The UK’s £8 billion-a-year R&D tax credit scheme is facing a major shake-up as the government moves to tackle widespread fraud and error while improving accessibility for genuine claimants. Proposals outlined in a consultation published alongside the Spring Statement suggest that businesses may soon be required to obtain formal pre-approval — or “advance assurance” — for research and development (R&D) claims before submitting them to HMRC. Currently a voluntary option, advance assurance is used by...