November 2025 Business Update from Barnett Ravenscroft Chartered Accountants
As trusted Birmingham accountants, we bring you this November roundup of the latest financial, regulatory and policy developments that may affect you or your business. From cyber security to inheritance tax relief, the landscape continues to evolve — and early action is the key to staying compliant and future-ready.
We will be back in touch with our Autumn Budget Summary next week. But for now, here is your essential business briefing for November 2025.
Cyber Security Is a Board-Level Issue, Says Minister
Cyber threats are now one of the most significant risks to UK businesses, warns Security Minister Dan Jarvis. Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Annual Review, he urged business leaders — including small businesses — to prioritise cyber resilience.
With over 200 serious incidents handled in the past year alone, the figures highlight an urgent need for businesses to act. Key tools now available include:
Cyber Action Toolkit – Ideal for small businesses taking first steps in protection.
Cyber Essentials Certification – A recognised standard that includes liability insurance for businesses under £20m turnover.
Early Warning Service – Alerts about potential cyber threats, used by over 13,000 organisations.
Takedown Service – Has already removed over 1.2 million phishing campaigns.
As Birmingham accountants who support local SMEs, we strongly encourage clients to assess their digital vulnerabilities and act now. Cyber security is no longer just an IT issue — it is a core business risk.
Charity Commission Flags Key Risks for UK Charities
The Charity Commission has released a 2025 sector risk assessment, revealing worrying trends in financial pressure, governance, and trust.
Key findings include:
Rising deficits – 22.5% of charities are spending more than they bring in.
Reliance on reserves – Increasing use of financial reserves to meet costs.
Public trust threats – Isolated but serious incidents continue to damage reputation.
Broader risks – Cyber threats, governance gaps, and geopolitical pressures.
The Commission urges trustees to enhance their forecasting, planning, and financial stewardship. If your charity is based in the West Midlands, our Edgbaston-based team of accountants in Birmingham can assist with everything from forecasting to compliance.
Fair Work Agency Launches April 2026 — Is Your Payroll Ready?
A new Fair Work Agency will launch in April 2026 to tackle worker exploitation and underpayment — especially around minimum wage and holiday pay.
With Matthew Taylor CBE appointed as Chair, the agency will have enforcement powers including:
Workplace inspections
Civil penalties for underpayments
Legal proceedings on behalf of workers
Now is the time to review how your business calculates wages. Nearly 20% of minimum wage workers are believed to be underpaid. Do not get caught out — our payroll specialists at Barnett Ravenscroft can carry out a review to ensure full compliance.
Planned Inheritance Tax Relief Changes from April 2026
Big changes are coming to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) — key areas of Inheritance Tax planning.
From 6 April 2026:
A new £1 million cap will apply to combined BPR and APR.
Relief on values above this threshold will reduce to 50% (down from 100%).
BPR will also be cut to 50% for unlisted shares, including AIM shares.
Example: A £2 million shareholding in an unquoted trading company would currently qualify for 100% BPR — but under the new rules, only £1 million would be fully relieved. The other £1 million would receive just 50% relief, leaving £500,000 taxable.
If you are based in or around Birmingham and hold significant business or agricultural assets, it is essential to review your estate planning. As local tax advisers and Birmingham accountants, we can help assess your exposure and update your Will strategy.
VAT Ruling: When Is a Biscuit ‘Chocolate Covered’?
In a recent VAT ruling, Nutella Biscuits were deemed zero-rated because the internal chocolatey ring was not part of the outer surface.
While this may sound trivial, food product classification can have significant VAT implications. HMRC initially argued the biscuits should be standard-rated due to chocolate content.
If you are launching or selling food products — especially online or in-store — contact our VAT specialists for clarity. We help Birmingham-based businesses understand and apply the correct VAT treatment from the start.
We Are Here to Help
If you would like to discuss any of these topics — from tax changes and inheritance planning to cyber compliance or payroll reviews — our team at Barnett Ravenscroft is here to help. As a trusted firm of chartered accountants in Birmingham, we offer practical, personalised advice to support your business and your future.
🗓 Stay tuned for our Autumn Budget 2025 Summary, arriving next week.