Hiking VAT would have ‘serious negative impact’, economists warn Reeves October 10, 2025 A hike to VAT would “have a serious negative impact” on the UK, leading economists have warned, as the chancellor weighs which taxes to put up at next month’s Budget to plug a £30bn shortfall. An increase in the sales levy would have the biggest negative impact of any major tax rise, leading to a [...]
Tech and talent at risk as Reeves eyes tax hikes in November budget October 7, 2025 Britain’s tech sector is bracing for impact as fears grow that Labour’s upcoming Budget could drive investors, and their capital, out of the country. Brent Hoberman, co-founder of Lastminute.com and a prominent supporter of UK start-ups through Founders Forum and Firstminute Capital, warned that venture capital (VC) funds are actively considering relocation to Europe if [...]
‘Disappointment’ and muted activity: Dealmakers sour on UK market October 7, 2025 UK dealmakers’ faith in the economy has slumped to its lowest in nine years with executives blaming a string of policy blunders and a sluggish deal environment for weighing on market activity. Over half of Britain’s private equity and corporate finance bosses feel negative about the next 18-24 months, according to a fresh poll of [...]
Tories: Reeves gambling with lives over mooted betting tax October 6, 2025 Rachel Reeves has been accused of “gambling with lives” ahead of a mulled tax rise on the gambling sector in November’s Budget. The Chancellor is tipped to hike the levy on bookies from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, in line with online casinos, in a move critics say could decimate horse racing and [...]
A competent Chancellor would break Britain’s high tax, high spend doom loop September 25, 2025 Economic alarm bells are blaring, but Rachel Reeves has stuck her fingers in her ears, says shadow chancellor Mel Stride Britain’s economy is on the brink. We’re set for the highest inflation in the G7; unemployment is at a four-year high; and GDP growth is pitiful – in July it was literally zero. Meanwhile, borrowing [...]
Rachel Reeves ‘has no interest in hospitality’ after ‘reckless’ taxes September 23, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves “has no interest in hospitality”, according to nighttime adviser Sacha Lord, who also branded her National Insurance increases in last year’s Autumn Budget “both reckless and short sighted”. Lord, who is a member of the Labour Party, said the 2024 Budget was a “disaster for hospitality” which resulted “in many closures and [...]
KPMG: UK taxes to rise steadily to combat mounting public spending pressures September 22, 2025 The UK government faces tough tax choices in the years ahead with mounting public spending pressures versus sluggish economic growth, according to new forecasts. Economists for KPMG said it had been an unexpectedly strong start to 2025 but the second half was looking more uncertain. The accountancy giant is forecasting UK gross domestic product (GDP) [...]
Autumn Budget: Rachel Reeves told to scrap ‘not fit for purpose’ Lifetime ISA September 12, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that the Lifetime ISA (LISA) is “not fit for purpose and must be reformed” in the Autumn Budget. Tom Goddard, a senior associate at audit, tax and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, has argued that the LISA “must be reformed to not conflict with shared ownership schemes”. The LISA [...]
‘It’s not a fair fight’: HMV boss issues Rachel Reeves Autumn Budget tax demand September 8, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to reform business rates in the Autumn Budget by the boss of HMV. Phil Halliday, in an up-coming episode of CityAM‘s Boardroom Uncovered show, said the current system should be altered to make it fairer for UK retailers. The managing director added that businesses such as HMV are [...]
Thousands face fines after HMRC misses CGT update August 29, 2025 Tax experts have warned that “tens of thousands” of people could fall foul of penalties this year after tech issues left HMRC’s online filing system unable to properly reflect the recent changes to capital gains tax as implemented in Rachel Reeves’ first budget last year. The chancellor’s Autumn Budget increased CGT rates on disposals of [...]