Business Talks

What does the Autumn Budget 2026 mean for UK businesses and their owners?

In this episode of Saffery’s Business Talks podcast, Tom Alun-Jones is joined by Adam Kay to cut through the detail of the Chancellor’s announcements and explore what they could mean in practice.

They discuss changes to capital allowances and business investment, employee share incentives, R&D tax relief and VAT, as well as the new Founders’ Relief and changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief.

They also look beyond the immediate Budget announcements to the changes businesses need to prepare for in 2027 and beyond, including the move to payroll benefits in kind, which Adam Kay highlights as a key priority for employers in the months ahead.

With practical insights into when businesses may need to act, the episode considers whether this was ultimately a Budget for growth or, as Adam Kay puts it, more of a “steady-as-she-goes” Budget focused on stability.

For further analysis of the Autumn Budget 2026, visit Saffery’s Budget hub.

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This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

In this episode of Business Talks, hosts Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas are joined by Alastair Loasby, Saffery’s Director of Sustainability and ESG, to explain what the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) are trying to achieve and consider the practical steps your business needs to take.

They discuss:
- What sustainability means in the context of long-term business strategies
- How UK SRS links to ISSB and IFRS S1 and S2
- The current UK reporting landscape, including TCFD and SECR
- What S1 and S2 require across governance, strategy and risk management
- Why adoption is likely to be staggered, and where Scope 3 fits in
- How investor and supply chain pressure can accelerate 'voluntary' reporting

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

The UK’s new Employment Rights Act is not just a minor HR tweak; it represents the most significant overhaul of employment law in recent years. These reforms are set to reshape how employers recruit, manage probation, respond to flexible working and handle dismissals for many years to come.

In this episode of Business Talks, hosts Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas sit down with employment law expert Dan Begbie-Clench, Employment Law Partner at Doyle Clayton. Together, they discuss complex legislative changes and give their insight on the key points that businesses need to know. They explore:

• Why the legislation has been introduced,
• Which employer practices it aims to address,
• The major changes, particularly around unfair dismissal, qualifying periods and compensation caps,
• Which sectors and employee groups may be most affected, and
• Practical steps employers can take now to prepare.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

As of 1 January 2026, significant changes to FRS 102 came into effect marking the biggest update to UK GAAP in more than a decade. 

But what does this actually mean for your bottom line and your reporting process?

The revisions aim to enhance the quality and consistency of UK financial reporting by aligning key areas – notably revenue, leases, and small entity disclosures – more closely with IFRS.

In our first episode of the year, co-hosts Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas are joined by Technical and Training Partner, Anna Hicks, to discuss what the new rules mean in practice, including:

• The purpose of the changes and understanding the regulator’s move toward global alignment.
• The areas of financial reporting most affected,
• The industries likely to feel the impact, and
• Practical steps to support year end reporting under the new rules.

Whether you're a CFO, an auditor, or a business owner, this episode is a must listen to ensure you aren't just reacting to the changes, but staying ahead of them.

Here are some useful articles for a deeper dive:

• FRS 102 changes
• The latest ECCTA accounts reform: what you need to know
• Changes to UK GAAP – how they might affect your business
• Company size thresholds: expected increases and potential impacts on your business

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

We unpack how the Autumn Budget changes investment reliefs, hiring costs and compliance, trading a single headline for many smaller moves with real cash impacts. We share clear actions for capital allowances, EMI and EIS/VCT use, transfer pricing readiness and payroll risk.

In this Business Talks podcast episode, Tom Alun-Jones, Zoe Thomas, and Adam Kay break down what these changes mean for UK businesses and share practical insights. They discuss:

• Capital allowances changes – including the new 40% first-year allowance and why timing matters,
• Employee incentives – updates to EMI and EIS/VCT schemes,
• Compliance reforms – from transfer pricing simplification to ICTS reporting, and
• Corporate Interest Restriction (CIR) simplification – what’s changing and the new penalty to watch out for.

Additionally, don’t miss our full Budget analysis which is available on our website.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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Email: [email protected] 

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

In this episode of Business Talks, our new hosts, Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas sit down with tax director Victoria Baguley-Wood to unpack the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE), which is a key legal requirement for overseas entities owning UK property.

Victoria breaks down what the legislation covers, the risks of non-compliance, and the privacy challenges property owners face. Tom and Zoe also share how Saffery helps clients navigate the process with a full-service ROE solution, from verification through to annual filings.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the ROE is and who it applies to
• How to avoid fines of up to £50,000 per property
• What trust structures mean for your reporting
• Why Saffery is among the few firms offering complete ROE support

Whether you're buying, selling, or holding UK property through an overseas entity, this episode is essential listening.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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Email: [email protected] 

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

Partnership life has evolved dramatically over the past 20 years, shifting from traditional equity models to diverse structures that include salary partners, fixed-share partners, and corporate entities. Modern partners are senior leaders who set culture, drive business forward, and create environments where people can succeed.

In this episode of Business Talks, host is joined by Andrew Hedley, Director of Hedley Consulting, to explore what partnership really looks like in the 2020s. Together, they unpack:

•How partnership models have evolved across law, accountancy, and property,
•The personal and professional shifts that come with becoming a partner, 
•The tensions between tradition and transformation in today’s firms, and
•What aspiring partners should consider before making the leap.

Whether you're already in a leadership role or thinking about the next step, this episode offers practical insights and honest reflections on navigating the journey.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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Email: [email protected] 

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

Could your company be missing out on a valuable tax relief?

In this engaging discussion, host Jamie Lane and tax specialist Rachel Chappell dive into the world of R&D tax credits, revealing why businesses across all sectors should be paying attention. They explore:

• What qualifies as R&D (it’s broader than you think!)
• How to avoid common pitfalls and HMRC scrutiny
• The hidden power of the Patent Box regime
• Strategic ways to use R&D relief to drive long-term growth

Whether you're a startup, scale-up, or established company, this episode is packed with tips on how to unlock value, boost innovation, and navigate recent changes to the regime.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

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This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

In our latest episode, we're tackling a crucial compliance issue for UK businesses: the Corporate Criminal Offence (CCO) of failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion.

Host, Jamie Lane, is joined by Zoe Thomas, Head of Corporate Tax, to discuss the impact of these regulations for businesses of all sizes. They discuss:

• What the CCO legislation covers,
• Why HMRC is increasing enforcement,
• What ‘reasonable steps’ really look like, and
• How to protect your business from liability.

Whether you're concerned about employee actions, supply chain risks, or the implications for business transactions like mergers and acquisitions, this discussion offers essential guidance on understanding your obligations and putting the right procedures in place.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

Saffery official website

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saffery

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Email: [email protected] 

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.

Sustainability and ESG are now essential considerations for businesses of all sizes, but rapidly evolving reporting requirements mean there are a number of strategic implications to consider.

Yi Zheng, a sustainability and ESG specialist at Saffery joins host, Jamie Lane, to explain current and upcoming reporting frameworks and explore how sustainability can create business value that is far beyond compliance. They discuss:

• What sustainability and ESG actually mean – and their relevance to your business,
• How sustainable practices drive both positive impact and business value,
• The importance of setting clear objectives for your sustainability initiatives, and
• Current reporting frameworks applicable to businesses of all sizes.

Note: Listen to our previous podcast on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion that Jamie references at the end of this episode, here.

For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/

Saffery official website

Visit saffery.com

Follow Saffery online

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saffery

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saffery_uk/

Email: [email protected] 

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute formal tax advice. Professional advice should be sought based on individual circumstances.