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For many owners, Companies House feels like a background obligation. You file what needs to be filed, pay the fee, and return your attention to running the business. For years, that approach has generally been sufficient, but from 2026, it will no longer be. Companies House is moving from being a largely passive registry to a more active gatekeeper, with a clear policy aim: improving the reliability of the register and reducing misuse and fraud. The

Many regulatory changes apply only to specific sectors. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) is different as it applies directly to founders who operate as sole traders, landlords, or both. Although MTD is a tax initiative, its practical impact is primarily commercial and operational. It affects how records are kept, how founders work with their accountant or bookkeeper, and how much management time is absorbed by compliance throughout the year. In this article, I unpack some frequently asked questions and provide a readiness plan for

Consumer protection law is set to feature prominently on the regulatory agenda this year. In the UK, elements of the new subscription contracts regime introduced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) are expected to come into force. At the same time, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is likely to begin testing its expanded enforcement powers under the Act, particularly in relation to unfair commercial practices. At the EU level, the European Commission’s recently published 2030 Consumer Agenda is expected to

If you run a small or growing business, it is easy to assume that regulatory change is something that happens only in large corporates, regulated sectors, or organisations with compliance teams and board sub-committees. But that is not the case in 2026, and SMEs are encouraged to take note. The changes coming into force this year land squarely where SMEs feel them most acutely: people, cashflow, systems, customer journeys, and day-to-day governance. However, reassuringly, none of what follows is unmanageable. Provided it is

Running a small business in the UK has always taken grit and creativity, but recent months have tested owners on another front: regulation. New rules on employment, online safety, corporate transparency, environmental levies and data protection have, and continue to, reshape the small-business landscape at speed. Missing a deadline can mean fines, reputational damage and a scramble to retrofit processes. This article maps the most important legal changes already in force, those arriving over the next 18 months, and the smartest ways to stay