As part of its move to reduce ‘red tape’ and aid business growth, the government has announced plans to remove the requirement for companies to include a directors’ report as part of their annual accounts.
Micro-entities are already exempted from the requirement to include a directors’ report in their accounts; however, it is intended that the requirement will be removed for all companies. It is estimated that this will affect approximately 440,000 companies.
Medium-sized private companies will also be exempted from the requirement to prepare a strategic report as part of their annual report and accounts.
Wholly-owned subsidiaries will also be exempted from preparing a strategic report, provided their disclosures are included in the UK parent company’s annual report and accounts.
Estimates suggest that these changes could save UK businesses in the region of £230 million each year, and legislation to bring about these changes will be introduced as soon as possible.
UK wage growth eased to 4.5% between September and November 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, reflecting a notable slowdown in private sector pay.
A national expansion of WorkWell, a health-and-employment support service, is set to take place across England, following a successful pilot that helped more than 25,000 people stay in or return to work.
