Business News

This section contains the latest business news stories.

Urgent action required to help small firms unlock trade benefits

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for 'urgent action' to help small firms unlock trade deal benefits.

Chancellor refuses to rule out raising taxes in Autumn Budget

In a pre-Autumn Budget speech from Downing Street, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out raising taxes in the upcoming Autumn Budget on 26 November.

CIOT calls for implementation of IHT transitional gifting rule

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has urged the government to implement a transitional rule to allow older farmers and other business owners to gift assets to the younger generation free of Inheritance Tax (IHT) before changes take effect in April 2026.

More small firms expect to shrink than grow

Research published by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed that more small firms expect their business to shrink rather than grow over the next year.

UK could fall behind in net zero race, BCC warns

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that the UK could fall behind in the race to achieve net zero.

Expert advisory panel to provide industry insight on R&D tax relief

HMRC recently appointed six independent industry specialists to a new Research and Development (R&D) Expert Advisory Panel.

Small business owners 'fear consequences of Budget announcements'

Research carried out by Novuna Business Finance has suggested that eight in ten small firms are worried about the impact of the upcoming Autumn Budget announcements.

Budget should tackle hiring issues, says BCC

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the Autumn Budget to combat 'persistent' hiring problems.

Give State Pension its own PAYE scheme, says LITRG

The Treasury should make it easier for state pensioners to pay any tax they owe with a Pay as You Earn (PAYE) scheme, says the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Real Living Wage rates increase for half a million workers

Almost half a million UK workers will receive a pay boost when the Real Living Wage rates rise.

Chancellor announces 'blitz on business bureaucracy'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently announced a 'blitz on business bureaucracy', with cuts to red tape that the government says will save firms £6 billion.

UK inflation rate remains at 3.8%

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the rate of inflation held steady at 3.8% in the year to September.

Employers named and shamed for minimum wage breaches

The government has named and shamed nearly 500 employers who failed to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Chancellor must avoid 'doing bare minimum' in Budget

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that she must 'avoid doing the bare minimum' in the upcoming Autumn Budget on 26 November in order to dodge a 'fiscal Groundhog Day' next year.