Business rates are the taxes businesses pay on their shops, offices, warehouses and other commercial spaces. The government has said it plans to update the system from April 2026, which could affect how bills are worked out and what reliefs are available.
In plain terms, this means some businesses might see their bills go down, while others could pay more depending on where they’re based and how their property is valued. The aim is to make the system fairer by reducing the pressure on high street retailers and shifting more of the burden to large distribution and online fulfilment sites.
The impact will vary depending on the type of property you have and where it’s located. Some businesses could see their bills go down, which would be a real boost for high street shops and smaller local firms. Others might face higher costs, especially in more expensive areas or large warehouse sites.
Overall, the goal is to make the system fairer. It could work out well for some and be more challenging for others, so it’s worth checking early what the potential changes might mean for your own property.
Model three scenarios
Plan operational changes
Note how you would adjust opening hours, marketing and staff cover for each scenario.
Protect every enquiry
If you trim in store hours, keep calls and messages flowing so sales aren’t lost while you adjust.
When you review your business rates, start with a few key questions. These will help you see where you stand now and what might change after 2026.
If you run a shop, café, pub, gym or local venue, you may already be benefiting from temporary business rates relief. This discount helps reduce the amount you pay on your property and is designed to give high street and leisure businesses some breathing space.
The government is expected to confirm at the Autumn Budget whether these reliefs will continue into 2026–27. For now, the current arrangements remain in place through the 2025–26 tax year, so it’s worth checking that you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to.
Positive for qualifying sites because discounts free up cash. Neutral to negative for sites that do not qualify.
Use this quick Q&A to check whether your business might be eligible for business rates relief.
If most answers are yes, contact your local council or a qualified rating adviser to confirm eligibility and next steps.
Extend phone cover with telephone answering
Use professional call answering in the early evening during peak season so more callers speak to a real person and the customer experience improves.
Add live chat for quick answers
Live chat handles simple questions fast, boosts conversion on product and pricing pages, and frees your team to focus on higher value work.
Use a virtual receptionist for overflow call handling
A trained virtual receptionist answers peak-time calls, routes enquiries accurately, and captures new leads so opportunities are not lost.
Add weekend or bank holiday cover
Stay responsive when competitors are closed, without adding permanent headcount. This improves first response times and overall customer satisfaction.
Train front of house for consistent service
Short scripts and clear triage rules improve call handling and live chat quality, reduce handoffs, and drive operational efficiency.
The government is preparing new measures to stop large companies from keeping smaller suppliers waiting for their money. The plan is to bring in shorter payment terms, stricter reporting rules and real consequences for repeat offenders. These details are expected to be confirmed around Budget time.
Late payments can be a serious strain on small businesses, so this move aims to create fairer trading relationships and better cash flow across supply chains.
For more background, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has explained how the changes could make a real difference for small businesses in the UK. Read their insight: Late payments: tackling late payment practices.
Positive for small businesses that should see faster invoice settlement and better cash flow. Potential negative for large buyers that face more admin and penalties if they miss targets.
The VAT threshold is the point where your business turnover is high enough that you must register for VAT and start charging it on your sales. It is currently under review and the final direction is not confirmed. Some reports suggest it could be lowered while others point to a freeze. Treat any figures as temporary until the Chancellor announces the decision on Budget day.
Employer National Insurance (NI) is the contribution businesses pay on employee wages. At the Autumn Budget, the government could adjust rates, thresholds or allowances. There may also be proposals that affect the NI benefits of pension salary sacrifice. Keep an eye on the confirmed figures so you can update payroll and costs with confidence.
If NI costs rise, you might need to adjust working hours or rotas to manage payroll. The key is to make those changes without losing pace on customer service.
Capital allowances let you deduct the cost of business equipment from your profits before tax. Full expensing means you can claim the entire cost of qualifying plant, machinery or technology in the year you buy it. The policy is permanent, and the Autumn Budget may clarify which assets qualify, including equipment used under leasing arrangements.
These rules make it easier to invest in tools that save time and improve how your team works. Upgrading your communications systems can qualify for relief and help you deliver a better customer experience.
If your business depends on clear and fast customer communication, this could be the right time to modernise. Consider upgrading phones, virtual receptionist support and live chat so you manage demand better, respond faster and create a smoother experience for every customer.
The government may announce changes that make it easier for employers to use apprenticeship levy funds or training budgets for shorter, more focused courses. The goal is to help businesses upskill their teams quickly in areas that really make a difference, such as customer communication, digital tools and service efficiency. Keep an eye on any updates to the rules for 2025 to 2026.
If the system becomes more flexible, you could access funding for bite-sized, high-impact training that helps teams perform better without taking them away from customers for long periods. If the rules stay the same, review your current training plan so you are ready to act when changes arrive.
If your operations use a lot of power, you could benefit directly from lower energy bills. Lighter energy users may not qualify, but there are still opportunities to make progress on sustainability goals by reviewing energy efficiency measures and switching to cleaner technology.
Improving energy efficiency is not just good for budgets, it also supports your business’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. Even small changes to how you use and manage energy can make a meaningful difference over time.
Pensions are in the spotlight ahead of the Autumn Budget. The government may adjust how tax relief works on pension contributions, the use of salary sacrifice, and the way some pension benefits are taxed or inherited. Final details will be confirmed on Budget day and as new rules progress through Parliament.
Keep an eye on official guidance after the Budget and share a single contact route by phone or live chat so employees can get fast answers.
Planning early helps you stay compliant, protect service quality and show customers that you value fair pay and great experiences equally.
Changes to employee NIC rates or tax bands affect take home pay and can influence willingness to take overtime. Think tank ideas and media speculation appear in the run up to Budget day, so use confirmed HMRC rates once published.
Positive if rates fall for staff. Potential negative if rates rise or thresholds freeze. Expect more pay packet questions around payday.
Expanded funded childcare hours are being phased in. Access and availability vary by region and by provider capacity.
Positive for parents who can return or extend hours. Mixed for employers if shift preferences change or if availability is uneven.
The government is looking at ways to make statutory sick pay fairer and easier to access. One option being discussed is removing the waiting days so that employees can get support from the first day they are off work. Another is removing the lower earnings limit so that more lower-paid workers can qualify.
Nothing is confirmed yet, so it’s worth checking the latest updates on Budget day and as new rules move through Parliament.
Mixed because design changes could increase costs but may reduce presenteeism and improve recovery times.
Government updates student loan interest and repayment thresholds each year. For 2025 to 2026 there are confirmed thresholds for Plans 1, 2 and 4, with Plan 5 coming into repayment from April 2026. Budget decisions could adjust future plans.
Positive or negative depending on the direction of change and the loan plan. Expect queries from early career staff after payroll runs.
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