Insights

Grant funding remains a valuable source of nondilutive finance for UK businesses developing innovative products, processes and services. However, the funding landscape has changed. Some longstanding programmes have been paused, while others, notably Horizon Europe, are now firmly re-established and open to UK applicants. For SMEs, scaleups and large companies, securing grant funding now requires a more targeted and strategic approach than in previous years.

One in three UK charities were targets of fraud in 2025, and whilst this is the lowest level in five years, the impact fraud has on reputational damage, financial loss and internal fraud remains a top concern. To mitigate the future risk and impact of fraudulent activity, there are several meaningful steps charities of all sizes can take to build resilience and safeguard their resources.

The merged R&D expenditure credit (RDEC) scheme (“the merged scheme”) is now well-established, and serves as the primary R&D incentive for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 April 2024. For most seasoned claimants the focus has now shifted from understanding the legislation to dealing with its practical consequences.

Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) have become an increasingly popular succession planning tool, supported by government tax incentives and the promise of employee engagement. But when an EOT-owned business enters the M&A market, the dynamics shift significantly. For buyers, these transactions present unique challenges compared to a traditional deal.

We’ve worked extensively on EOT transactions, helping businesses set up trusts, advising on valuations, and guiding both buyers and sellers through complex negotiations. Here, we explore what makes these deals different and why specialist advice is crucial.

As the current UK tax year draws to a close, our US/UK tax experts have highlighted the key tax considerations for Americans living in the UK who are looking to minimise their global tax bill.

R&D tax credits provide tax relief based on the R&D costs that your company incurs and can be used to either reduce the amount of corporation tax your company pays, or to receive cash back from HMRC. They’re important when it comes to cash planning and maximising your business’s EBITDA.

Many innovative businesses with protected intellectual property (IP) are missing out on the benefits available to them through the Patent Box scheme. The UK’s generous Patent Box scheme can support ongoing innovation in businesses but only if the business has a clear idea of eligibility and IP structural planning to ensure they can elect to the scheme and maximise the benefit. Given the complexities and our experiences with businesses to identify the potential tax benefits of using this incentive, we describe the common pitfalls to avoid when reviewing eligibility.

Being proactive with your finances can make a meaningful difference to your financial position over the long term. With the end of the tax year approaching, static or shrinking allowances and frozen thresholds mean more people are paying more tax, and potentially more than they need to.