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Tendarix
System operational · UK & EU tenders

The Tendarix Journal

Plain-English guides for the businesses that win public work.

Tax, funding, employment rules and public-sector bidding — explained without the jargon, for UK small and medium businesses.

A small business owner reviewing unpaid invoices and cash flow on a laptop
Funding & Growth7 min read

Invoice Finance Explained: Unlock Cash from Unpaid Invoices (2026)

Waiting 30, 60 or 90 days to get paid? Invoice finance turns unpaid invoices into working capital. Here is how factoring and discounting compare.

The Tendarix Team · 11 June 2026

A small business owner reviewing VAT records and a flat rate calculation on a laptop
Tax & Compliance·7 min

VAT Flat Rate Scheme Explained for Small Businesses (2026)

The Flat Rate Scheme can make VAT simpler for smaller firms. Here is how the single flat percentage works, who qualifies, and when it is worth joining.

10 June 2026

Person using a laptop to search for information, representing online contract searches.
Public Sector Bidding·8 min

How to Find Public Sector Contracts with Find a Tender

Thousands of public sector contracts are advertised online every month, but knowing where to look and how to filter them is half the battle. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process from first search to saved alert.

9 June 2026

A pen resting on a signed employment contract document.
Compliance & HR·7 min

Employment Contracts: What to Include in 2026

Every employee is entitled to a written statement of their main employment terms from day one. This checklist-led guide tells UK small employers exactly what to include and why it matters.

9 June 2026

Small business owner talking with an adviser in a bright, welcoming office.
Funding & Growth·6 min

Growth Hubs: Free Business Support Across the UK (2026)

Growth Hubs are local business support organisations funded partly by government, and most of what they offer is free. If you have not looked into what your local hub provides, you might be missing out on valuable help.

8 June 2026

Modern office building facade reflecting the sky, representing public sector purchasing.
Public Sector Bidding·7 min

Dynamic Purchasing Systems Explained for Suppliers

A Dynamic Purchasing System lets you join at any time and compete for public sector contracts whenever they arise. For small businesses, it can be one of the most accessible routes into public procurement.

8 June 2026

A padlock resting on a laptop keyboard, representing data security.
Compliance & HR·8 min

GDPR Basics Every Small Business Should Know (2026)

UK GDPR applies to almost every small business, but the basics are simpler than most people think. This myth-busting Q&A covers lawful bases, staff data, individual rights, and what to do in a breach.

8 June 2026

Two people in a meeting discussing investment documents and a laptop screen.
Funding & Growth·8 min

SEIS and EIS Explained: Investment for Small Business

SEIS and EIS are government-backed schemes that make investing in early-stage UK companies more attractive by offering investors significant tax reliefs. Understanding how they work can open doors to funding that might otherwise be out of reach.

7 June 2026

Two people reviewing pension paperwork at a desk.
Compliance & HR·7 min

Auto-Enrolment Pensions: A Small Business Guide (2026)

Auto-enrolment means most small employers must enrol eligible staff into a workplace pension and contribute alongside them. This guide explains your duties in plain English for 2026.

7 June 2026

Industrial machinery on a factory floor representing capital investment.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

Full Expensing and Capital Allowances Made Simple (2026)

Buying equipment for your business can reduce your tax bill significantly — if you claim the right allowances. This guide explains full expensing and the Annual Investment Allowance in plain English.

6 June 2026

Person writing notes at a desk with a laptop and documents spread out.
Funding & Growth·7 min

How to Write a Winning Grant Application

Writing a grant application can feel daunting, but a clear process makes it far more manageable. Follow these steps to give your project the best possible chance of success.

6 June 2026

Community volunteers working together outdoors, representing social value in action.
Public Sector Bidding·8 min

Social Value in Tenders: How the Scoring Works

Social value can make up a significant share of a tender score, yet many small businesses treat it as an afterthought. Understanding what buyers actually want — and how to prove it — can be the difference between winning and losing.

6 June 2026

A company director reviewing financial documents at a desk.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

Dividend Tax for Company Directors in 2026

Many limited company directors pay themselves a mix of salary and dividends to manage their tax bill. Here is what you need to know about how dividends are taxed in 2026.

5 June 2026

A passport and identity documents on a desk, representing right to work verification.
Compliance & HR·7 min

Right to Work Checks for Small Employers in 2026

Getting right to work checks right protects your business from serious penalties. This step-by-step guide explains the three check types and what records to keep in 2026.

5 June 2026

Small business owner checking payroll figures on a desktop computer in a shop.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

National Insurance for Small Business: What Changes in 2026

National Insurance is one of the biggest payroll costs for small employers — and for sole traders, it affects how much you keep from your profits. This guide untangles the different classes and explains what each one means for your business.

4 June 2026

Two paths diverging in a forest, symbolising a financial decision.
Funding & Growth·7 min

Business Grants vs Loans: Which Is Right for You?

Grants are free money — but they are hard to win and come with conditions. Loans are available to more businesses but must be repaid. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right path.

4 June 2026

Close-up of official documents and a pen on a desk, representing tender paperwork.
Public Sector Bidding·7 min

PQQ vs ITT: Tender Stages Explained Simply

Public sector tenders often run in two stages before you write a word of your bid. Understanding the difference between a selection questionnaire and an invitation to tender puts you ahead of the competition.

4 June 2026

Sole trader reviewing receipts and expenses on a kitchen table with a notebook.
Tax & Compliance·8 min

Allowable Business Expenses for Sole Traders in 2026

Claiming every expense you are entitled to is one of the simplest ways to reduce your tax bill as a sole trader. This checklist-led guide covers every major category and explains the rules in plain English.

3 June 2026

A person resting at home with a mug, representing sick leave.
Compliance & HR·7 min

Statutory Sick Pay and Leave: A 2026 Guide for Employers

Statutory Sick Pay and other forms of leave can feel complicated, but the rules are manageable once you know the basics. This guide walks UK small employers through SSP, holiday, and parental leave in plain English.

3 June 2026

Two business owners reviewing company accounts on a laptop in a small office.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

Corporation Tax for Small Companies in 2026, Explained

Running a limited company means dealing with corporation tax — but the rules are more straightforward than many directors realise. Here is what you need to know about rates, deadlines and what counts as a deductible cost.

2 June 2026

Scientists working in a laboratory representing research and development activity.
Funding & Growth·8 min

R&D Tax Credits for Small Business in 2026

R&D tax relief can return real money to businesses that are genuinely innovating — but the rules have changed significantly in recent years. Here is what small businesses need to know.

2 June 2026

Close-up of a person reviewing a formal contract document at a desk.
Public Sector Bidding·8 min

Framework Agreements Explained for Small Suppliers

Framework agreements can seem mysterious from the outside, but they are one of the most common ways the public sector buys goods and services. This myth-busting guide explains exactly how they work and what small suppliers need to know.

2 June 2026

Calendar and clock on a desk beside a laptop showing a tax filing screen.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

Self Assessment 2026: Deadlines, Penalties and How to Stay Ahead

Late filing and late payment penalties can hit hard and fast. This guide maps out every key Self Assessment date for 2026, explains the penalty rules in plain English, and shows you how to stay organised.

1 June 2026

Person reviewing payslips at a desk, representing wage compliance for small business owners.
Compliance & HR·7 min

National Minimum and Living Wage: 2026 Rates Explained

Paying staff the wrong wage rate — even by mistake — can result in penalties and public naming. This guide explains how the rates work, who is entitled to what, and what records you must keep.

1 June 2026

Person reviewing financial paperwork and receipts at a desk.
Tax & Compliance·7 min

VAT Registration for Small Business: 2026 Threshold Guide

VAT can feel daunting, but knowing when and why to register puts you firmly in control. This guide walks you through every stage, from the threshold to flat rate and deregistration.

31 May 2026

A young entrepreneur working on a laptop in a bright modern workspace.
Funding & Growth·8 min

UK Start Up Loans: A 2026 Guide for New Businesses

The government-backed Start Up Loans scheme offers affordable personal loans plus free mentoring to new and early-stage businesses across the UK. Here is how to apply and what to expect.

31 May 2026

Government building entrance with stone columns and a clear blue sky.
Public Sector Bidding·7 min

The Procurement Act 2023: What It Means for SMEs

The Procurement Act 2023 is the biggest shake-up to UK public sector buying rules in a generation. For small and medium-sized businesses, it brings some genuine opportunities — if you understand what changed and prepare accordingly.

31 May 2026

A UK sole trader reviewing digital tax records on a laptop with accounting software open
Tax & Compliance·7 min

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: 2026 Sole Trader Guide

From April 2026, sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 must keep digital tax records and send quarterly updates. Here is what to do before the deadline.

26 May 2026

UK small business owner reviewing 2026/27 tax paperwork and a laptop at a desk
Tax & Compliance·7 min

UK Small Business Tax Changes 2026/27: Plain Guide

A friendly, plain-English run-through of the main UK taxes your small business faces in 2026/27, and the smart questions to ask your accountant.

21 May 2026

UK small business owner reviewing government grant and funding options on a laptop in 2026
Funding & Growth·7 min

UK Government Grants for Small Business 2026

A plain-English 2026 guide to UK government grants and funding for small businesses, from Start Up Loans and Innovate UK to R&D tax relief and regional support.

14 May 2026

UK small business owner reviewing a public-sector tender document on a laptop
Public Sector Bidding·8 min

How to Win Your First Government Contract (SME Guide)

A clear, beginner-friendly guide to winning your first UK public-sector contract: where to find tenders, how to bid, how to price and what to avoid.

7 May 2026

Small business owner reviewing a new employee's written employment contract at a desk
Compliance & HR·7 min

UK Employment Law for Small Business: 2026 Rules

A plain-English guide to the workplace rules every UK small business must follow in 2026 when you take on staff, from contracts and pay to pensions and safety.

30 April 2026

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Tax deadlines, new grants, rule changes and the public contracts worth knowing about — in plain English, free, every Monday.