London businesses dismiss Chancellor’s growth hopes Economics Firms across London think the government will fall flat on its ambition to grow the UK economy, a new survey has shown. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set out to woo businesses in the City of London over the last few years. But around nine in ten businesses across the capital doubt the government can achieve growth, [...]
200,000 jobs to go after Labour’s inheritance tax raid Business Family owned businesses and farms across the UK are cutting jobs, halting investment and selling assets to stay afloat in response to sweeping tax changes. According to research by CBI-Economics, commissioned by Family Business UK, the government’s move to cap business property relief (BPR) and reform agricultural property relief (APR) has triggered a wave of [...]
‘Ominous’: UK manufacturing declines amid tax and trade fears Economics UK manufacturing output fell during the first quarter of the year for the first time in a decade, as fears over a global trade war and rising taxes hit firms. Output fell one per cent in the first three months of 2025 after a 20 per cent rise in the quarter before, with UK orders [...]
‘We will not give in’: Farmer tax fury is not going away February 26, 2025 Gripping his lectern on stage in Birmingham, Keir Starmer was attempting to win over the ever-sceptical delegates at the National Farmers’ Union congress. The then-leader of the opposition told attendees of the 2023 iteration of the annual jamboree that he understood their pain, and promised to reset government relations with farming were he fortunate enough [...]
Checkatrade CEO: ‘My plan to get Britain growing again’ February 20, 2025 The chief executive of Checkatrade has revealed what he would like the government to change in order to boost British businesses and get the country growing again. Speaking during an up-coming episode of City AM’s Boardroom Uncovered interview series, Jambu Palaniappan argued Labour should reform the rules around planning permission to made it easier for [...]
‘This is Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax’: Labour warned inheritance tax protests won’t stop February 17, 2025 The Labour government’s reforms to farmers’ inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget has been branded as “Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax”. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, added that the Prime Minister is “losing the argument and feeling rattled”. The pubs boss has liked the policy, which [...]
What’s really pushing entrepreneurs towards the exit? February 5, 2025 Two thirds of entrepreneurs considering an exit feel pushed to sell up sooner than planned because of tax rises. If we want to keep wealth creators on British soil, we need to not only support, but celebrate them, says Kevin Barrett Entrepreneurs are on the move and if the UK wants to keep them, it [...]
Inheritance tax changes are coming – how should you prepare? February 4, 2025 Speculation is mounting that the government may charge inheritance tax on pensions and extend the seven-year gifting rule. So how can you make sure you can pass on wealth to the next generation? Duncan Bailey explains The Budget has given businesses and individuals much to consider with announcements made around spending, national insurance contributions for [...]
‘I’m still going to leave’: Reeves’ non-dom concession is not enough for London’s super rich January 27, 2025 Amid an exodus of the country’s millionaires and billionaires, the government is revisiting its reforms to the non-dom regime. But the recent changes floated by the Chancellor have been given short shrift by non-doms and their advisers. Ali Lyon explores what might actually stem the departures of the UK’s wealthy foreigners. In the clandestine and [...]
Inheritance tax on farms: Lidl, Tesco and Aldi join demands for consultation January 22, 2025 Supermarkets Lidl, Tesco and Aldi have added their names to calls for a consultation over the government’s reforms to inheritance tax, citing concerns the changes would dent farmer confidence and choke off investment. In an unusual string of interventions, the retailers rode to the defence of farmers’ calls to pause the changes to Agricultural Property [...]