Bytheway & Co Accountants and Business Advisors

19/10/2026

Tax investigations cause unexpected and unwanted bills. With the government promising HMRC a further £800m to pursue non-compliance and tax evasion, large numbers of businesses and individuals will be affected by this compliance activity.

Our Tax Investigations Service is designed to provide clients with protection against the representation costs of an enquiry. If selected for an investigation, we will defend you and aim to resolve the matter within the shortest possible timeframe.

Find out more at bythewayaccountants.co.uk

16/10/2026

David Rosenberg, a top economist and the president of Rosenberg Research, said he thinks the US economy could be on track to tip into a serious contraction sometime in 2027, ending its defiantly strong run over the past several years. That's because the US looks poised to run out of two sources of dry powder that have been key to staving off a recession: large fiscal stimulus and the billions being poured into AI, he told Business Insider in an interview.

Top economist David Rosenberg sees a "very significant" US recession once fiscal stimulus dries up and AI-related capex starts to wane.

14/10/2026

The average interest rate on a new five-year fixed mortgage deal has hit 6% for the first time in three years, figures show.

The cost of home loans has been rising in recent weeks, as lenders face higher costs amid international concern over rising prices, interest rates, and government borrowing costs.

It means home buyers and anyone renewing a fixed deal have seen about 1,500 mortgage deals priced below 5% vanish since the start of September, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts.

Read more -

The cost of a new fixed-rate mortgage has been rising in recent weeks as lenders face higher costs.

12/10/2026

Payroll can quickly become one of the most time-consuming parts of running a business, particularly as reporting requirements and employment obligations continue to evolve. Bytheway Accountants can take that pressure away with a reliable, professional payroll service tailored to the size and needs of your business.

From regular payroll processing and payslips to RTI submissions, pension requirements and wider HMRC compliance, our team helps ensure everything is handled accurately and on time. Whether you want to outsource payroll completely or simply need additional support, we can provide a practical, cost-effective solution that frees up your time to focus on running your business.

Find out more at bythewayaccountants.co.uk.

09/10/2026

The UK economy entered “uncharted territory” on Monday battling an assortment of financial pressures as fears intensified ahead of the next Budget.

Diesel costs surged to a record high of 199.18p per litre marking the latest energy shock on the UK economy. Stations were registered as charging 199.18p per litre, according to the RAC. The automotive firm said the price jump reflected “just how exposed the UK is to events occuring far away”.

Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – also tipped above $96 per barrel after a four per cent jump on Monday morning. This followed renewed uncertainty around peace between the US and Iran after Trump rejected a proposal that sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK economy was facing a fresh round of pressures on Monday after borrowing costs surged higher and the price of diesel reached a record.

07/10/2026

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has set out a three-point plan for the new government.

According to the BCC, Prime Minister Andy Burnham must focus on trade, investment and productivity to support businesses and help the UK economy thrive.

Ensuring that firms have the confidence to invest is essential if they are to expand, create more jobs and adopt new technologies, the BCC said. However, too many businesses face barriers that hold back long-term investment decisions.

The business group has urged the government to create the conditions that encourage investment.
It also called for a full commitment to a fully funded, multi-year workforce plan for the UK planning service to enable increased development, more jobs and stronger local economies.

The BCC called for an acceleration in infrastructure delivery and improved access to supply chains in order to maximise the economic returns from investment, and for the government to reduce unnecessary burdens that increase costs.

02/10/2026

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the number of job vacancies has fallen to its lowest level in over five years.

The UK unemployment rate remained at 4.9% but vacancy numbers dipped over the May to July period, totalling 707,000.

The ONS found that smaller businesses are cutting back on recruitment as labour and operating costs rise.

Growth in regular earnings rose, but private sector wages grew at their slowest pace in six years.

Responding to the data, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 'Although unemployment has held steady at 4.9%, this cannot hide the wider problems bedevilling the UK's job market.

'Business confidence is at a post-Pandemic low and the squeeze on firms' finances shows no signs of easing.

'With last week's announcement that changes to zero hours contracts could cost businesses almost £3 billion, many will be reassessing their recruitment plans.'

30/09/2026

A report carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD) has revealed that business confidence remains 'subdued' as cost pressures on firms intensify.

The business group's Economic Confidence Index, which measures optimism amongst business leaders in regard to prospects for the UK economy, fell to -63 in July 2026 from -61 in June.

Business leader confidence in their own firm also fell to -2 in July from +7 in June.

Revenue expectations fell to +9 from +11 - the lowest reading in 2026.

Commenting on the data, Anna Leach, Chief Economist at the IoD, said: 'Our latest data signals a further modest deterioration in sentiment and trading conditions in July.

'Overall confidence in the economy has drifted down a little further amongst business leaders, continuing its trend of weakness and volatility since the 2024 Budget.

'Meanwhile revenue expectations have dropped to their weakest level in 2026, and alongside elevated costs, means the squeeze on margins has intensified.'

28/09/2026

Strong businesses do not just react to what is happening today. They plan for what comes next. At Bytheway Accountants, we help businesses turn ideas and objectives into clear, practical financial plans supported by meaningful forecasts.

From cash flow and budgeting to profit projections and longer-term growth planning, our team can help you understand what different scenarios could mean for your business and give you the information needed to make more confident decisions. Robust forecasting can also help identify potential pressures early, support funding discussions and keep your wider strategy on track.

If your business would benefit from clearer planning and stronger financial visibility, find out more at bythewayaccountants.co.uk.

25/09/2026

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has outlined recommendations to help small firms recruit talent.

According to the business group, small firms are being 'left behind by the skills system', despite their 'crucial role' in providing opportunities for young people.

Rising employment costs put pressure on businesses to do more with less, the FSB warned. Training is increasingly one of the areas being cut, which, in turn, holds back economic growth.

The FSB has set out an action plan for England to create a national network to help employers find the best training providers and courses. It also outlined recommendations for developing a career matchmaking service and to make the apprenticeship system more accessible for small businesses.

Tina McKenzie, Interim National Chair at the FSB, said: 'Small businesses already do a great job of taking on this fresh talent, but there needs to be a renewed focus by the government on backing small firms and making the process easier for employers.

'It's good to see the new government's focus on technical education, but the skills system must reflect the needs of small businesses. Initiatives like creating a new partnership to link up employers with young people and help them provide work experience, helping find the right courses, and creating a more small business friendly apprenticeship system would be invaluable.'