11.12.2025 - Will I need Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme was first announced in the March 2023. The first stage of the scheme launched in October 2023 and it was then gradually rolled out in phases.
So far the scheme has not been fully enforced to allow for a transitional period. However, on 25 February 2026 this transitional period is ending and the scheme will be fully enforced. This will mean that passengers who are required to have an electronic travel authorisation will need to obtain one prior to travelling or risk being refused boarding to their transport to the UK.
What is the Electronic Trav...
03.12.2025 - EU Formally Lists Russia as a High-Risk Country for Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The European Commission 3rd of December 2025 has completed the process of designating Russia as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. What began as internal discussions and draft regulatory planning has now resulted in the European Commission formally adding Russia to the EU’s list of high-risk third countries with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.
This decision requires all EU-regulated financial institutions to apply enhanced due diligence to any transaction connected to Russian individuals or legal entities. Banks will need to strengthen monitoring systems, ve...
28.11.2025 - Key provisions. Budget Statement 26 November 2025
The Chancellor’s latest Budget arrived after an unusually turbulent build-up. In the hours leading to the speech, numerous supposed “leaks” circulated—many of which ultimately proved inaccurate. This chaotic pre-Budget period left advisers and taxpayers attempting to interpret potential policy shifts that never materialised. One silver lining: several of the most concerning proposals did not go ahead. In particular:
- No restrictions will be placed on lifetime gifting for inheritance tax (IHT) planning.
- Partners in LLPs avoided the predicted National Insurance (NI) hike.
- Pensions, a...
26.11.2025 - Budget 2025: What Rachel Reeves’ First Budget Means for You
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered one of the most consequential budgets in over a decade — a tax-heavy package designed to stabilise the nation’s finances while promising renewed investment in public services. Presented against a backdrop of sluggish productivity and pressure on household incomes, the Budget sets out a clear message: the government is opting for higher taxes rather than deep spending cuts.
Here are the major announcements and what they mean for households, businesses and the wider economy.
The government expects to raise about £26 billion annually through the new tax and ...
20.11.2025 - To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege. And it must be earned
The consultation on extending the period people in certain immigration routes will need to wait before being able to apply for settlement (also referred to as indefinite leave to remain) has been opened.
The consultation document is called “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: A statement and accompanying consultation on earned settlement”. The consultation is open until 11.59pm on 12 February 2026.
People unaffected by the proposals
1. This includes parents, spouses and dependants of British citizens and those in the Hong Kong (BNO) route:
Separately, and not subject to consultation, se...
20.11.2025 - Biggest overhaul of legal migration model in 50 years announced
The biggest shake-up of the legal migration system in nearly half a century will be launched today, designed to reward those who contribute and play by the rules.
Days after announcing the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, the Home Secretary outlines a major shift in the profile of legal migrants that will prioritise those who contribute to the economy and play by the rules.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:
To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege.
Earlier this year, the government announced it would double the permanent settlement...
17.11.2025 - Home Secretary announces major asylum and other changes in new policy paper: “Restoring Order and Control”
Following a plethora of media briefings and coverage over the past few days, the Home Secretary has officially published her policy paper on “Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy“.
The paper is in three sections. Part I: Reducing arrivals, Part II: Increasing removals, and Part III: Safe and legal routes.
Part I: Reducing arrivals
This section begins with an assertion that various factors are acting as “pull factors” for people to come to the UK. These include “the generosity of refugee protection in the UK”, “the extent of support provided” t...
23.10.2025 - New suitability rules will apply to Appendix FM and other human rights applications
One of the biggest changes introduced by 14 October is not so much the replacement of the Part 9 grounds for refusal with a new yet very similar “Part Suitability” but rather the way these rules will now apply in full to the following applications that previously enjoyed carve-outs and exceptions:
- Appendix FM
- Appendix Private Life
- Appendix Adult Dependent Relative
- Appendix Settlement Family Life
There are also other minor amendments, including incorporating the exceptions for overstayers currently found in paragraph 39E into Part Suitability.
These changes take effect...
14.10.2025 - Date set for commencement of new student, graduate and work immigration rules
New immigration rules were published 14.10.2025 affecting a wide range of immigration routes. Most of the changes had already been announced in the earlier immigration white paper but there are a few surprises included in what is formally known as Statement of Changes HC 1333.
Immigration Skills Charge increasing by 32%
The Immigration Skills Charge is levied directly on employers and is a fee per year of a worker’s employment with temporary leave. It was previously set at £1,000 per year in 2017 and will increase to £1,320 per year.
Changes to English language requirements for economic...
30.09.2025 - Draconian HMRC ‘Interaction Register’ Set to Drive Tax Advisers Out of Market, Warns ICAEW
The UK government’s latest plan to introduce a mandatory register for any tax adviser involved in ‘interaction with HMRC’ has come under fierce criticism from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The professional body warns that the proposed legislation will not only impose significant extra costs on the honest majority of advisers but could also force many professionals out of the market, ultimately harming the UK tax system and the country’s competitiveness.
Widespread Industry Alarm
Government proposals, due to take effect from April 2026, would require all t...
