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 [...]
Job vacancies fall below 700,000 for first time in over five years October 20, 2026 Job vacancies have fallen below 700,000 for the first time in over five years, official data has shown, as the UK labour market continued to show signs of weakening. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said vacancy levels decreased in the three months to September by 21,000. It means the number of job vacancies stood [...]
New West End Company CEO: Healey’s Budget must give High Streets room to grow October 20, 2026 The West End supports more than 350,000 jobs, attracts visitors from across the world and generates significant economic activity and tax revenue for the wider UK. If the cost of operating here continues to rise, the consequences will be felt well beyond London, says Dee Corsi Two years of Autumn Budgets have heaped costs on [...]
The Chancellor should be brave and reform the OBR October 20, 2026 Reforming the OBR will take courage, but it would well be worth it, writes Michael Martins in today's Notebook.
Andrew Griffith: a Conservative government would make taxes lower, simpler and fairer October 20, 2026 The Tax Foundation’s annual International Tax Competitiveness Index, published this week, shows just how far behind we have fallen. Out of 38 OECD countries, Britain ranks just 30th. That’s not good enough, says Andrew Griffith Two weeks ago, I told the Conservative Party Conference that lower, simpler, and fairer taxes would be my personal “North [...]
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, [...]
Wealthy investors accelerate gifting amid fears of Budget tax raid October 20, 2026 Wealthy Brits are accelerating plans to gift money to family members as fears over possible tax changes in the looming Autumn Budget grow. Over 40 per cent of wealthy investors with an average wealth of £3.1m, said they have already gifted money or are seriously considering doing so over Budget worries, according to fresh analysis [...]
‘Disaster’: Advisers raise the alarm on family business tax raid October 19, 2026 John Healey’s potential tax raid on family businesses could make handing down companies to the next generation a “disaster” and damage the economy, advisers have warned. The Chancellor is reportedly considering proposals to levy income tax when business owners hand down to their children, potentially almost doubling the bill. Under current rules, transfers can be [...]
City of London urged against business rates hikes to cover £70m shortfall October 19, 2026 The City of London Corporation has been warned that hiking business rates to cover its £70m budget shortfall would undermine the Square Mile’s global “competitiveness”. The local authority is weighing up whether to increase the business rates multiplier it charges businesses in the Square Mile, but a member of its finance committee has warned that [...]