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October 2026

Accounting, Tax & Business Insights — October 2026

Published 4 October 2026

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Welcome to this month's MR Associates briefing. Below is a curated round-up of the most relevant UK tax, accounting, legal and regulatory updates affecting SMEs and their advisers.

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On the topic of: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — are you ready for April 2026 onwards?
On the topic of: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — are you ready for April 2026 onwards?

Suppliers pile pressure on government over energy bills

BBC Business News

The Update: Businesses face ongoing pressure on energy bills, with suppliers pushing the government for intervention to support struggling customers, including SMEs. This indicates the energy cost issue remains a significant concern. Action Required: - Continue to monitor your energy consumption and explore efficiency measures. - Budget for potentially high energy costs in the short to medium term.

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UK diesel prices top £2 a litre for first time, RAC says

BBC Business News

The Update: UK diesel prices have surpassed £2 a litre for the first time, reflecting rising global oil prices. This directly impacts your operational costs if your business relies on transportation or diesel-powered machinery. Action Required: - Review and update your transport and logistics budgets to account for increased fuel costs. - Explore fuel efficiency measures or alternative transport solutions where viable to mitigate impact.

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Guidance: Child Benefit: service availability and issues

HMRC News

The Update: HMRC has issued guidance on Child Benefit service availability and known issues. This doesn't directly impact your business operations or finances. Action Required: - No direct action needed for your SME, as this relates to personal tax matters for your employees, not your business.

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