Press releases

ICAEW comment on FRC Key Facts and Trends

Responding to the FRC’s Key Facts and Trends Report, published on Monday 5 October, Dana Day, ICAEW Chief Learning Officer, said:

Business confidence equals record-breaking slump, ICAEW survey shows

UK business confidence has suffered its most prolonged downturn since the global financial crisis, as recovery hopes for Q3 were toppled by a resurgence of geopolitical tensions, a survey of 1,000 business leaders published today has found.

ICAEW comment on FCA sustainability disclosures statement

Commenting on the FCA's policy statement, published on Wednesday 30 September 2026, on the requirement for listed companies to report against UK Sustainability Reporting Standards on a ‘comply or explain’ basis from 1 January 2027, Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, said:

Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting of the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Society of Chartered Accountants

Notice is hereby given that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Society of Chartered Accountants will be held virtually on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 16:00.

Budget must give business breathing space to deliver growth

The Chancellor must use next month’s Budget to give businesses the breathing space they need to deliver growth - including by freezing the business rates multiplier for one year - chartered accountancy body ICAEW has said today.

Triple whammy of geopolitical uncertainty, inflation and rising gilt yields squeeze the public purse

Henning Diederichs, ICAEW Director for Public Sector, responded to the UK public sector finance figures for August 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Tuesday 22 September 2026)

Budget must turn ambition into opportunity for Wales

As businesses across Wales look towards the October Budget, the message from ICAEW members is clear. This Budget is an opportunity for the UK Government to give business the breathing space it needs to deliver growth.

ICAEW issues advice to taxpayers on expected record 1.8 million simple assessment letters

Chartered accountancy body, ICAEW, has today, Monday 21 September, issued advice for the record 1.8 million taxpayers who could be receiving a simple assessment letter from HMRC.

Interest rates at critical cliff-edge moment as door opens to November hike

Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, responded to today’s interest rate decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (Thursday 17 September 2026).

The Rt. Hon. Justine Greening receives ICAEW’s outstanding achievement award

The Rt. Hon. Justine Greening has been awarded ICAEW’s Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in public service and work on social mobility.

Hotter August inflation hardens hawkish case, but no rate rise tomorrow

Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, responds to the UK inflation figures for August 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday 16 September 2026.

Low-hire, low-fire labour market the last line of defence against rate hike

Responding to the latest UK labour market figures, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Tuesday 15 September 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said that The UK labour market remains locked in a low-hire, low-fire funk.

September rate hike unlikely despite July GDP confounding expectations

Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, responds to the UK GDP figures for July 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics on Friday 11 September 2026.

ICAEW comment on Modernising Corporate Reporting

Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, commented on the government’s Modernising Corporate Reporting consultation, published on Monday 7 September 2026.

ICAEW responds to Chancellor’s growth speech

Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, responds to the Chancellor’s speech on growth on Monday 7 September 2026.

September deadlines approach for pensioners to opt out of winter fuel payments

Pensioners who wish to opt out of receiving the winter fuel payment for 2026/27 must take action in the coming weeks, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has advised.

Robust safeguards needed for proposed persistent tax debt recovery by automated access of taxpayer bank accounts, warns ICAEW

Robust safeguards will be needed if plans to automate the recovery of lower-value tax debts from taxpayers who have persistently not engaged with HMRC go ahead, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has warned.

Hope springs eternal, but Wales must seize the moment

There is an old saying that "hope springs eternal". In business, however, hope alone is never enough. Optimism must be backed by investment, ambition and a willingness to grasp new opportunities when they emerge.

ICAEW comments on ONS public sector finance data

Commenting on the public sector finance release for July 2026 published by the Office for National Statistics today (Friday 21 August 2026), Henning Diederichs, ICAEW Director for Public Sector, said:

ICAEW: New VAT relief for social housing could unlock golden brick delays

The introduction of a new, targeted VAT relief would help reduce costs and avoid delays in building new social housing, said chartered accountancy body ICAEW in its response to government proposals.

July inflation reacceleration reignites the prospect of further rate rises

Responding to the UK inflation figures for July 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Wednesday 19 August 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said that July inflation reacceleration reignites the prospect of further rate rises.

ICAEW: introducing a criminal offence for making untrue tax declarations risks disincentivising voluntary tax disclosures

The proposed introduction of a criminal offence for recklessly making statements or declarations in relation to their corporate or personal tax affairs risks causing confusion for taxpayers and disincentivising voluntary tax disclosures, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has warned.

September rate rise odds recede as UK jobs market stuck in ‘low-churn limbo’

Responding to the latest UK labour market figures, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Tuesday 18 August 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said:

ICAEW: Mandating direct debit payments of VAT and PAYE risks removing businesses’ autonomy over cash flow

Proposals to mandate payments of VAT and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax liabilities by direct debit would remove crucial payment safeguards and the control that businesses and employers currently have over their cash flow and processes, said chartered accountancy body ICAEW.

September rate hike unlikely as Q2 GDP resilience comes with an asterisk

Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, responds to the latest UK GDP figures, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Thursday 13 August 2026).

Compliance costs should not outweigh the benefit of using recycled packaging, warns ICAEW

Chartered accountancy body ICAEW has urged caution on the introduction of a universal mandatory certification requirement for mechanically recycled plastic packaging, which it said could deter businesses from using recycled packaging.

Plans to reform the collection of self assessed income tax would confuse taxpayers and overburden employers

Government proposals to mandate more regular instalments of self assessment income tax via pay as you earn (PAYE) risk confusing taxpayers and adding unnecessary costs for employers, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has said.

UK interest rates on a knife edge following hawkish July rate hold

Responding to today’s interest rate decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (Thursday 30 July 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said:

Why collaboration must drive Wales’s next chapter

The Senedd election is now behind us, the UK has a new Prime Minister, and a fresh chapter in Welsh public policy is beginning. With new administrations taking shape and priorities being set, there is a renewed opportunity to focus on what matters most: delivering sustainable economic growth for Wales.

CCAB launches AI hub boosting knowledge on ethical AI use

The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) – a combined group of five accounting bodies – has launched a new AI hub, aiming to boost knowledge on the ethical use of AI.

ICAEW recommends additional safeguarding measures on cryptoassets

ICAEW has recommended additional safeguarding measures on specified investment cryptoassets in its response to the call for input from the FCA and Bank of England on the future of tokenisation.

ICAEW comments on tax measures in Prime Minister's first week of office

Commenting on the VAT cut on domestic electricity bills announced on Tuesday 21 July 2026, Ed Saltmarsh, ICAEW Tax Technical Manager said:

ICAEW: Business confidence slumps across UK as Iran war impact laid bare

Business confidence fell in almost all UK nations and regions in Q2 as the fallout from the Iran war continued to wreak havoc on firms, a survey of business leaders has found.

North East BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

Kim Johnson, ICAEW Regional Director for the North East, gives her insight on the 2026 Q2 Business Confidence Monitor Report.

South West BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

Rowena Hawkes, ICAEW Regional Director for the South West, gives her insight on the 2026 Q2 Business Confidence Monitor Report.

South East BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

Meghan Doyle, ICAEW Regional Director South East, discusses insights for the South East region from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) Q2 2026.

London BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

As the latest Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows confidence in London moving back into negative territory, members in the region share their experiences of continuing uncertainty around economic conditions, rising employment and operating costs, and pressure on profitability.

Wales BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, ICAEW Director Wales, discusses insights for Wales from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) Q2 2026.

Scotland BCM Q2 Regional Directors insights

Kim Johnston, ICAEW Regional Director Scotland, discusses insights for the Scotland region from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) Q2 2026.

Yorkshire and the Humber BCM Q2 Regional Director's insights

Kim Johnston, ICAEW Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber, discusses insights for the Yorkshire and Humber region from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) Q2 2026.

New Chancellor facing ‘notable’ inflation headache despite June slowdown

Responding to the UK inflation figures for June 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Wednesday 22 July 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said:

ICAEW members could back Burnham’s regional investment plans, but urge him not to repeat tax missteps

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham could receive support for his regional growth ambitions but he must first tackle Britain’s burgeoning tax burden, new polling from chartered accountancy body ICAEW, published today, has revealed.

Fragile labour market shuts door on July rate rise

Responding to the latest UK labour market figures, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Tuesday 21 July 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said:

MSCA Legacy and Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity announce 2026 awards for GM students

Extended support also confirmed for financial education charity Money Ready
July 2026: MSCA Legacy Limited, in partnership with the Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity (CALC), has announced its latest round of nine awards for students at Greater Manchester’s three key universities.

ICAEW: no more business tax rises

Commenting on Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister, Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, said:

Incoming PM’s difficult economic inheritance confirmed as dishearteningly weak May GDP strengthens stagflation risks

Responding to the UK GDP figures for May 2026, released by the Office for National Statistics today (Thursday 16 July 2026), Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, said:

Social Mobility: Getting Talent Through The Door Is Not Enough

The accountancy profession has made significant strides in widening access over the past decade. Across Yorkshire and the Humber, firms are working harder than ever to recruit talent from a broader range of socio-economic backgrounds. School outreach programmes, apprenticeship pathways, contextual recruitment and partnerships with organisations focused on social mobility, such as Ahead Partnerships and Access Accountancy, are increasingly becoming part of the mainstream.

ICAEW Appoints Three Regulatory Board Members

ICAEW has today announced the appointment of three new members to its regulatory board. Jane Fowler, Marina Gibbs and Julie Hendry, were appointed to the ICAEW Regulatory Board (IRB) at the beginning of July for an initial three-year term.

Five Tips to Be Ready for Making Tax Digital

Chartered accountancy body ICAEW has today (Tuesday 7 July), provided five tips on Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax to taxpayers who need to submit their first quarterly update next month.

Confidence slumps to near four-year low as businesses nurse painful Iran war hangover

Business confidence in the UK has sunk to a near four-year low as firms count the mounting cost of the Iran war, a survey of 1,000 business leaders published today has found.