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News

Up-to-date coverage of all that is happening in the worlds of accountancy and finance. Analysis and insights of the latest trends affecting the profession along with podcasts and videos offering fresh perspectives on accountancy.
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Graphical illustration of the five institutional pillars ICAEW has identified as being crucial to reforming UK tax system: policymakers, administration, digital infrastructure, tax professional and judiciary.
Tom Pugh, Chief Economist, RSM UK
Insights special

How to build a better tax system

The Tax Faculty is looking what is needed to deliver a better tax system in the UK. Thought leadership on five key areas will be published in 2026.
Read more
Behind the Numbers

Is there really a growing AI bubble?

Will the AI bubble burst? This episode covers the signs of a potential AI bubble and the key considerations and safeguards businesses should keep in mind when adopting AI software.
Listen now

Latest news

Chart of the week: tax and spending by age
  • 16 Jul 2026
Our chart this week looks at how tax and spending vary across age groups and what that means for the latest long-term fiscal projections recently published by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
Setting up an AI agent correctly part 2: six safeguards
  • 16 Jul 2026
Once you’ve done the initial set up and training of AI agents, it’s important to ensure that guardrails are in place to avoid any rogue behaviour. We outline six ways to prevent problems.
Blue screen illustration of world map with arrows up and down
2026 six months in: international insights
  • 14 Jul 2026
ICAEW offers insights into the key issues facing members around the world, from the growing demand for international expertise in China to the mandating of climate-related financial disclosures in Australia.
Suren Thiru, ICAEW Director Economies
2026 six months in: Iran leaves us with weak growth
  • 14 Jul 2026
ICAEW’s Chief Economist, Suren Thiru looks at how the global uncertainty caused by the conflict in Iran might impact the profession and wider economy.

Latest tax news

Timetable for mandatory agent registration confirmed
  • 15 Jul 2026
Regulations made on 13 July 2026 confirm the timetable for mandatory agent registration with HMRC and explain the position for advisers that have an agent services account (ASA).
Tax news in brief 15 July 2026
  • 15 Jul 2026
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 15 July 2026, including an update from HMRC on the use of incorrect state pension figures in tax calculations.
Opinions mixed on HMRC performance for 2025/26
  • 14 Jul 2026
HMRC answered calls and responded to post more quickly in 2025/26 than in previous years. However, a survey of agents and taxpayers suggests that the quality of HMRC’s services continues to fall short of expected standards.
Government publishes draft Finance Bill legislation
  • 14 Jul 2026
The government has published draft legislation confirming several policy announcements made at tax update 2026 and earlier, as well as new consultations on a range of areas, including the taxation of predevelopment costs.

Podcasts

Tom Pugh, Chief Economist, RSM UK
Is there really a growing AI bubble?
  • 15 Jul 2026
Will the AI bubble burst? This episode covers the signs of a potential AI bubble and the key considerations and safeguards businesses should keep in mind when adopting AI software.
Stephen Relf, Tax Technical Manager, ICAEW
New tax requirements for companies and directors
  • 08 Jul 2026
HMRC is increasing scrutiny of close companies and their directors. This episode covers new 2025/26 self assessment reporting requirements for directors and proposed additional reporting for close companies.
Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEW and Philippa Lamb
Looking ahead: HMRC’s digital moves and impacts of Iran war
  • 01 Jul 2026
Six months into 2026, what’s next? Suren Thiru discusses the economy and the Iran War, while Lindsey Wicks oulines the biggest changes that HMRC are bringing in. Finally, Junaidy Ab-Mutalib considers the impacts of world affairs on accountants.

Videos

Showcasing recent news-related video content from ICAEW.
Displaying 1-5 of 43 results
2026 six months in: economic impact of Iran war
2026 six months in: economic impact of Iran war
  • 14 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:29
ICAEW's Chief Economist, Suren Thiru, looks at how global uncertainty might impact the profession and wider economy.
2026: what's next for Companies House reform?
2026: what's next for Companies House reform?
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:48
Sally Baker, ICAEW's Corporate Reporting Director, brings members up to date on which Companies House policy changes are still in motion, and how it will affect them.
2026: a flurry of tax surprises
2026: a flurry of tax surprises
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:39
At the half-way point of 2026, ICAEW's Senior Tax Technical Manager, Lindsey Wicks, brings members up to speed on what to expect, and the likely impacts of postponed changes and unexpected announcements.
2026: AI and sustainability assurance on the way
2026: AI and sustainability assurance on the way
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:03:05
What critical events are happening in auditing in the second half of 2026, and how can members prepare? Find out from ICAEW's Audit and Assurance Director Alex Russell.
You can help rebuild the UK tax system
You can help rebuild the UK tax system
  • 26 Jun 2026
  • 00:03:09
The Tax Faculty is exploring how the tax system can be rebuilt. We want to hear from as many people as possible on what they think are the problems and potential solutions. Hear from our volunteers on what we’ve achieved so far and how you can help.
Displaying 1-5 of 43 results

The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.

Charts of the week

Chart of the week: tax and spending by age
  • Article
  • 16 Jul 2026
Our chart this week looks at how tax and spending vary across age groups and what that means for the latest long-term fiscal projections recently published by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Chart of the week: Defence Investment Plan
Chart of the week: Defence Investment Plan
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2026
Our chart this week looks at how the £15.0bn of new defence investment announced by the government turns out to be a £2.9bn a year increase in the annual defence budget.
chart
Chart of the week: Canada’s federal finances
  • Article
  • 03 Jul 2026
Our chart this week honours Canada Day, and a historic knock-out stage win by Canada in the men’s World Cup, by taking a look at the finances of the Canadian federal government.

News specials

A listing of one-off News specials that focus on a particular subject, interviewing the key people, identifying developing trends and examining the underlying issues.

Graphical illustration of the five institutional pillars ICAEW has identified as being crucial to reforming UK tax system: policymakers, administration, digital infrastructure, tax professional and judiciary.
How to build a better tax system
  • 29 Jun 2026
The UK tax system is failing, weighed down by decades of accumulated complexity. ICAEW has identified five pillars critical to creating a system fit for the future and wants members views on potential solutions.
Cheery tree with blossom
Mental health and wellbeing
  • 07 May 2026
There is now a far greater understanding that we should look after our mental health with the same care as our physical health. Discover ICAEW's and caba's resources for maintaining your mental health..
Road winding through hilly countryside at dusk with car lights blurred on road.
2026 six months in
  • 14 Jul 2026
Accountants face some significant challenges, but also some key opportunities in the second half of 2026. Hear from ICAEW experts on the important issues that members need to be thinking about over the coming months.

Featured sections

Diversity and Inclusion
ICAEW is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. In this hub we bring together timely D&I resources on the protected characteristics of the Equality Act, along with our latest news into diversity in the profession.
Regulatory News
A round-up of regulatory and conduct updates and communications from the ICAEW Professional Standards Department.
Sponsored content
Hear what our partners are saying on topical issues impacting the accountancy profession.
News and Insights index
This page provides an entry point to the articles that have formed the daily, monthly and weekly member emails, arranged by section and month. It also contains an index of themed news and the Quarterly magazine.
News archive
In this section you can read some of the best material that was in ICAEW's monthly magazine, Economia, as well as from the Insights section published in 2020-2022.

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