Topic Collection
Greggs has overtaken Costa Coffee to become the largest overall operator in the UK branded coffee shop market by outlet count, according to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s Project Café UK 2026 research. The market study counted 2,737 Greggs outlets versus 2,707 Costa Coffee locations, giving Greggs a narrow lead of 30 sites. Starbucks remained third […]
The latest Armed Forces pay rise gives UK military personnel a 3.6% increase in base pay for 2026/27, effective from 1 April 2026. The Government accepted the recommendations of the independent Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body in full, covering personnel across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. The award means the average […]
The highest paid jobs in the UK are concentrated around senior business leadership, medicine, technology, aviation, finance, transport and specialist management. But there is an important difference between the highest typical salary and the highest salary someone could potentially earn. For the clearest comparison, this guide ranks occupations using median full-time gross annual earnings from […]
Yes, a person can be employed and operate as a sole trader at the same time in the UK. Someone could work full-time or part-time for an employer while also running a freelance business, consultancy, online store, trade or other side business. HMRC specifically confirms that a person can be employed and self-employed simultaneously. For […]
A UK SOC code identifies the type of work a person will perform. For most new Skilled Worker visa applications, the salary must be at least £41,700 per year or the full going rate for the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds may apply to qualifying new entrants, people with relevant […]
A sole trader does not legally need a separate business bank account in the UK. Because a sole trader and their business are treated as the same legal person, business income can technically be received into a personal current account. However, the bank’s account terms still matter. Some personal current accounts prohibit or restrict business […]
The typical self-employed carer hourly rate in the UK is approximately £18 to £30 per hour in 2026. An experienced independent carer providing regular personal care will commonly charge around £22 to £28 per hour, while specialist dementia care, palliative support, complex care or short-notice work can cost £28 to £40 per hour or more. […]
The typical self-employed painter and decorator hourly rate in the UK is approximately £25 to £40 per hour for standard residential work in 2026. An established decorator may charge £35 to £50 per hour, while specialist services or work in London can cost £40 to £60 per hour or more. Day rates commonly range from […]
To sell tickets on Ticketmaster, sign in to your Ticketmaster account, open My Tickets, select the relevant booking and choose Sell. Select the tickets you want to list, set an allowed resale price, enter your payout details and confirm the listing. The Sell option is not available for every ticket. Resale must be enabled by […]
Self-employed people in the UK normally pay Class 4 National Insurance when their annual taxable profits exceed £12,570. For the 2026/27 tax year, the Class 4 rate is 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, followed by 2% on profits above £50,270. Most self-employed people no longer have to make compulsory Class 2 payments. Where […]
