John Harrison and Company

15/06/2026

See our latest blog post about health and safety for home workers
Health and Safety Campaign for Home Workers
HSE reminds employers of their responsibilities

HSE reminds employers of their responsibilitiesThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign to remind employers that they have the same legal duties for home workers as office-based staff.According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), over a third of....

12/06/2026

A well-dressed accountant went into a bar to quench his thirst after a long day doing tax returns. He sat down, ordered and began to drink his beer. Almost immediately he heard a strange high-pitched voice say, "Nice tie!" Looking around, he could not discover the source of the voice.

Next he heard, "Your taste in clothes is impeccable!"

The accountant's eyes darted about the bar, searching. Nothing!

And shortly thereafter, "You are obviously a very intelligent man!"

Again he could not figure out who was talking or where the voice was coming from. The accountant could not understand what was going on, so he called the bartender over and said, "I keep hearing voices! Where the hell are they coming from?"

The bartender smiled. "Oh, don't let the voices bother you, sir... It's just those complimentary peanuts."

10/06/2026

See our blog post on EV charges
Boost in Grants for Installing EV Chargers
Savings of up to £500 available

The government has announced an over 40% increase in charge point grant amounts that will mean businesses, landlords and renters could save up to £500 on installing an electric vehicle (EV) charge point

10/06/2026

New parents urged to claim Child Benefit for their baby now

One in three new parents are missing out on Child Benefit payments in their baby’s first year, according to HMRC’s figures.

The tax authority is urging parents who welcomed a baby this spring to claim now via the HMRC app or online at the government website.

HMRC’s data shows that while more than 6.8 million parents received Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, only 68.8% of them claimed the crucial government support before their baby’s first birthday.

It says that more than 140,000 babies were born between April and June last year and while many parents are enjoying new beginnings this spring, the latest statistics show thousands of families could be missing out on much-needed cash by delaying their claim.

Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week - or £1,406.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week - or £930.80 a year - for each additional child, with no limit as to how many children parents can claim for.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:

‘Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.

‘It is quick and easy to claim Child Benefit via the HMRC app at a time that suits you.’

GOV.UK - The best place to find government services and information.

09/06/2026

Milburn review ‘must be a wakeup call’

Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work diagnostic report must act as a ‘wakeup call’ for the UK government, warns the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The report argues that the UK faces a ‘generational fault line’ in the transition from education into work.

It sets out a comprehensive diagnosis of how systems designed to support young people — education, health, welfare and the labour market — are failing to work together.

The report makes clear that this is not a temporary problem. The NEET rate (not in education, employment or training) has remained persistently high for decades and is becoming more structural.

Today’s challenge is not just youth unemployment, but long-term detachment from the labour market, with many young people not seeking work at all.

Importantly, the Review rejects the idea that young people lack motivation, or employers don’t want to hire young people. Instead, it finds that systems have failed to adapt to a generation facing new pressures, from mental ill-health to a changing labour market.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC said:

‘The Milburn report must be a wakeup call for policymakers about the crisis of young people not in employment, education and training.

‘Unless urgent comprehensive action is taken a whole generation is at risk of being cut loose from society, and economic growth will be hampered.

‘The report accurately diagnoses the problem, with suggested solutions to come later in the year. The issues identified in the Milburn Review have long been reported by businesses. It is important that government urgently takes steps to address these.’

08/06/2026

See our latest blog post
Could a Fiscal “Traffic Light System” Help Your Business Cut Through Uncertainty?
How to bring more structure to decision making

A leading think tank has criticised the fiscal rules that the Chancellor uses to determine the government’s tax and spending plans

08/06/2026

I’m a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.

- Stephen Leacock

05/06/2026

What did the accountant say to his young son after reading him a nursery rhyme?

"No son, when Little Bo Peep lost her sheep, it wasn't tax deductible. But I like your thinking."

04/06/2026

‘Disproportionate tax burden’ closing two pubs a day

A total of 161 pubs closed across Britain in the first three months of 2026, an equivalent of almost two a day, according to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

The industry body blamed a ‘disproportionate tax burden and heavy new costs’ for the closures.

The BBPA says that the scale of closures underlines exactly why the pub-specific business rates relief that came into effect in April was so necessary for the sector – and why a long-term plan is needed to save local pubs.

It said the key to securing the future of pubs is delivering permanent, fair business rates reform, a cut in beer duty and VAT, and reducing the regulatory burden.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said:

‘The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs.

‘For too many, the sheer weight of taxes and regulatory costs have forced them to shut up shop, which will only hurt communities, workers, and the wider economy.

‘This underscores why government’s business rates relief was so necessary, and the support such a welcome relief.

‘We want to work with government to establish a permanent long-term plan that will deliver permanently lower bills, a fairer system and ultimately protect this treasured sector. This means more people in jobs, precious community spaces protected, vibrant high streets, and more investment and growth.’