Flights leaving the UK will now be greener due to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate coming into force on January 1st. For all jet fuel used in flights taking off from the UK in 2025, 2% must be SAF. This percentage will increase by 2 percentage points each year so that it is 10% by 2030 and then 22% by 2040.

The benefits of exercise on our physical and mental health are well known. The healthier and fitter we are the better we work on our business. A healthier, fitter workforce are also much more likely to be productive and happier. Yet, many of us struggle to find the time or energy to do enough exercise.

January can often be the time of year when entrepreneurs start to make plans for a new business. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published some guidance to help entrepreneurs think about data protection when setting up their business, so they get it right from the start.

Recent immigration enforcement activity has highlighted the need for employers to ensure their workers have the right to work in the UK. With thousands of enforcement visits, arrests, and hefty fines being issued, businesses that neglect their responsibilities risk serious consequences.

The government has announced that it will provide an additional £5 million of support to Bradford, which is the 2025 UK City of Culture. The funds, which bring total support provided to £15 million, will be used to help in delivering a programme of events and support a legacy of cultural regeneration. It is expected that 6,500 jobs will be created in the area as a result of Bradford being UK City of Culture.

The government has unveiled some significant reforms to employment support, underpinned by a £240 million investment. The measures aim to address deep-rooted issues of unemployment, economic inactivity, and barriers to work, as detailed in the recently published Get Britain Working White Paper.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued a reminder to be careful about scam attempts that target people filing Self Assessment tax returns. In the last year, nearly 150,000 scam attempts were referred to HMRC, a 16.7% increase on last year. With the 31 January 2025 filing deadline approaching, fraudsters are likely to step up their activities.

The government’s promised new Fair Payments Code was launched last month to try and tackle late payment problems that can be particularly harmful to small businesses. The code introduces a gold, silver, and bronze system that smaller firms can use to identify business partners who have made themselves accountable to pay fairly and within certain time limits.