A couple of weeks ago, HMRC announced plans to tax people who make extra money on the side by buying and selling items online for a profit. Here, an expert from debt solutions specialists PennyPlan reveals what the new rules mean and how you can stay on the right side of the law when selling items online. Online marketplaces have become an excellent way to make extra cash, especially during the cost of living crisis, with any of us using them to sell unwanted gifts and household items we no longer need. But now, HMRC has announced a crackdown on sellers making…

Tradespeople are essential, not only do they maintain and build the infrastructures around us that we rely on daily, but they keep the UK’s homes warm and working all year round. But which trades are the highest earning? To find out, Capital on Tap has analysed the salaries of sixteen trades across the UK to reveal which are the highest and lowest-earning in the country and which cities are home to the highest and lowest-earning trade workers. When setting up and running your own company, understanding how to price your services can make or break your success. But with so many factors…

2024 could be the year of recovery after UK venture capital turned a corner in H2 2023 according to new analysis from HSBC Innovation Banking and Dealroom. After a sharp global pullback in venture capital from the second half of 2022, venture capital is now back above pre-pandemic levels in the UK and is distinctly growing again as of the second half of 2023 (nearly $22B in 2023). Growth was driven by early-stage investing which has remained active, filling the startup pipeline and breakout stage (series B and C) investment which is at 110% of pre-pandemic level. Late-stage investment has…

Peter Meyer grew up among wild animals on a game reserve created by his father, where he lived adventures like no other – from learning to swim in rivers and riding elephants, to walking among the wild and facing dangerous encounters. Now an accomplished model, actor, founder of The Meyer Studios and author of international best-selling book ‘The Boy From the Wild’, here Peter shares the top lessons all business leaders can learn from his unconventional upbringing, which paved his way to becoming a celebrated writer and respected entrepreneur. Expect the unexpected When exploring the wild with friends, we always had…

The highly anticipated Thames Valley Business & Community Awards is set to return to Reading for its 7th anniversary on Thursday, 25th January 2024, hosted at Hilton, Reading. Organised by Great British Expos, this distinguished event has been a cornerstone in recognising and celebrating the achievements of businesses and communities across the region. Launched by Great British Expos in 2017, the awards have grown significantly over the years, with 96 regional businesses earning the prestigious title of ‘winner’. Recently, the event organisers, Great British Expos, have received enquiries regarding confusion between the Thames Valley Business & Community Awards and The…

Research carried out by cybersecurity experts ramsac indicates that human error is responsible for at least 90% of cybersecurity breaches, meaning businesses must do more to protect themselves against cybercrime. Unfortunately, around 20% of businesses still don’t have any form of cybersecurity training in place for their staff and rely only on readily available security features, such as anti-virus software, to hinder criminals. As businesses continue to be victimised by more sophisticated attacks, such as phishing scams and malware, it’s clear greater measures are needed. So, it’s worth asking yourself, is your business vulnerable to a cyber-attack? The answer is more likely yes. What steps do…

Disability doesn’t limit potential; it often opens doors to a world of unique advantages that empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Cool Crutches and Walking Sticks, an innovative mobility aid company, has revealed a list of over 20 benefits that disabled individuals can take advantage of, some of which may come as a surprise. “As someone who personally navigates life with a disability, I understand the daily trials and triumphs that come with it. My own experiences have driven me to not only provide mobility solutions but also to highlight the often surprising benefits that can significantly alleviate the financial strains…

#5amclub has over 312.5 million views on TikTok, which shares the belief that early risers hold the key to success. However, according to Capital on Tap, two-fifths (39%) of small business owners find the daily routines they see online unrealistic. In light of the new year, Capital on Tap, the small business credit card company, has conducted a study asking 250 UK small business owners to reveal the daily habits that have led to success and at what time of day they like to complete these activities to create the ‘ultimate’ daily routine for business owners – which doesn’t include waking up at 5…

UK SMEs with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programme in place see substantial increases in their recruitment success, employee wellbeing and retention – over 50% in fact. So why is it seen by some as a ‘nice to have’ and not a business imperative? We look at how My Inclusion Hub is helping SMEs manage DEI and attract the best talent. A business is only as good as its people and we all know how challenging hiring the right people can be, particularly when you’re recruiting into an SME or micro business where the ‘right fit’ matters so much.…

Award winning Olympian Javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread MBE is the keynote speaker at the glittering black tie ceremony – The Great British Thames Valley Business and Community Awards at the Hilton Hotel Drake Way Reading on the 25th of January 2024. Fatima, who was awarded the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of The Year Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity is the host at the annual black-tie event and will be talking about her story of resilience where she went from being abandoned as a baby, spending her youth in a children’s home to becoming an…

Our construction industry is an integral cog within our economy and if figures continue to read so poorly, then we are running the risk of causing irreversible damage to the sector. Recent survey data conducted across UK construction industry professionals has lifted the lid on the dire state the industry is now in as a result of late payment culture. With an overwhelming majority (74%) of respondents confirming that their financial wellbeing had been affected as a result of late payments – it is clear to see why the health of the industry is slowly deteriorating. In a year in…

Nutrition and food entrepreneur , CEO of leading free-from brand Creative Nature, Julianne Ponan MBE, has warned about the dangers of misleading labelling on plant-based and vegan food products. She has chosen Veganuary to raise the issue of misleading and ‘alibi’ labelling and the risks this poses for those living with serious allergies and intolerances. Julianne, who founded Creative Nature just over a decade ago, lives with severe and life-threatening food allergies and says that too many manufacturers are using “vegan” and “plant-based” to market their products, but then adding “may contain” warnings in the packaging’s small print to remove…

In the wake of the recent cyber-attack on Allen & Overy (A&O), a prominent magic circle law firm, the spotlight should not just be focused on the cyber-attack and whether a ransom demand was paid but just how imperative it is for proper robust cyber insurance policies to be in place for businesses in any sector. The ramifications for firms like A&O are not just financial but extend to the very core of their operational resilience. According to AAG IT, around 236.1 million ransomware attacks occurred globally in the first half of 2022. 1 in 2 American internet users had…

Economic headwinds have created a challenging environment for start-ups over the last year and whilst this is set to continue in 2024, start-ups must not allow generating intellectual property (IP) assets to be overlooked as a priority. As start-ups continue to streamline costs, cutting expenditure on IP rights could come at the expense of long-term success outlines Marks & Clerk, the leading global intellectual property firm. In an effort to help start-ups navigate these economic challenges, Marks & Clerk has published an e-book – The IP Driven Start-up – which can be used by founders as a guide on how to use…

The impending death of third-party cookies means an inevitable shift towards first-party data for brands and marketers. Sam Martin-Ross, UK managing director of digital marketing agency, Eskimoz, discusses why this is not necessarily bad news. A survey from Google reported that a staggering 92% of leading marketers believe using first-party data to gain an understanding of what their audiences want is a critical factor to growth. In fact, using this type of direct data to inform both individual campaigns and wider marketing strategies allows you to tailor your communications in a much more effective and personalised way, boosting engagement and…

In the ever-changing world of business where competition is fierce, having a clear vision is vital for achieving success. Coupled with effective leadership and good communication, these three elements form the foundation of a successful business strategy, providing direction, purpose, and a shared understanding of values for the organisation. However, according to a recent survey by employee engagement company Tinypulse, only 42% of employees know their company’s vision, mission, and values, citing a lack of communication from senior management as the main reason as to why the majority are in the dark. As we begin the new year, now is…