Inside the Corporate Investigation Boom: Titan PI TV Exclusive
£10,000 Tax Hit? The Massive Surge in Corporate Investigation Instructions
In the latest episode of Titan PI TV, Simon Henson, Managing Director of Titan Private Investigation Limited, delves into a phenomenon that is sending ripples through the UK’s corporate landscape: a dramatic increase in instructions for corporate investigations. As the country grapples with significant changes to National Insurance contributions, businesses are turning to private investigators in record numbers to safeguard their interests and navigate the complexities of a shifting economic environment.
Welcome to the New Reality of Corporate Britain
The latest Friday episode of Titan PI TV, where you can delve into the fascinating inner workings of a live operational investigation agency. The show, which is also available as a podcast across all major platforms, has built a loyal following of over 2,200 subscribers who rely on its insights into the complex world of private investigation.
This particular episode tackles a phenomenon that many business leaders are experiencing firsthand but few fully understand: the dramatic increase in demand for corporate surveillance and investigation services. The catalyst, as Simon explains, lies in the government’s recent overhaul of National Insurance contributions—a change that has sent shockwaves through the UK’s business community.
The National Insurance Revolution: Breaking Down the Numbers
In April 2025, the Labour government implemented what many consider to be one of the most significant changes to employer National Insurance contributions in recent memory. The rate increased from 13.8% to 15%—a seemingly modest rise of 1.2% that masks its true financial impact on businesses.
More significantly, the threshold at which employees begin paying National Insurance has been dramatically reduced from £9,100 to just £5,000. This dual approach is projected by the government to generate an additional £25 billion for the UK economy through increased National Insurance contributions.
To illustrate the real-world impact, Simon provides detailed calculations that reveal the true cost to employers. Under the previous system, an employee earning £40,000 annually would have cost their employer £4,209 in National Insurance contributions. With the new rates and lower threshold, this figure jumps to £5,250—an increase of £1,041 per employee per year.
The impact becomes even more pronounced for higher earners. An employee on an £80,000 salary, who previously cost their employer £9,729 in National Insurance, now represents a liability of £11,250—an increase of £1,521 annually.
When these figures are extrapolated across a typical small to medium-sized enterprise, the financial burden becomes staggering. Simon calculates that a company with five employees earning £40,000 each and a director on £80,000 will face an additional annual National Insurance bill of £9,849—nearly £10,000 in extra costs that must be absorbed or offset through other means.
The Corporate Response: Scrutinising the Workforce
Faced with these mounting costs, alongside increases in corporation tax and other fiscal pressures, UK businesses are being forced to make difficult decisions about their workforce. As Simon bluntly states, “It’s messy getting rid of people,” highlighting the complex legal and financial challenges associated with staff reductions.
Rather than pursuing traditional routes such as natural wastage or straightforward disciplinary procedures, companies are increasingly turning to private investigators to build robust cases for employee dismissal. This approach allows businesses to identify and document misconduct that provides legitimate grounds for termination whilst minimising legal risk.
The types of behaviour that companies are now scrutinising more closely include unacceptable absenteeism, fraudulent expense claims, inappropriate use of company vehicles, and perhaps most significantly in the post-pandemic era, employees who claim to be working from home but are actually engaged in other activities.
The Investigation Process: Professional Surveillance in Action
When a company suspects employee misconduct, Titan deploys a team of two surveillance operatives who conduct covert monitoring over an eight-hour period. These professionals observe and record the subject’s movements, associations, body language, and locations visited throughout the day.
The cost for this comprehensive service is £960 plus VAT—an investment that, as Simon points out, is often VAT-recoverable for businesses. This relatively modest outlay can provide companies with the evidence they need to take decisive action against problematic employees.
The surveillance operatives are trained to gather information lawfully, ensuring that any evidence collected can be used in employment tribunals, civil proceedings, or even criminal courts. This legal compliance is crucial, as it protects companies from potential challenges to the admissibility of evidence.
Comprehensive Reporting and Documentation
Following the surveillance operation, Titan provides clients with a detailed report that includes images extracted from the surveillance footage. Simon emphasises the importance of visual evidence, stating categorically, “If it’s not on camera, it’s not happened.”
All surveillance footage is provided unedited and includes time and date stamps, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings. This comprehensive documentation package gives companies the confidence to proceed with disciplinary action, knowing that their evidence will withstand scrutiny.
The Business Case: Return on Investment
The financial logic behind instructing private investigators becomes clear when the costs are compared to the potential savings. For £960, companies can potentially identify misconduct that justifies dismissing an employee who may be costing thousands of pounds annually in wasted wages, fraudulent expenses, or other forms of misconduct.
In some cases, a single day of surveillance is sufficient to gather the required evidence, though additional deployments can be arranged if necessary. The key is that companies can make informed decisions based on concrete evidence rather than suspicion or hearsay.
Real-World Applications: Common Investigation Scenarios
Simon outlines several scenarios where corporate surveillance proves invaluable. These include employees who claim to be absent due to illness but are actually working elsewhere or engaging in activities inconsistent with their claimed condition. Similarly, surveillance can expose employees who submit fraudulent expense claims or use company vehicles for personal purposes.
Perhaps most relevant in today’s flexible working environment is the investigation of remote workers who claim to be working from home but are actually caring for children, pursuing other employment, or simply not working at all. With many companies investing heavily in remote working infrastructure, ensuring that employees are genuinely productive during working hours has become a critical concern.
Legal Compliance and Admissibility
A crucial aspect of Titan’s service is ensuring that all investigations are conducted within the bounds of the law. This legal compliance is essential for several reasons: it protects the investigating company from potential legal challenges, ensures that evidence is admissible in formal proceedings, and maintains the integrity of the investigation process.
The time- and date-stamped footage, combined with detailed reporting, creates a comprehensive evidence package that can withstand scrutiny in employment tribunals or courts. This professional approach gives companies the confidence to take decisive action based on the investigation findings.
The Broader Economic Context
The surge in corporate investigations reflects broader economic pressures facing UK businesses. The National Insurance increases are just one element of a wider package of tax rises that are forcing companies to reassess their operations and workforce requirements.
As Simon notes, companies are facing financial pressures from multiple directions, including corporation tax increases and other fiscal measures. In this environment, ensuring that every employee is contributing effectively to the business becomes not just desirable but essential for survival.
Industry Growth and Future Trends
The private investigation industry is experiencing unprecedented growth as businesses adapt to the new economic reality. Titan’s experience reflects a broader trend across the sector, with investigation agencies reporting significant increases in corporate instructions.
This growth is likely to continue as businesses become more sophisticated in their approach to workforce management and risk mitigation. The combination of economic pressure and readily available professional investigation services is creating a new paradigm in corporate governance.
Conclusion: A New Era of Corporate Accountability
As the episode concludes, Simon reflects on the non-political nature of the analysis, focusing purely on the practical realities facing UK businesses. The correlation between National Insurance increases and the surge in corporate investigations represents a fundamental shift in how companies manage their workforce and protect their interests.
For businesses facing mounting costs and increased scrutiny, professional investigation services offer a practical solution that combines legal compliance with effective risk management. As the economic pressures continue to mount, the role of private investigators in corporate Britain is likely to become even more significant.
The episode serves as both an educational resource and a call to action for business leaders who may be grappling with similar challenges. With over 2,200 subscribers and growing, Titan PI TV continues to provide valuable insights into the evolving world of private investigation and corporate risk management.
For companies considering their options in this challenging economic environment, the message is clear: professional investigation services offer a cost-effective, legally compliant solution to workforce management challenges that can deliver significant returns on investment whilst protecting against legal risk.
What’s Next on Titan PI TV?
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