information - including directors, registered office and shareholders in your confirmation statement (previously AR01 annual return)
Loans and mentoring for people looking to start or grow a business in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Search for import and export commodity codes and for tax, duty and licences that apply to your goods.
Prepare statutory or abridged annual accounts for Companies House, make corrections and amendments, appeal against penalties for filing after the deadline
Choosing a legal structure when you're starting a business: the differences between being a sole trader and a limited company, including legal risk, registration and taxes.
Late commercial payments - interest and debt recovery costs you can charge businesses for late payments
Consumer protection and rights for goods and services - returning faulty goods, consumer credit, credit and store cards, refunds.
When you need planning permission, where to apply, what counts as permitted development and how to appeal a planning permission decision
How to dismiss staff fairly, working within dismissal rules and dealing with dismissals relating to whistleblowing.
Workplace pensions - what employers have to do, automatic enrolment, ongoing duties, stakeholder pensions
Accidents, health and safety law and workplace conditions
Rules for alcohol licensing in your area, apply for a licence or have your say about a licence application
Your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) - how much you get, eligibility, how to claim SSP, fit notes, disputes.
Who's entitled to the minimum wage, what's included when working out the minimum wage, and what happens if there's a dispute.
Records and paperwork you must keep if you're self-employed as a sole trader or partner in a business: income, costs, profit, how long to keep records.
Weights and measures - find out the law on trading standards for packaging and selling products
Current VAT rates - standard 20% and rates for reduced rate and zero-rated items
How to close a limited company - strike off, dissolution, voluntary liquidation - or allow to become dormant
Food and drink labelling and packaging regulations - what you must show, warnings, health and organic labels and packaging standards.
Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties - who has to pay, how your rates are calculated, getting a revaluation, what to do if your premises change.
Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties - who has to pay, how your rates are calculated, getting a revaluation, what to do if your premises change.
Holiday entitlement or annual leave - information for employers and workers on entitlement, calculating leave, taking leave, accruing leave and disputes.
Trading hours for retailers, restrictions on Sunday opening and public holiday opening in England, Wales and Scotland