HMRC, DWP, ILR, P45, V5C — British paperwork is full of abbreviations you cannot guess. These are the ones that actually appear in our reporting: what they are, why they matter and where to read the official rule.
HMRC's notice that you have overpaid or underpaid tax for the year; check the calculation before paying.
After the tax year ends, HMRC reviews the figures and, if you overpaid, sends a calculation — a P800 letter or a Simple Assessment. How to reclaim overpaid Income Tax in the UK — free and without middlemen
Official source · appears in 8 of our articles
The UK standard for proof-of-age cards; a card carrying the PASS hologram is accepted where ID is required.
An adult who looks under 25 should carry a passport, photographic driving licence or a card bearing the PASS hologram. See London from above for free: four viewpoints and their entry rules
Official source · appears in 6 of our articles
The system under which income tax and National Insurance are deducted from wages before you are paid.
From 16 an employer may need to pay them through PAYE. From what age and for how many hours can a teenager work in the UK
Official source · appears in 33 of our articles
A payment for adults needing help with daily living or mobility; not means-tested.
There is a further restriction: you cannot get Attendance Allowance if you already receive DLA, PIP, Adult Disability Payment, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance or Armed Forces Independence Payment. Attendance Allowance: £76.70 or £114.60 a week and six months of needing care
Official source · appears in 36 of our articles
The member of school staff responsible for support for children with special educational needs.
The conversation starts with the teacher or the special educational needs co-ordinator, the SENCO. EHC plans in England: 20 weeks, 16 weeks for an answer, 2 months to appeal
Official source · appears in 8 of our articles
The framework of extra support in school for children with additional needs.
How to appeal a council EHC plan decision at the SEND Tribunal If the council refuses to assess your child's special educational needs, or you disagree with the plan, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. How to appeal a council EHC plan decision at the SEND Tribunal
Official source · appears in 18 of our articles
Secondary legislation by which the government changes the detail of a law without a new Act.
Building control gets dearer in England: councils move to full cost recovery on 6 November MHCLG Circular 05/2026 and SI 2026/1094 revoke the 2010 rules. Building control gets dearer in England: councils move to full cost recovery on 6 November
Official source · appears in 8 of our articles
The code describing a company's activity, given at Companies House registration; it often decides grant eligibility.
In the statement itself you can also update SIC codes, the statement of capital and shareholder information. Confirmation statement: a company's yearly Companies House filing
Official source · appears in 10 of our articles
A declaration that a vehicle is kept off public roads; it stops the tax but bars you from driving it.
A separate service, on the same registration number, shows whether the vehicle has up-to-date tax or is registered as off the road under a SORN. How to check a used car from its number plate before you buy
Official source · appears in 16 of our articles
The legal minimum an employer must pay while you are off sick, at a rate and for a period set by law.
The exceptions are employees who do not qualify for SSP, and those receiving occupational sick pay instead. Sick leave in the UK: when you need a fit note and what 'may be fit for work' means
Official source · appears in 9 of our articles
Runs the Tube, buses, DLR, trams and the Elizabeth line, and sets fares and zones.
Zip Oyster cards are applied for online on the TfL website (you need a photo of the child). Free travel for children in London: who rides for free
Official source · appears in 87 of our articles
Rules under which employees transfer to the new owner of a business on their existing terms.
What TUPE protects — and what it does not When a business is sold or a contract changes hands, the employment contract moves to the new employer in full — service, holiday and terms included. Business sold? What TUPE protects — and what it does not
Official source · appears in 2 of our articles
Missing an abbreviation? Write to info@onlyway.news and we will add it. Abbreviations that appear in our texts but are not yet explained are queued automatically.
A person from the newsroom reads this and answers, usually the same day.
