The number of UK freelancers fell significantly during the pandemic but new research has found that businesses are now willing to "pay whatever it takes" to get top freelance talent amid staff shortages.

The Institute of Directors has written to the chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak urging him to rethink April's planned rise in National Insurance contributions - which it dubs a "jobs tax".

The Help to Grow: Digital scheme has opened for applications, providing small businesses with discounts of up to £5,000 on approved software as well as advice on digital skills.

The government has reintroduced the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme but new research suggests that businesses have already saved more than £300 million on sick pay because staff that work from home don't take as much time off.

New research by FreeAgent has found that 64% of Brits have plans to start their own business in the future - significantly up from the 51% who said the same in last year's poll.

A new poll of business owners has found that a greater focus on work-life balance and a rise in side hustles are key business trends for 2022; however, worries about inflation remain.

For the second year running, HMRC has announced an extension meaning anyone who cannot file their tax return by the 31 January 2022 deadline will not receive a late filing penalty.

HMRC has reminded self assessment customers to declare any COVID-19 grant payments, including SEISS, on their 2020/21 tax return.

A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses has found that almost one in ten UK firms say the late payment crisis is threatening their survival and it predicts that as many as 440,000 businesses could close their doors in the coming year.