HMRC has published the rates and thresholds for employers for 2026–27. The guidance summarises the 2026–27 rates and thresholds for employers operating a payroll or providing benefits and expenses to their employees. It includes figures and guidance on:

Local Government analysis: The determination of the owner of a hereditament as the person liable for business rates under section 65(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (LGFA 1988) where parties have entered into a rates mitigation scheme involving the creation of leases and subleases involves a single purposive test of identifying the person who in practical terms enjoys an immediate right to possession of the hereditament. Written by Alan Murdie, chairman of Nucleus Legal Advice.

This Practice Note considers the various rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT), including rates of SDLT applicable on transactions involving rent. For general information on when SDLT is applicable, see Practice Note: Land transactions, chargeable interests and chargeable transactions. SDLT ceased to apply to any land transaction involving any interests in or over land in Scotland from 1 April 2015. From that date, land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) applies to such transactions, subject to transitional provisions. Consequently, references in this Practice Note to 'UK land' or similar expressions in the context of the application of SDLT should be read to exclude any interests in or over land in Scotland from 1 April 2015. For further details, see the LBTT subtopic. SDLT ceased to apply to any land transaction involving any interest in or over land in Wales from 1 April 2018. From that date, land transaction tax (LTT) applies to such transactions, subject to transitional provisions. Consequently, references in this Practice Note to 'UK land' or similar expressions in the context of the application of

Employment analysis: According to proposals set out in a Department for Work and Pensions Policy Paper, in April 2018: (1) the rates for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Shared Parental Pay will all increase from £140.98 to £145.18 per week, (2) the rate for Maternity Allowance will increase from £140.98 to £145.18 per week, and (3) the rate for Statutory Sick Pay will increase from £89.35 to £92.05 per week.

Employment analysis: According to a Written Statement to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and proposals set out in a Department for Work and Pensions Policy Paper, on 11 April 2022: (1) the rates for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay, Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Maternity Allowance will all increase from £151.97 to £156.66 per week, and (2) the rate for Statutory Sick Pay will increase from £96.35 to £99.35 per week.

Employment analysis: According to a Statement to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and proposals set out in a Department for Work and Pensions policy paper, in April 2023: (1) the rates for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay, Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Maternity Allowance will all increase from £156.66 to £172.48 per week, and (2) the rate for Statutory Sick Pay will increase from £99.35 to £109.40 per week.

Employment analysis: According to a Statement to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, and proposals set out in a Department for Work and Pensions policy paper, in April 2024: (1) the rates for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay, Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Maternity Allowance will all increase from £172.48 to £184.03 per week, and (2) the rate for Statutory Sick Pay will increase from £109.40 to £116.75 per week.

Ashley Adler, Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Nikil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA have appeared before the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation (FSR) Committee. Rathi has explained that, following stakeholder feedback, the FCA will not take forward the original proposals as set out in CP24/2 - dubbed the ‘name and shame’ proposals. The FCA will publish reframed proposals for consultation in the coming weeks.

Law360, London: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) faced accusations by a House of Lords committee on 15 October 2025 that its proposed motor finance redress scheme gave consumers a 'false understanding' of the redress they can get.

Property analysis: Can a contract for the sale of land still be valid when it is signed by one of the two joint purchasers on the other’s behalf without the latter authorising the signature or subsequently ratifying the contract? Henry Webb, of Selborne Chambers, explains the Court of Appeal's approach in Marlbray v Laditi.

Arbitration analysis: Ratification of the New York Convention does not constitute a clear and unequivocal waiver of State immunity for the purposes of section 2(2) of the State Immunity Act 1978 (SIA 1978). The Court of Appeal held that Article III preserves domestic procedural rules, including State immunity, distinguishing the New York Convention from the ICSID Convention considered in Infrastructure Services. The decision confirms that sovereign immunity remains a significant obstacle to enforcing non-ICSID investment treaty awards in England. It also highlights the continuing importance of comparative international jurisprudence in State immunity disputes and underscores the practical advantages, where available, of pursuing investment arbitration under the ICSID Convention. Produced in partnership with Can Yeginsu of 3 Verulam Buildings (3VB).

The assessment given to debt obligations and/or to borrowers by debt rating agencies based on their ability to repay their debts