Mundy & Co.

24/08/2026

UK vacancies fall to lowest level since 2014 as hiring slows

The UK jobs market showed fresh signs of strain in the latest labour market figures, published by the Office for National Statistics on 18 August 2026.

Job vacancies fell to an estimated 707,000 in the three months to July, down 6,000 (0.8%) on the previous quarter. Outside the pandemic period, that’s the lowest vacancy count since September to November 2014. The ONS said feedback from its Vacancy Survey pointed to smaller firms holding back on recruitment because of rising labour and operating costs.

Despite the weaker hiring picture, the headline unemployment rate held at 4.9% for people aged 16 and over in the April to June quarter, up 0.2 percentage points on the year, but down 0.1 points on the previous quarter. The employment rate for 16- to 64-year-olds stood at 75.1%, while economic inactivity was largely unchanged at 20.9%.

On pay, annual growth in regular earnings (excluding bonuses) in Great Britain was 3.5% in April to June, with total earnings (including bonuses) up 4.1%. The gap between sectors was stark: public sector regular pay grew 6.1%, reflecting the timing of NHS pay awards, while private sector growth slowed to 2.8%. Adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH), regular pay rose just 0.5% in real terms.

Separately, payrolled employee numbers continued their two-year downward trend, falling 78,000 (0.3%) year-on-year to 30.3 million by June, with an early estimate suggesting a similar picture into July.

Taken together, the data points to a labour market that remains subdued rather than in freefall; steady unemployment but weakening demand for new hires and softer private sector wage growth.

See - https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/august2026

18/08/2026

Earning between £60,000 and £80,000? Claiming Child Benefit?

Our new High Income Child Benefit Charge digital service lets you pay through your salary – no need for Self Assessment.

Find out more on the HMRC app or online. 📲

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app?&utm_source=f.co_hmrcgovuk&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hicbc&utm_content=q2

13/08/2026

HMRC remind parents to use the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme

HMRC is using Playday, the national day for play, to remind working parents about Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which can help eligible families meet the cost of nurseries, childminders, holiday clubs, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

Employers can also support working parents by promoting the scheme. It can help improve employee wellbeing, especially during school holidays. Childcare costs can place a significant financial burden on families at these times.

Families can save up to £2,000 per child

- The government adds £2 for every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. Families can receive up to £2,000 a year for each child. The maximum rises to £4,000 a year for a disabled child.

- Families can receive up to £500 in top-up payments every three months. This rises to £1,000 for a disabled child.

- Parents can open an account for each eligible child. They can then use the funds to pay approved childcare providers.

- HMRC says nearly 75,000 childcare providers now accept payments through the scheme.

- Approved childcare includes nurseries, childminders, holiday clubs, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

- Tax-Free Childcare can also help families with older children. HMRC reports that use of the scheme among children aged eight and over has risen by more than 20% compared with the previous year.

Eligibility

Families may qualify if they:

• Have a child aged 11 or under, or a disabled child aged up to 16.

• Each earn at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average. This includes the parent’s partner, if they have one.

• Each earn no more than £100,000 a year.

• Do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

Once parents open an account, they can use the funds straight away or they can also save them for future childcare costs and parents can withdraw unused money at any time.

Families can use Tax-Free Childcare alongside government-funded childcare hours, if they qualify.

To find out more and apply, see: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

🔐 Companies House Identity Verification

Company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) are now required to verify their identity with Companies House.

You can complete the identity check directly through the official GOV.UK service here:

👉 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house

Need help? Call our office on 01458 571234.

Mundy & Co is a registered ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) and can carry out Companies House identity verification on your behalf.

We also offer a full Company Secretarial service, helping with Companies House filings and ongoing company administration.

If you've completed identity verification, you can check your status on the Companies House register. ✅

1. Search for your company on the register.
2. Click on the people tab.
3. Look for identity verification status – if you’ve got a green tick, you’ve completed identity verification.
4. Don’t forget to check your people with significant control too!

If you've not yet completed the process, your 'due from' and 'due by' dates will be shown.

11/08/2026

Are you a sole trader or landlord in Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Somerton or the surrounding area?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is now here.

It already applies to some sole traders and landlords, and many more will need to join from April 2027.

If you're unsure whether it applies to you, haven't got everything set up yet, or simply don't want the extra hassle, we can help.

Mundy & Co can handle everything for you, or simply get you set up and show you what you need to do - keeping it straightforward and your accountancy costs under control.

📍 Local accountants based in Street, Somerset
📞 01458 571234
🌐 www.mundyandco.uk

Book your free appointment now.

Missed the Making Tax Digital quarterly update deadline?

If your combined turnover from self-employment and property was over £50,000 in the 24/25 tax year, you need to send your first quarterly update.

Act now. ⬇️
https://makingtaxdigital.campaign.gov.uk/?&utm_source=f.co_hmrcgovuk&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mtd

11/08/2026

We are installing new phone systems and our phones are temporarily offline. Please email [email protected] and we will get back to you asap.

10/08/2026

📜 Street Through the Years

📷 Photo: Street High Street - a postcard postmarked in 1903.

Shared with kind permission from Terry Maine of the Facebook group Street, Somerset - photo's through the ages.

If you enjoy local history, do visit the group for many more fascinating photographs and stories:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/streetsomerset/

10/08/2026

Date of Budget 2026 announced

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, has announced that Budget 2026 will be presented on 28 October 2026.

Announcing the date, the Chancellor said that the Budget will ‘move money and power out of Westminster, and into every postcode around Britain’.

He also stressed that the government would continue to meet its fiscal rules, adding that the Budget would provide businesses and families with the stability they need to plan for the future.

Alongside the Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish its latest economic and fiscal forecast, reflecting its assessment of the government’s plans.

We will provide coverage of the Budget announcements as details emerge.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns about how you may be affected by existing or proposed tax measures, please get in touch. We will be happy to discuss your circumstances and help you understand the implications.