In this week’s Enews, there is news on the impact of business rates on UK businesses. We also report a big rise in use of the HMRC app and the number of festive self assessment filers to update you on.
Anxiety over business rates hits record high
A third of UK firms are worried about their business rates, according to data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Concern is at its highest since the BCC began keeping track. It is most acute in the hospitality sector, with manufacturing and logistics close behind.
Companies cite cost pressure from business rates as a key reason for increasing prices and delaying expansion of their premises.
The BCC is calling on the Treasury to rethink its plans for business rates as anxiety about changes to the system in April reaches record levels.
While the government has indicated it is considering a rethink on business rates for pubs, BCC research shows the disquiet being felt goes much wider.
Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy and Insights at the BCC, said:
‘The Chancellor recognised in the Autumn Budget that the current system for business rates is broken and holding back growth.
‘But it is becoming increasingly clear that the changes she set out are not balanced and leave some sectors over-exposed.
‘While news of a carve out for pubs is welcome, there are many other smaller hospitality companies facing an existential threat. Meanwhile at the other end of the scale, airports and hotel chains are expected to pay millions more.’
Internet link: BCC website
HMRC app usage surged in 2025
Use of the HMRC app surged last year as millions of users downloaded it for the first time, according to the tax authority’s figures.
HMRC says the app was downloaded 4.2 million last year and people logged in to the app 136 million times, a 20% increase on 2024, reflecting growing confidence in managing tax digitally.
Total annual app users have now surpassed 7.18 million, up from 5.09 million the previous calendar year.
There has also been significant growth from older and retired users, especially checking State Pension forecasts.
Other areas that saw growth were Child Benefit and National Insurance (NI).
Almost 960,000 people used the Child Benefit area of the app in 2025 – 160,000 more than in 2024.
In addition, 383,000 people stored their NI number on the app during 2025, 70,000 more than the previous year.
HMRC says the rise in app use this year reflects its ambition to make it easier for customers to self‑serve on straightforward tasks.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
‘The HMRC app has become one of the quickest and easiest ways to check your tax affairs and we’ve seen even more customers embrace it this year. If you choose to use the app you can access the information you need straight through your phone.’
Internet link: HMRC press release
Over 4,700 file festive self assessment returns on Christmas Day
More than 4,600 self assessment taxpayers filed their tax return on Christmas Day, according to data from HMRC.
In total, 37,435 customers filed between 24 and 26 December. Christmas Eve was the most popular day with 22,350 tax returns filed while Boxing Day saw 10,479 tax returns filed.
The most popular times to file were between 11am and midday on Christmas Eve, between 1pm and 2pm on Christmas Day and between 3pm and 4pm on Boxing Day.
The self assessment deadline is 31 January and HMRC is encouraging taxpayers, who have not yet filed their tax return, to visit GOV.UK to start theirs.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
‘Millions of customers have already completed their tax returns and can start 2026 with one less thing to worry about.
‘For anyone yet to file, don’t leave it until the last minute. Filing now means you know exactly what you owe and have time to arrange payment. Search ‘self assessment’ on GOV.UK to get started.’
Internet link: HMRC press release
