Employees are calling for increased employer pension contributions this year, as new research from employee benefits technology provider, Zest, reveals the most sought-after benefits for 2025. The most desired benefits are as follows: Rank All employees 1. Increased pension contributions (30%) 2. Private medical insurance (29%) 3. Employer contribution to energy costs at home (23%) / discounts/vouchers for high street shops/brands (23%) 4. Wellbeing allowance to spend on spend on what you choose (19%) 5. Paid mental health leave (16%) / workplace savings scheme (16%) Three in ten (30%) employees want employers to contribute a greater amount to their pension pots over the…
Author: sme-admin
As we move forward into 2025, many individuals may be looking to start a new venture in the form of a business. Whether you are a coveted business connoisseur or a fresh-faced entrepreneur, it is important to take several steps to ensure you hit the ground running. Helen Steel from Steamlion Consulting, a Berkshire-based firm specialising in SME funding and growth strategies, knows just how important it is to set your business up for success. Having helped over 700 business owners secure over £14 million for their start-up funding and growth plans, she has seen the strengths and weaknesses of…
Younger generations are emerging as unexpected champions of office-based work, with new research from Vitality’s Britain’s Healthiest Workplace data revealing they are more likely than older colleagues to recognise the benefits of being in the office. The data found that 61% of employees under 35 believe that the social elements of working in an office are good for their health, compared to 49% of employees over 55. Likewise, 60% of employees under 35 feel they have better access to learning and development opportunities when working in person, compared to 45% of employees over 55, while 48% of employees under 35…
Soumya Dinesh is the managing director of Atula Technologies. The Buckinghamshire-based business provides bespoke software solutions to SMEs. Soumya discusses when businesses might consider outsourcing their software development. It can be a strategic decision for many businesses. Understanding the benefits and challenges that come with each option is vital to making the right decision. When to Outsource and the Benefits of Outsourcing Skill Gaps: If your in-house team lacks specific skills or expertise, outsourcing is a practical way to bridge this gap without the long-term commitment of hiring new staff. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing can be cost-effective, particularly if it involves partnering with firms in regions…
The growth in side-businesses over the past few years has been significant, and from this January’s tax return deadline, the new rules introduced by HMRC last year to target individuals and micro-businesses making money from online platforms come into effect. Prior to the new measures being introduced, HMRC could request information from UK based platforms. However, the new rules indicate platforms will be required to routinely report on transaction data for sellers; this will enable HMRC to ensure that all income earned through side businesses is tracked in order to tackle tax evasion and to detect any deliberate non-compliance. Since…
Zivver, a leader in secure communications, has published its latest report, shedding light on critical gaps in email security practices and their alignment with increasing regulatory requirements. The findings from Email Security Trends 2025: The Widening Disconnect Between Email Security and Risk Management highlight the often-overlooked threats in email security, and the scrutiny of regulatory demands on organisations. Landmark directives such as NIS2, DORA, and GDPR demand rigorous risk management, information classification, and data leak prevention, with email firmly in the compliance spotlight. Email is a cornerstone of business communication, with 93% of employees ranking it as “important” or “very important” for their…
Technology has long been used by educators to support teaching and operations, facilitating staff with a wide range of platforms and resources. A particular tool that has sparked both controversy and curiosity is the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI). A study by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, found that most teachers are reluctant to use AI for pupil learning with 84% of educators not changing the way they assess their students’ work. This comes after Ofsted recently launched an independent review on the use of AI in schools and how to develop the understanding of policymakers and education providers’ on its potential uses.…
As the government seeks to crack down on tax avoidance and fraud, HMRC is preparing itself for a record number of investigations. In 2025, the new government’s changes to the tax system will gradually roll out, including measures to reduce what it calls the ‘tax gap’, that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves says currently stands at around £40 billion. The government’s plans will see HMRC recruit 5,000 more tax officials over the next year, with a portion of its funding ‘ring-fenced’ to target strategically important criminal cases and ensure a strong deterrent against tax evasion. Hamraj Kang, founder and…
Patients Know Best (PKB), a pioneer in innovative health software solutions, has obtained £6m in funding from Growth Lending to support the next phase of its growth journey. The company has developed the world’s largest Personal Health Record (PHR) platform, integrating data feeds from all of England’s GPs and 25% of the UK’s hospitals. Designed to organise data around the individual, its platform provides patients with a unified record to access and use their health information. Integrated with the NHS App, it has more than 4.7 million registered patients and releases more than 20 million test results every month. Following…
Tom Bloor, managing director of Manchester-based EV-charger company evec discusses why many more tax breaks and other incentives around electric charging are needed if government targets for EV ownership are to be reached. The car market is going through some huge changes. Sales of petrol and diesel cars are down by between -14.2% and -20.5%, year-on-year, for fleets and private use, while sales of battery EVs grew by 24.5% to reach a 20.7% share of the market. There were almost 300,000 new BEVs on the road in 2024, which is very encouraging, but it’s not all good news – this…