Categories: Press Releases

National President expresses concerns about proposed tobacco and vape licence

The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel has expressed concerns about the proposed tobacco and vape licence which could be introduced as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Unlike the alcohol licencing regime which has been in place for two decades and which it could broadly imitate, the tobacco and vape licence regime would likely not incorporate grandfathering rights, potentially creating great uncertainty as local authorities would have the right to limit sales based on an uncertain framework, impacting responsible retailers.

The Fed has backed other measures to restrict access to tobacco, which has seen a sharp drop in use in recent years, with ONS data indicating a fall from about 45 per cent in adult smoking in 1974, to about 11.9 per cent in 2023. This is partly caused by the switch to vapes which would also be affected by the licensing regime.

Writing in RN Magazine this week, Mr Patel said: “As an organisation, the Fed is strongly opposed to the licensing element of the bill. Our members are already subject to stringent regulations and operate safeguarding policies such as Challenge 25.”

The Fed will be contributing to the ongoing government consultation on the Bill, calling for a rethink of the licensing measure.

Independent retailers call for more action as shoplifting continues to soar

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has repeated calls for government grants to boost security measures for smaller stores, following the news that incidents of shoplifting have increased yet again.

According to the latest figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the police in England and Wales recorded a total of 529,994 cases of shoplifting in the year ending June 2025, an increase of 13 per cent.

The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel said: “While the numbers are shocking, they come as no surprise to independent retailers.

“We welcomed the government’s summer blitz on town centre crime and the fact that it has pledged to put 3,000 new neighbourhood officers on the beat as part of its Plan for Change, but these numbers show more must be done.

“The introduction of a standalone offence for attacking shopworkers, which is currently making its way through parliament, is also a step in the right direction, as is the scrapping of the so called £200 threshold.

“However, for years we have called on the government to provide grants for small retail business to help increase their security through improved CCTV. This would act as a deterrent to potential thieves and give store owners the ability to provide solid evidence to catch and punish the perpetrators.

“We also want the courts and law enforcement to work more effectively together to provide a robust judicial response to those who are charged and subsequently convicted.

“We hope that the latest disturbing statistics on shoplifting encourage the government to provide the financial help that is urgently needed to tackle the surge in retail crime.”

Self Assessment deadline is 100 days away

The countdown begins: Self Assessment deadline is 100 days away

• Self Assessment customers have 100 days to file their tax return and pay any tax owed before the 31 January deadline.
• 3.5 million people have already submitted their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year.
• Customers are urged to file their tax return early, so they know how much tax needs paying by 31 January

More than 3.5 million people have already filed their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year and with 100 days to the 31 January 2026 deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding those yet to file to do it early.

Those who start their return early can go back to it as many times as they need to before submitting it. Filing early means they also know how much tax is owed sooner and can prepare to pay their bill by the deadline.

Last year, more than 97% of tax returns were filed online. People can complete their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year on GOV.UK where there is also access to a range of guidance to help them prepare and file their return.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:

“With 100 days to the Self Assessment deadline, now is the time to get started. Completing your return now means you know you how much tax you need to pay ahead of the deadline. We are here to help with lots of help and advice, just search ‘file a tax return’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

Anyone unsure if they need to fill in a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, can use the Self Assessment checker tool on GOV.UK where they can also register and notify HMRC if they no longer need to complete one.

People who have sold assets such as shares after 30 October 2024 need to be aware of changed rates of Capital Gains Tax for the disposal of assets when completing their Self Assessment tax return as it won’t automatically calculate the correct amount of Capital Gains Tax due. Instead, they may need to work out an adjustment to the tax automatically calculated using the adjustment calculator on GOV.UK.

The new High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) PAYE digital service means thousands of Child Benefit claimants who are only in Self Assessment to pay HICBC can now opt out and can choose to pay the charge back through their tax code.

Eligible customers can call HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline in a tax year. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to de-register from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through PAYE.

Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.

Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

Notes

1. More information about Self Assessment.
2. The deadline for paper tax returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 31 October 2025. Online filers have until 31 January 2026. More than 11.5 million people filed their tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year by the deadline.
3. Sole traders and landlords with a turnover above £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026 and be required to submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC. HMRC is urging eligible customers to sign up to a testing programme on GOV.UK to familiarise themselves with the new service and start preparing now. Agents can also register their clients via GOV.UK.
4. Capital Gains Tax rates for disposals of assets on or after 30 October 2024 have changed and the Self Assessment tax return will not automatically calculate at the new main rates for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Taxpayers may need to work out an adjustment to the tax automatically calculated and can use the adjustment calculator on GOV.UK.
5. Customers can also use the HMRC app to find out how to register for Self Assessment, check their Unique Taxpayer Reference, get their National Insurance number and employment income and history and pay their tax bill.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office

HND Month 2025 is underway!

Home News Delivery Month is a dedicated industry focus to celebrate and promote home newspaper delivery (HND) with newspaper publishers, wholesalers and trade bodies working in collaboration across the month.

HND is a vital service enjoyed and depended upon by thousands of readers nationwide, reliant on fantastic delivery partners to ensure that they receive their newspapers on a daily basis.

October, as the clocks change and the nights get darker, has long been recognised as the start of the HND season. We want to make this October one to remember and kick off the HND season in style!

Throughout October, registered members have the opportunity to win £200 each day through a random number draw. Your unique draw number will be revealed every morning, and must be claimed by 10am the following day. Keep an eye on Fed socials to find out which members are winning!

Registered members can also participate in competitions to win items such as an E-Bike, iPads and a Facebook photo competition, see them all here. 

Also, after speaking to several successful retailers and industry partners, HND Month put together these short guides and videos on how to get the most from this year’s HND Month. Check them out here.

Don’t forget to send your photos into the Fed’s Contact Centre here, for a chance to feature in Your Fed magazine and on Fed socials!

Here are some photos of members’ HND Month POS…

The Fed cautiously welcomes the “Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report”

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has cautiously welcomed the “Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report”, which includes a number of apparently positive initiatives which could benefit the retail sector and will be of special interest to small independent shops.

These include measures changing the rates effect of opening a second property, changes to Transitional Relief, measures on Improvement relief when properties are enhanced as well as preparations for the merger of VOA and HMRC which could improve clarity of this currently very complex area of taxation.

The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel said: “Overall, the retail sector accounts for about 5% of the economy, but 20% of the Rates Bill and it is right that this area is subject to reform as our members face competition from online retailers based in out-of-town locations.

“Whilst the Fed welcomes the Chancellor and government’s focus in this area, we urge them to fully consider the importance of the retail sector – especially small independent shops, which are often at the heart of their communities and have rightly benefited from Rates Relief in the past.

“Many of our members had higher rates bills in April because of lost Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief in the last Budget and will await this year’s Budget and the Business Rates Revaluation – which will occur for the first time since 2023 – with concern.

“We are keen for the government to introduce new permanent retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers as low as possible from 2026, and to upwardly rate Small Business Rates for the very smallest businesses in line with inflation – but remain open to continued positive engagement in this area.”

Delayed carriage charge review shows Smiths News has listened to news retailers

Nearly 1,000 Fed members with lower newspaper and magazine sales are set to benefit from a reduction in their carriage charge from November 1, following an announcement today (Thursday, September 11) from Smiths News.

Historically, Smiths News reviews its carriage charge template in July, with any increases taking effect from September. But this summer, the news wholesaler advised that it was deferring its annual review until autumn, so discussions could take place with its retail customers and the Fed.

In a letter sent to its retail customers today, Smiths News commercial director Simon Gage said: “Our annual review has taken longer this year because we are acutely aware of the challenges faced by retailers. We want to ensure that any action we take is responsible and supports the profitability and longevity of the category in stores.

“The objective of this new template is to reduce costs for retailers who have smaller ranges and fewer sales, whilst still being fair and responsible to those customers with larger ranges and therefore higher sales.”

He added that the wholesaler would continue investing across warehousing, technology and final mile services to keep the supply chain as efficient and cost effective as possible.

While larger retailers will see an increase to their charge from November 1, this is well below inflation. Smiths News has advised that all increases will be capped at £6 per week.

Responding, the Fed’s National President Hetal Patel said: “Earlier this year, we were pleased to be told that Smiths News had decided to take longer than usual on its review of carriage charges to enable discussions to take place with its customers and with the Fed.

“This move has enabled Fed officials to have full and frank discussions about the challenges that members are facing. We are pleased that Smiths News has not just listened. but has acted upon some of the concerns that we raised. In particular, the news wholesaler is to be commended for taking action that will help to protect the viability and long-term future of smaller news stores.

“This is a good start. In future reviews, we would ask Smiths News to look in depth at the charges it levies on larger independent news retailers, especially those who offer HND.”

Deputy vice president Craig Etchells, who chairs the Fed’s news operations committee, added: “We hope that newspaper publishers will take note and will take the needs of news retailers into account before any future changes to their cover prices take effect.”