Why a ‘do no harm’ Budget isn’t good enough October 21, 2026 Labour market statistics can be pretty dry. Inactivity rates, nominal regular earnings growth, payroll numbers and claimant counts tend not, at first glance, to fire up the imagination. The data dumps are hoovered up by economists and analysts, not least as a guide to future Bank of England interest rate decisions or as a barometer [...]
‘Own goal’ – City chiefs warn Healey higher bank taxes hurt jobs outside London October 21, 2026 Top City chiefs are launching last-ditch attempts to stop a punishing tax raid on banks at the Budget, warning the move will hurt jobs and growth outside of London. Rain Newton-Smith, the chief executive of the CBI, is set to warn Chancellor John Healey that increasing taxes on banks would be an “own goal for [...]
Greene King boss: Pub industry ‘reaching breaking point’ October 20, 2026 The finance boss of Greene King has warned that soaring taxes and employment costs have pushed the UK’s hospitality industry to “breaking point”. Jonathan Fearn, finance chief of the privately-owned pub chain, said decisions taken by the Labour government have “created a cocktail of costs, which have made it ever harder for a pub to [...]
John Healey rules out capital gains tax hike in Budget October 20, 2026 John Healey has squashed speculation he will raise capital gains tax in the forthcoming Budget after rejecting calls from his Cabinet colleagues. The Treasury was facing lobbying efforts from top ministers, including Louise Haigh and Wes Streeting, to raise the capital gains tax (CGT) rate from its current level of 24 per cent for higher [...]
When will Burnham bring his whole self to work? October 20, 2026 There have been relatively few Budget leaks ahead of next week’s fiscal event but the little we have been able to discern, while still technically in the realms of speculation, has been depressing. The latest suggestion – that people handing over the reins of a family business to the next generation could be hit with [...]
West End boss urges Healey to curb ‘eye-watering’ business rates October 20, 2026 The West End’s top business chief has urged John Healey to avoid adding to high street firms’ “eye-watering” business rates bills. Writing in City AM, New West End Company chief executive Dee Corsi said the Chancellor must listen to retailers and hospitality businesses who say they “cannot absorb” any more tax hikes. The industry body, [...]
Goldman Sachs to host Badenoch for City charm offensive October 19, 2026 Kemi Badenoch will step up her business charm offensive after the Budget with a roundtable hosted by Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs, City AM can reveal. The Tory leader will co-host a lunch for founders, investors and chief executives from across the UK alongside Goldman Sachs International’s chief executive, Anthony Gutman, City AM understands. The [...]
Healey’s £1bn London office raid would be ‘attack on growth’ October 15, 2026 John Healey’s potential £1bn raid on London offices would be an “attack on growth” and deal a huge blow to the City, property firms have warned. The Chancellor is weighing up an increase to business rates for expensive office blocks and skyscrapers which would raise £1bn for the Treasury but disproportionately hit the capital’s business [...]
Healey plans £1bn e-commerce crackdown to fund retail tax breaks October 14, 2026 John Healey is preparing to announce a £1bn tax crackdown on online marketplaces like Amazon and Temu to fund tax cuts for high street shops. At the Budget later this month, the Chancellor is expected to make e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Ebay and Temu responsible for collecting tax owed by the sellers using their site, [...]
We’ll cut Neet support if Healey hikes taxes, warns boss of B&Q owner Kingfisher October 14, 2026 The boss of B&Q-owner Kingfisher has warned John Healey that the FTSE 100 firm may have to cut its support for unemployed young people if the Chancellor hikes taxes. Thierry Garnier, the retail group’s chief executive, wrote in City AM that the Chancellor must exempt shops from the highest bracket of business rates at the [...]