Late payment interest charges hit record £409.4m
Taxpayers face higher costs as HMRC rates rise.
HMRC call wait time down to 19 minutes
Webchat usage rises as phone calls decline.
Employers curb hiring amid rising employment costs
Rising NICs dampen business confidence and expansion plans.
8 in 10 businesses want AI growth
AI investment takes priority, but skills gaps remain.
Wage growth outpaces forecasts
Pay has risen despite fears over tax and wage hikes.