Consumer confidence is ‘bleak’ ahead of Budget November 21, 2025 Consumer confidence has cratered ahead of the Budget according to a leading survey closely monitored by policymakers at the Treasury and Bank of England. The GfK consumer confidence barometer has shown the overall index falling to -19 in November, slightly lower than at the same time a year ago. The survey of around 2,000 individuals [...]
Reeves vows to halve consultancy bill, but government can’t track its spending November 21, 2025 Despite the government setting an ambitious target to halve overall spending on consultants, a new report suggests, the lack of consistent data hinders efforts to track progress toward spending targets. Rachel Reeves has set targets to halve the UK government’s overall spending on consultants in 2025-26 and to save £550m in 2024-25, aiming for £700m [...]
UK founders slam Labour as “anti-business” November 20, 2025 UK founders are increasingly losing confidence in Labour’s approach to businesses, as they brace for potential tax rises in the upcoming Autumn Budget. According to the latest survey from entrepreneur network Helm – whose members oversee more than £8bn in annual revenue – over 60 per cent of founders hailed the government as “anti-business” with [...]
High earners and entrepreneurs to get immigration rule carve-out November 20, 2025 High earners and innovators are set to be handed softer rules on settled status despite an immigration crackdown led by home secretary Shabana Mahmood. Under sweeping reforms to the legal migration system, Mahmood has revealed she is planning on only letting people arriving in the UK from 2021 to gain settled status, formally known as [...]
Lack of London office space a ‘major economic risk’, Reeves warned November 20, 2025 London Property Alliance has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to recognise offices as essential economic infrastructure to boost the capital’s competitiveness. The organisation said that London faces planning barriers, rising costs and a shrinking supply of modern office space, with a 54 per cent drop in major planning applications over the past decade. “The Chancellor… [...]
Budget chaos isn’t a game, it’s caused real harm November 20, 2025 It’s been the longest run-up to a Budget anyone can remember, it started just after the last Budget, so how much damage has this chaos caused? In her first speech as Chancellor in the first week of July last year, Rachel Reeves used the word stability 8 times. She pledged to “deliver economic stability” and [...]
Investec looks to mid-market businesses in growth push November 20, 2025 International banking giant Investec is preparing to scale its core business by increasing its services to mid-market companies. The FTSE 250 stalwart called the market space “underserved”, with many mid-cap businesses failing to have their need for revenue growth met by corporate banks who often don’t offer a personalised service and may be more risk [...]
Brits delay moving houses over Budget fears November 20, 2025 Nearly one in five Brits considering moving house have stalled their plans ahead of the Budget, a new survey has indicated, in a fresh warning to the Treasury about the damage caused by leaks and speculation. Around 17 per cent of potential movers surveyed by property website Rightmove said they have paused their plans to [...]
Rachel Reeves must break this manifesto pledge November 20, 2025 Britain is stuck in a debt doom loop. Rachel Reeves must break a manifesto pledge to get us out of it, writes Ticiana Alencar.
OBR questioned on Reeves’ flip-flopping and forecast changes November 20, 2025 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)’s chief has been questioned on whether he dramatically upgraded forecasts midway through the Chancellor’s Budget planning, affording Rachel Reeves as much as a £10bn swing in headroom projections and allowing her to abandon plans to raise income taxes. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has written to Richard Hughes, chair of [...]