New research suggests 58% of eligible sole traders in Wales still have work to do ahead of the first Making Tax Digital quarterly reporting deadline on August 7.

THREE in five sole traders in Wales are not fully prepared for a major change to the way they report their income and expenses to HM Revenue and Customs, according to new research.

A survey commissioned by Lloyds found that 58% of Welsh respondents still had work to do before they were ready to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

The figure was slightly higher than the UK-wide result, where 55% of those surveyed said they were not yet fully prepared.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax became mandatory in April for sole traders and landlords with qualifying annual income of more than £50,000.

Those covered by the rules must keep digital records and use compatible software to provide HMRC with quarterly summaries of their income and expenses.

The deadline for the first quarterly update is Friday, August 7.

Nathan Morgan, Area Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Making Tax Digital represents one of the biggest administrative changes many sole traders will have experienced for years.

“Our research suggests that while businesses recognise the benefits of digital record-keeping, many are still working through what they need to do before the first submission deadline.

“With small business owners already balancing multiple demands on their time, simplicity matters.

“That is why we have built HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital for Income Tax functionality directly into eligible Lloyds Business Accounts at no extra cost, helping customers manage tax administration alongside their everyday banking.”

Despite the concerns over preparedness, some Welsh sole traders said the new system had already brought benefits.

Among those preparing for the first update, 41% said digital tax management had helped them become more organised, while 16% said it had reduced the stress associated with completing tax work at the last minute.

More than three quarters of respondents in Wales, 79%, said they would find it useful to manage tax records, deadlines and administration through their banking app or online banking.

Lloyds has integrated Making Tax Digital software into its business banking service. The tool allows customers to maintain digital records, categorise income and expenses, save receipts and prepare quarterly updates.

The qualifying income threshold will fall to more than £30,000 from April 2027 and more than £20,000 from April 2028.

The Lloyds research was conducted by Censuswide among 1,000 UK sole traders with income of at least £50,000 between June 29 and July 6. Landlords were not included in the survey.

A seven-year-old boy from Ontario will be among young people travelling to Stackpole for a specialist course designed to help those living with rare muscle conditions exercise safely and confidently

AN INTERNATIONAL group of young people affected by rare glycogen storage diseases will gather in Pembrokeshire next month for a week of specialist outdoor activities and support.

The McArdle’s Experience will take place at the National Trust’s Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre from Saturday, August 1, until Friday, August 7.

Organised by the charity AGSD-UK, the residential course teaches participants how to manage exercise intolerance, recognise their body’s warning signs and build fitness safely through structured aerobic activity.

The event is now in its sixteenth year and rotates between locations in Wales’ three national parks.

Among those travelling to Pembrokeshire is seven-year-old Everett Vistoli and his family from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Everett has glycogen storage disease type 9d, known as GSD9d, an extremely rare condition related to McArdle’s disease. Both conditions affect the way muscles access energy stored as glycogen.

Everett’s mother, Kendra, said the family first realised something was wrong when he was an infant.

She said: “He had difficulty learning to walk, a delayed and waddling gait, frequent falls and sometimes used his hands to climb up his legs to stand.

“We took him to a paediatrician because we were concerned about the possibility of muscular dystrophy.”

Everett was referred to a neuromuscular specialist and underwent electromyography, genetic testing and a muscle biopsy.

The biopsy showed an accumulation of glycogen and Everett was diagnosed with GSD9d shortly before his fourth birthday.

Kendra said the condition has a significant effect on everyday family life, with activities requiring additional time, planning and patience.

She said: “Everett also struggles with ADHD and tends to want to go, go, go, but then ends up in a boom-and-bust cycle of crashing, being in pain and struggling with physical activity.

“We always have to be mindful of how his body is feeling and what he is capable of each day.

“We avoid activities where we might become stuck if he cannot continue, unless we have a plan to support him if he runs out of energy or is in too much pain.”

Andrew Wakelin, AGSD-UK’s McArdle’s coordinator, devised the walking courses after being diagnosed with the disease himself.

He said Everett would be the first person with GSD9d to attend the course.

“We think there may be only about 50 people worldwide diagnosed with GSD9d, so this is a very special occasion,” he said.

“We host a course for young people and another for adults, each with its own programme of learning and walks.

“Teaching young people to recognise their body’s warning signs and exercise at their own pace is vital in preventing muscle damage and maintaining an active lifestyle.

“We aim to share techniques that make the day-to-day management of McArdle’s easier.

“The walks allow people to put that learning into practice, build confidence and improve their aerobic capacity. The aim is to make walking safe and enjoyable in a friendly and understanding group.”

People with McArdle’s disease can experience severe fatigue, pain and cramping during the first few minutes of exercise because their muscles cannot properly break down stored glycogen.

Continuing through severe pain can cause muscle breakdown and, in serious cases, kidney damage.

However, many people with the condition experience a phenomenon known as the “second wind”. By slowing down or resting when symptoms begin, they may be able to continue more comfortably once the body starts using glucose and fats from the bloodstream for energy.

There is currently no cure, but symptoms can often be managed through education, appropriate nutrition and regular, carefully graded aerobic exercise.

Kendra said the opportunity for Everett to meet others with similar experiences would be invaluable.

She said: “Connecting with and learning from people who have the wisdom and experience to share what helps them most is truly a gift.

“Everett loves the outdoors and hiking. I think he is excited about the challenge of hiking a mountain.

“I am not sure how much understanding he has about his condition and how to manage it, so I am very much looking forward to him learning from people with lived experience who truly understand.”

Val Buxton, chief executive of AGSD-UK, said living with a rare and poorly understood condition could be extremely challenging.

She said: “Events such as the McArdle’s walking courses are a valuable opportunity for those affected to meet people who can relate to their experiences.

“Members of our community have described the connections they have made and the insights gained at these events as life-changing.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports AGSD-UK’s vital work.”

Cover image: Everett Vistoli with his family, who will join participants travelling to Pembrokeshire from around the world.

WELSH LABOUR has called on the Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government to introduce a £2 cap on bus fares, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that a similar scheme would begin in England in January.

The party says passengers in Wales risk paying more for essential journeys than people living across the border unless ministers act quickly.

Welsh Labour included a £2 bus fare cap in its Senedd election manifesto and is now urging the Welsh Government to adopt the policy as part of wider efforts to ease pressure on household finances.

Responsibility for bus services and fares in Wales is devolved, meaning the UK Government’s announcement will apply only to journeys in England.

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates MS welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision but said action was also needed in Wales.

He said: “It’s great to see the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, acting quickly to give families some breathing space with the cost of living.

“Introducing a £2 bus fare cap in Wales is, of course, a decision for the Welsh Government. That’s why Welsh Labour had a manifesto commitment to do just that.

“This Plaid Cymru Government should urgently look to introduce a cap in Wales. Otherwise, people in Wales will be left paying more for bus travel than our neighbours across the border.”

Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones said affordable public transport was essential for connecting communities and ensuring people could access employment, education and public services.

She said: “Connecting communities and providing good, affordable transport links is vital in building a country for everyone.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news, but only for people in England.

“Plaid Cymru must now follow suit and act as quickly as the new Prime Minister has to support people with the cost of living, ensuring passengers in Wales are not paying more for bus travel and have access to the same opportunities.”

Welsh Labour said reforms introduced by the previous Welsh Government through bus services legislation had created the framework needed for greater public control of the network.

The party said it would continue to campaign for cheaper fares and more widely available bus services across Wales.

The Welsh Government has been approached for a response.