Changes in Funding to Apprenticeships, paying your self-assessment tax bill monthly and is it worth using a password manager?
With the government reforming apprenticeships to supporting young people and SME owners, we take a look at how it could affect your business. We also raise awareness of the option to pay your self-assessment tax bill in instalments and look into whether it’s worthwhile utilising a password management tool.
Changes in Funding to Apprenticeships
The Government has announced a £725 million package of reforms aimed at increasing apprenticeship and training opportunities for young people. While much of the announcement centres on tackling youth unemployment, there could be benefits for small and medium-sized businesses.
Below is an overview of what’s changing and how it could influence your workforce planning over the next few years.
Fully Funded Apprenticeships for Under-25s at SMEs
One of the headline changes is the removal of the 5% co-investment rate for apprentices under 25 at small and medium-sized employers.
This means training costs for eligible apprentices will be covered entirely by government funding.
If you have previously avoided apprenticeships due to the training and assessment costs, it may be worth reconsidering them as they may be a good way to fill entry-level vacancies and develop talent internally.
Potentially More Local Support in Finding Apprentices
The announced funding includes a £140 million pilot that will give Mayors the ability to connect young people with apprenticeship opportunities.
Of course, how effective this will be depends on how the scheme is implemented locally, but this should translate to more support for you in finding applicants.
Foundation Apprenticeships and Short Courses
Additional foundation apprenticeships are due to be rolled out in sectors such as retail and hospitality.
Foundation apprenticeships were first introduced in May 2025 and are designed to bridge the gap between formal learning in school or college and the workplace helping make young people work-ready. These may be useful if you find you currently have to invest substantial time in early training.
Beginning in April 2026, the possibility of short courses will be introduced to apprenticeships allowing more flexible training options that better suit you. A new Level 4 apprenticeship in AI will also be introduced, which could help you develop skills in your workforce.
In review
Clearly, it will take time for these changes to have a meaningful effect, but it could be well worth reviewing whether fully funded under-25 apprenticeships could support your recruitment needs.
There could be further news on apprenticeships over the coming months as the government has said that the Department for Work & Pensions and Skills England will be working with businesses on the right balance to further boost apprenticeship starts for young people while delivering the right flexibilities for businesses.
Self-Assessment: A Reminder That You Can Spread Your Tax Payments
With the festive season underway and household budgets feeling the pressure, it may be useful to know that if you are worried about paying your tax bill in one lump sum, you may be able to spread the cost.
Although the deadline to file your tax return and pay any tax isn’t until 31 January 2026, acting early can make the process far smoother – especially if you need extra time to pay.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Time to Pay service allows Self-Assessment taxpayers to set up a monthly instalment plan once their tax return has been filed.
Since 6 April 2025, almost 18,000 people have already arranged a payment plan, making use of the flexibility to manage their tax bill without falling into late-payment penalties.
Here are some key points to be aware of:
- If you owe £30,000 or less, a plan can be set up online without calling HMRC.
- Your tax return must be filed before you can apply.
- The amount you pay is specific to your financial circumstances.
- You will still pay interest on the outstanding amounts, so the quicker you can pay, the better.
If it’s needed, HMRC’s Time to Tap can offer some welcome breathing space.
If you’re unsure about how this could apply to you, how to plan for your January tax bill, or what the Time to Pay option might look like in practice, feel free to get in touch. We can help you review your position early, so you have time to make the right decisions for your business.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-offers-time-to-help-pay-your-tax-bill
Should You Use a Password Manager?
For many, using a password manager is now a common way to look after the myriad of login details and passwords needed for all their frequently used websites. Are you using a password manager, or do you worry about how safe they are?
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides some guidance on how password managers and passkeys can simplify your digital life without compromising your online security.
The guidance covers what a password manager is and why they can be trusted. There are also some pointers on what you should watch out for when using one.
A number of websites now offer passkeys as an alternative to passwords. If you have seen these and wonder what they are, the NSCS guide explains why they can be more secure than passwords.
To review the guide in full, please see: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/trust-the-tech-using-password-managers-passkeys-to-help-you-stay-secure-online