UK banks tax rate rises as fears of a budget raid spike October 15, 2025 The tax rate on the UK banking sector rose in the last financial year as the industry braces for a potential hike to its financial burden in the Autumn Budget. A fresh study from banking industry body UK Finance and PwC revealed London lender’s total tax rate rose 0.6 per cent to 46.4 per cent [...]
The Debate: Should we abolish stamp duty for primary homes? October 15, 2025 Kemi Badenoch's promise to abolish stamp duty was met with cheers by the Conservatives, but is it actually a good idea?
Rachel Reeves: We are looking at tax hikes October 15, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed the government is considering making tax hikes at this year’s Budget, the first time she has made the admission in public. In an interview with Sky News, Reeves admitted that the government was considering raising tax and cutting spending to fill a fiscal hole. The Chancellor said she would “always [...]
Scotch Whisky Association calls for spirits duty freeze as industry headwinds grow October 15, 2025 The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has urged the UK Government to impose a multi-year freeze on spirits duty, warning that continued inaction threatens jobs, investment and Treasury revenues. In a submission ahead of the autumn Budget, the trade body stated that recent duty increases had cost the Treasury £700m while placing a £12 tax burden [...]
Rachel Reeves told to scrap business rates for new profit tax in Budget October 14, 2025 A City accountancy firm has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap business rates in her Autumn Budget and replace them with a new profit tax. Lubbock Fine said business rates, which have been the topic of much lobbying in recent weeks, should make way for a variable local tax on profits. The firm said [...]
Goldman Sachs chief warns Rachel Reeves against bank tax October 14, 2025 The boss of Goldman Sachs has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that an increase to the financial burden slapped on the banking sector would dent economic growth ambitions. In a private meeting with the Chancellor, David Solomon said hitting the industry with higher taxes would dampen wider prospects for the country’s growth. The remarks come ahead [...]
Reeves considers tax breaks for startups in effort to preserve headroom October 13, 2025 Reports have suggested that Rachel Reeves is considering offering entrepreneurs new tax reliefs as she tries to stimulate growth in the economy and unlock productivity. As part of an effort to limit the damage to the current headroom of £9.9bn due to productivity downgrades by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Reeves is reportedly discussing [...]
Reeves warns the rich will ‘contribute more’ as Budget tax squeeze looms October 12, 2025 Rachel Reeves has signalled that wealthier households will be asked to “contribute more” in her Budget next month, as the chancellor seeks to close a £20–30bn gap in the public finances without cutting spending or taking on new debt. Treasury sources told The Telegraph that Reeves will neither reduce public spending nor expand borrowing significantly, [...]
Don’t stop at housing, abolish stamp duty on shares too October 10, 2025 Abolishing stamp duty on housing would be a bold step towards economic renewal. But don't stop there, says Blake Stephenson.
What will Rachel Reeves’ budget pay for and where will the money come from? October 9, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ November budget is fast approaching, and steep tax rises are once again on the cards. Speaking at Labour conference last month, the Chancellor hinted at tax hikes by warning that she will be forced into “harder choices” by “harsh global headwinds”. To balance the books in accordance with her much-discussed fiscal rules, Reeves [...]