Blog: General

Updated: February 2026 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) remain an important consideration for employers, employees and company directors. For the 2025/26 tax year, employer NIC costs in particular are a key area to watch, and it is worth checking that your understanding (and budgeting) reflects the latest rates and thresholds. Employees – when do NICs start?

A Newcastle business finance expert has taken over as chair of the North East region of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3. Chris Ferguson is now responsible for leading R3 campaigns to highlight the benefits of accessing qualified advice from North East insolvency and restructuring professionals for both individuals and businesses with financial concerns, and

This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed. For full guidance please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme. Who can apply You can apply if you’re a self-employed individual or a member

20 March 2020: businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply to Companies House to request an extension to file their accounts, reports and confirmation statements. The maximum extension is three months, but stringent conditions apply, the most important being that any appeal must be lodged before a company’s filing deadline. Updated government advice states that

On 17 March 2020 the Chancellor set out a further package of targeted measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19: • increasing the retail discount from one-third to 50 per cent for eligible retail businesses occupying a property with a rateable value less than £51,000; • extending the retail discount

Measures to support businesses experiencing increases in costs or financial disruptions Employment costs Legislation will be enacted to allow small-and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows: • The refund will cover up to 2

What is the priority for employers? The priority for most employers is going to be retaining staff if they can. The key message is talk to your workforce and below a few areas to consider which should be read in the light of the following; 1. The government intends to put a full package of

We have been informed that businesses who have used time to pay are receiving good support. Since HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19) last week, SME businesses have started getting support to delay payment

At what is an uncertain time, we understand that everyone will have differing concerns and priorities. The landscape in relation to COVID-19 is changing daily but we wish to reassure our clients and associates that RMT has already instigated a comprehensive business continuity plan to ensure we are able to provide an uninterrupted service Whilst