The government has announced an over 40% increase in charge point grant amounts that will mean businesses, landlords and renters could save up to £500 on installing an electric vehicle (EV) charge point. Previously, the grant provided a discount of £350.
The uplift could cover almost half the typical installation costs and make it easier for EV users to access cheaper electricity rates at home or work to charge their EV. Schools will also be eligible for grants of up to £2,000 per socket.
Updates to the scheme will also simplify the current EV charge point support schemes available by reducing eight grant types down to five, which should make the system easier to navigate.
The electric car grant, which provides a discount on buying an EV, continues to be available. This can offer savings of up to £3,750.
Support is also available through local authorities for residents who do not have driveways to be able to install discreet, embedded pavement channels, meaning those with on street parking can install an EV charge point. This is in addition to the £500 installation grant.
EVs continue to receive preferential tax treatment, and this can also be worth exploring if you are considering buying a new vehicle.
HMRC have proposed a new criminal offence for making reckless, untrue statements or declarations about what's known as 'direct taxes' - Income Tax, National Insurance and the like. For Customs and Excise and VAT ('indirect taxes'), it is already possible to prosecute individuals who make untrue statements or submit incorrect documents either knowingly or recklessly, without the need to prove dishonesty. The penalties for such offences can be severe, including substantial fines and imprisonment. The direct tax regime does not currently contain an equivalent offence.
A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request has discovered that health and safety violations cost British employers over £44 million per year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that serious breaches have resulted in an increasing number of prosecutions between 2023 and 2025.