Rachel Reeves explores ‘pro-growth tax reforms’ to business rates September 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves will explore “fixing” cliff-edge business rates, which make small businesses pay higher taxes upon opening a second property, as part of reforms she has described as “pro-growth.” The Chancellor is reviewing changes to the small business rates relief, with a decision expected to be announced at the Autumn Budget on 26 November. Treasury [...]
Brits shy away from buying houses as uncertainty over property tax increases September 11, 2025 Buyer inquiries and sales slipped in August, with ‘ongoing uncertainty’ putting the brakes on the UK’s housing market, according to new data. Agreed sales slipped sharply, with a net balance of 24 per cent of property professionals seeing transactions fall, up from a balance of 17 per cent the previous month, the Royal Institution of [...]
Mark Kleinman: City would sour on Reeves after bank tax September 11, 2025 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column. This week he tackles what a bank tax would do to Reeves’ hard-earned City cache, a top pick for the new HSBC chair, and Oaknorth’s potential move abroad Will she or won’t she? The question of [...]
Labour should be honest about the tax rises to come September 11, 2025 Trying to raise tens of billions of pounds in revenue without touching the three taxes that account for the lion’s share of the total tax haul is like trying to build a bookcase without any nails, screws or glue. You could try it, but you’ll soon regret the attempt. As things stand, Rachel Reeves is [...]
Chancellor concedes higher taxes could hit economic growth September 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged higher taxes could impact economic growth as she seeks to increase private investment in the UK. Speaking at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association summit, the chancellor told investors she had to hike taxes in her maiden budget in order to place finances on a “firm footing and [...]
Mervyn King: UK debt is ‘not in a comfortable position’ September 10, 2025 The UK’s national debt load is “not in a comfortable position” and the government faces a “real challenge” in managing fiscal policy, the former Governor of the Bank of England has said. Speaking to Lords at a committee hearing on Wednesday, Mervyn King said the UK was in a “much stronger position” before the financial [...]
FCA plans to allow contactless payment limits above £100 September 10, 2025 Card providers are set to be given the powers to set their own limits on contactless payments, which are currently set at £100, under proposals set out by the City regulator. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that it will consult industry on whether the rules should be relaxed as part of its task [...]
Princess Yachts back in profit but Rachel Reeves’ Budget forces job cuts September 10, 2025 A luxury yacht builder has surged back into profit and its sales jumped by more than £100m as hundreds of jobs were cut because of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. Plymouth-based Princess Yachts has reported a revenue of £378m for 2024, up from the £276.3m it achieved in 2023, according to new accounts filed with Companies [...]
CBI boss calls for Rachel Reeves to break Labour’s tax pledge September 10, 2025 The boss of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has suggested the chancellor should tear up Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise taxes on working people, as businesses brace themselves ahead of the Autumn Budget. Rachel Reeves is widely expected to introduce a fresh package of tax hikes in her 26 November Budget, in order [...]
No 10 establishes ‘budget board’ to mend fractured business relations September 10, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has created a “budget board” of ministers and officials in a bid to mend broken relations with businesses and the City – and tighten his grip on economic policy. The group will meet weekly to co-ordinate ‘pro growth policies’ ahead of the looming Autumn Budget on 26 November. It is also expected [...]