Budget 2025: What exactly is happening with business rates? November 26, 2025 Long-awaited changes to business rates were finally announced in the Budget, with a lower rate for small companies to be paid for by a higher levy for large firms. Retailers have been railing against for business rates for years, with concerns that the tax creates an unfair playing field between high street and online firms, which [...]
OBR warns Budget leaves UK ‘vulnerable’ as tax burden hits all-time high November 26, 2025 The UK’s public finances have been left in a vulnerable position, the UK’s fiscal watchdog has warned in a damning verdict of Rachel Reeves’ Budget. In a report accidentally published before the Budget was announced, the Office for Budget Responsibility said Reeves’ spending plans leave the UK spending more on debt interest than at almost [...]
Budget ‘chaos’ may stall interest rate cuts November 26, 2025 The “chaos” around Budget measures may delay further interest rate cuts as the Bank of England figures through the effects of a flurry of tax rises, despite Rachel Reeves’ stated commitment to set the conditions for borrowing costs to be lowered. The Chancellor has said curbing the cost of living was a key “priority” at [...]
David Lammy proposing to scrap some jury trials to tackle backlog November 25, 2025 As the criminal justice system continues to crumble, the justice secretary David Lammy is reportedly proposing a major shake-up that would scrap some jury trials. Currently, all criminal trials are heard in front of a jury that decides on the accused’s fate; however, Lammy’s proposal will see jury trials only for murder, rape or manslaughter [...]
BCC boss: Enough taxes. The Budget must tell a positive story November 25, 2025 Last autumn, the British Chambers of Commerce and its members were left shell-shocked when a party that promised to be the most ‘pro-business in history’ used its maiden Budget to deliver a succession of hammer blows to the private sector. Having shouldered the burden last year, boss Shevaun Haviland wants this year’s instalment to paint [...]
Cheers to Choice: Brits Want a Say in How they Drink this Festive Season November 25, 2025 New data show that adults are rejecting guilt this festive period amid appreciation of moderation over absolutes
OBR to downgrade growth forecasts ‘in every year’ to 2030 November 24, 2025 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is set to downgrade growth forecasts at the Budget this week for every year of the forecast period amid revisions to trend productivity projections. Sky News reports that the OBR is expected to cut its growth predictions, which have been more optimistic than those published by City forecasters, in [...]
Nvidia invests in Revolut as $75bn valuation secured November 24, 2025 Nvidia has invested in London fintech Revolut as the firm secured a $75bn (£57bn) valuation in a secondary share sale. The chip giant participated in the share sale via its venture capital arm, NVentures, alongside a group of top investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Franklin Templeton, and T. Rowe Price Associates. The transaction was led by [...]
City of London policy chairman: Bank levy should be wound down November 24, 2025 Financial and professional services underpin the country’s global competitiveness. The Budget should support banks, writes Chris Hayward.
Reeves accused of ‘fiscal fandango’ amid OBR forecast changes November 23, 2025 The Bank of England’s former chief economist Andy Haldane has accused Rachel Reeves of overseeing “fiscal fandango” in the lead-up to the Budget amid months of speculation around expected tax rises. Speaking to the BBC, Haldane blasted months of speculation around the Budget that had caused “paralysis” in the UK economy. His comments came days [...]