Business news 9 September 2025
Small businesses brace for budget blow. UK hiring intentions plummet. Infrastructure finance, tax doom loop, defence spending, grocery inflation, market news, insolvencies & other stories that we thought would interest our members.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
💼Small businesses brace for budget blow
Small business owners are increasingly concerned that the upcoming Autumn Budget, scheduled for November 26, may adversely affect their growth and finances. Key worries include potential increases in national insurance, VAT, and income tax, which could hinder expansion. Joanna Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, said: “Small businesses want support to power their growth plans forward.” Research shows that 84% of small businesses now prioritise the UK market for growth, a significant rise from 64% in 2017, reflecting a shift away from international expansion.
🧑🏻💼UK hiring intentions plummet
The UK has experienced the steepest decline in hiring intentions among 20 European countries, according to ManpowerGroup UK. Only 41% of employers planned to hire last year, but that optimism has dwindled, with the gap between hiring and firing intentions now at just 11%. Petra Tagg, director of ManpowerGroup UK, stated: “It’s a tough outlook for the UK at the moment.” Tagg went on to warn that employers may turn to automation instead of hiring new staff.
🏭UK infrastructure financing set for record high
UK infrastructure financing is set to reach a record high this year, driven by investor competition and government-backed projects. Infralogic reports that £28.13bn of debt was issued in the first eight months, with projections suggesting at least £42.5bn by the end of 2025. Jessamy Gallagher, co-head of energy and real assets at Freshfields, noted a significant increase in deal activity, particularly in energy transition and digital projects. The Government’s commitment to private finance and recent planning reforms have further boosted investor confidence, with £725bn earmarked for infrastructure spending.
🌀Badenoch warns of tax doom loop
Kemi Badenoch will today accuse Rachel Reeves of creating a “tax doom loop” that leaves households £1,700 poorer. In a speech, she will highlight the Government’s deficit, projected to double from £16.3bn to over £32bn in five years. The Tory leader will urge Sir Keir Starmer to collaborate on reducing the £300bn welfare bill, stating: “If he is serious about cutting spending… we will help him in the national interest.” She will go on to warn that Labour’s economic policies threaten essential services and calls for a reset in the relationship with businesses to foster growth.
🏬HMV calls for business rates reform
Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reform business rates in the upcoming Autumn Budget. He argues that the current system unfairly burdens UK retailers, contributing to store closures. Halliday said: “We feel within the retail community that there should be a fairer distribution of tax burden.” HMV recently suspended plans to open new stores due to increased taxes from the Chancellor’s previous Budget. Retail leaders have warned that job losses are “inevitable” if the tax situation remains unchanged.
🪖Tugendhat welcomes call for defence investment boost
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat has endorsed a report advocating for increased financial services involvement in UK defence spending. The report, by DWP Technology, highlights the need for private capital investment and public-private partnerships to enhance national security. Co-author Air Marshal Andrew Turner stressed the interdependence of security investment and national growth. The report comes as the UK Government pledged £250m for five defence growth deals, aiming to foster collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and research institutions.
🛒Grocery Inflation
UK Grocery Inflation held firm in July, according to fresh data from UBS’s Evidence Lab, which tracks like-for-like prices across the Big Four and Aldi. Overall, industry average price growth for identical products came in at 4.2%, unchanged from June and notably below the latest Kantar reading of 5.0% and the Retail Price Index at 5.7%.
Food sales in the UK increased by 4.7% year-on-year, primarily due to rising prices rather than volume growth. Retail sales rose 3.1% in August, aided by favourable weather and an interest rate cut, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. However, Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, noted that: “Despite a better summer, retailers approach the ‘golden quarter’ with caution.” Consumer confidence has declined, with 89% of UK consumers worried about food price increases. Barclays reported a 0.5% rise in consumer card spending, down from 1.4% in July.
⬅️Union leaders urge Starmer to shift left
Union leaders are pressing Sir Keir Starmer to adopt a more leftist stance, demanding a wealth tax and increased workers’ rights. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak stated that the Government must demonstrate its commitment to workers. He called for a windfall tax on bank profits and gambling companies, alongside lifting the two-child benefit cap.
📈Markets
📈Yesterday, the FTSE 100 closed up 0.14% at 9221.44 and the Euro Stoxx 50 closed up 0.84% at 5362.81. Overnight in the US the S&P 500 rose 0.21% to 6495.15 and the Composite NASDAQ rose 0.45% to 21798.70.
The S&P 500 Index climbed on Monday, with a rally in tech stocks helping lift the index near record highs amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest-rates next week.
💱This morning on currencies, the pound is currently worth $1.3566 and €1.1544 .
On Commodities, 🛢️Oil (Brent) is at $66.80 & 💰Gold is at $3646 (new highs).
📈On the stock markets, the FTSE 100 is currently up 0.23% at 9242.68. And the Eurostoxx 50 is up 0.13% at 5369.95.
🏦HSBC warns of delayed rate cuts
HSBC predicts that the Bank of England (BoE) will not reduce interest rates until April 2026 due to concerns about rising inflation. The bank noted that price increases in the UK are more severe than in other Western economies, with inflation currently at 3.8% and expected to reach 4% later this year. BoE governor Andrew Bailey acknowledged uncertainty regarding future rate cuts, saying last week: “There is considerably more doubt” about the timing of any reductions.
🗞️News Corp
Rupert Murdoch’s family settled litigation over a trust that holds controlling interests in News Corp. and Fox, putting Lachlan Murdoch in charge of the family empire while his siblings took a cash settlement of about $1.1 billion each.
🥪 Pret A Manger write down
Pret A Manger Ltd had an operating loss of £452 million in 2024, including a non-cash goodwill impairment of £553 million, after writing down the value of the British sandwich chain. The company cited difficult trading conditions and higher costs, including higher employers’ national insurance contributions, as reasons for the loss. Chief Executive Officer Pano Christou said the hospitality industry is under “intense” strain. Despie this, Pret’s sales grew by 10% last year to £1.2 billion, and the brand is seeking to expand, with a goal to grow from 500 locations to around 1,000 to 1,500 by focusing on city centers and transport hubs.
🛢️Ineos pulls UK investments amid instability
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Energy has ceased investments in the UK. They labeled it “one of the most unstable fiscal regimes in the world.” Brian Gilvary, executive chairman, stated that £3bn will be redirected to the US after closing the Grangemouth oil refinery, resulting in 430 job losses. Ratcliffe cited high carbon taxes as a barrier to investment, claiming they “merely shift production and emissions elsewhere.” Ineos has already begun investing in US operations, including acquisitions in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, outgoing French prime minister Francois Bayrou warned MPs in Paris not to introduce a wealth tax as part of efforts to cut the country’s deficit, citing the exodus of rich foreigners from Britain after non-dom changes here. Bayrou’s government collapsed after failing to pass an austerity budget aimed at reducing France’s €44bn deficit. With rising social discontent and calls for action, pressure mounts on President Emmanuel Macron to either call snap elections or resign.
🧑🏻🌾Inheritance tax threatens UK food security
Britain’s food security is at risk due to proposed changes to inheritance tax reliefs for farms and family businesses, according to a survey by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Nearly 80% of farmers fear their businesses may not survive the next decade, with over 60% considering selling their farms. The changes could lead to significant tax liabilities, forcing heirs to sell productive land or incur debt. Sarah Jordan, a partner at Moore Barlow, says the implications extend beyond individual farms, threatening national food production.
⛏️Anglo American
Anglo American is to merge with Teck Resources in one of the biggest mining deals in more than a decade. Anglo will represent about two-thirds of the new company, while Teck will make up a third. Anglo will pay its shareholders a $4.5 billion special dividend.
💼Haigh calls for Reeves to cut reliance on OBR
Louise Haigh, a leading Labour backbencher, has sharply criticised Rachel Reeves for her “excessive deference” to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). In an article for the New Statesman, Haigh argued that the Chancellor should revise the OBR’s remit to better account for child poverty and progressive taxation. She also called for reform of the Bank of England’s quantitative tightening programme and for a reduction in interest paid to banks on reserves held at the central bank.
🚨Latest Insolvencies
- Appointment of Administrator – THE LITTLE CAR COMPANY LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – TALENTBOOK LTD
- Appointment of Administrator – QUALITEACH LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – PIGS MIGHT FLY LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – JPMORGAN LIFE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SPITSAND CONSULTANCY LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – NIKIARF CONSULTING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – RITCHIE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – GREEN ROSE FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – HEGDE & HEGDE CONSULTANTS UK PRIVATE LTD.
- Appointment of Liquidators – FRO III MARCHE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – FISH AND SAIL UNLIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – WILLIAM CORBETT & CO. LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – MARK HAINES CONSULTING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – E J CUNNINGHAM LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – FRASER STUART ASSOCIATES LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – THE CONTRACTS DEPARTMENT LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – POTENTIAL IN ME C.I.C.
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – K WEST TRANSPORT LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – PROSELL LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CAVALIERI IT LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – LAKESHORE SERVICES LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – DAVIS ACQUISITIONS LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – VICKBENOK LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CLOVER RESIDENTS LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – GREENWELD (S.E.) LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – PAT COTTER INDUSTRIAL COATING SPECIALIST LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – RETAILNEXT RP UK LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CB BROKERS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – NOEL MARSHALL HOLIDAY HOME ESTATES (2004) LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – LEE XIOURIS LTD
- Appointment of Administrator – G.R. & M.M. BLACKLEDGE PLC
- Appointment of Liquidators – P.W. COOLE & SON LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – HONEYCOMB STRATEGY LIMITED
➕Why you should become a member of CPA!
The Credit Protection Association (CPA) has been assisting thousands of UK businesses to get paid, since 1914. We have supported our members through all sorts of difficult trading environments. we face high interest rates, a struggling economy and elevated insolvencies. CPA’s services can help your business navigate these difficult waters.
We are unlike other credit management and debt collection companies. We offer a range of services to our members. They are all included as part of a fixed annual subscription, tailored to your needs.
🎁What CPA membership gives you
Under your annual subscription you will have access to our main services:
- Our Creditcare credit reports give clear credit ratings and credit limits. Along with a host of detailed information on your potential customers. Our Creditcare reports empower you to trade with confidence.
- Our monitoring service will alert you to any significant changes in the status of those customers.
- ️Our Overdue account recovery service can be used to chase up payment on any late payments. But it is unlike other debt collection companies. This service directs your customer to pay direct to you. Having to pay a third party can be damaging. Encouraging them to pay you direct is different. It maintains your goodwill with them. Its effective too. Our Overdue account recovery service resolves over 80% of accounts referred to us.
All of the above services and other complimentary services (e.g. address verification), are included in your subscription!
And what of the small minority of debts not resolved through our Overdue account recovery service? You can refer the debt to our collections department to escalate the late payment collections process.
Summary
CPA eases cash from tardy debtors – Efficiently, Effectively, Economically and Ethically. We provide credit information so you can monitor and assess your key customers and be warned of any potential risks.
How has CPA has been improving business cash flow for over 100 years? By tackling late payers and campaigning against the late payment culture in the UK.
We are unlike other credit management companies. We offer our members a fixed annual subscription regardless of how high the value of their debts maybe!
Many businesses resort to borrowing more money to improve cashflow. CPA suggests that business owners tackle the cashflow problem at its source. Are late payments are a strain on your cashflow? Then talk to CPA about how we can help you reduce those late payments.
Just ☎️ call Peter Uwins, CPA’s National Sales Manager, on 020 8846 0000 (business hours) or 💻 email nsm@cpa.co.uk today.
When you see your money come in, you will be so glad you used CPA.
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections
Do you have a commercial late payer that is causing you grief?
Use CPA’s no-win, no-fee, commercial debt recovery service!
Do you have a particular business customer who is late paying and causing you sleepless nights? Why not ask CPA’s collection department to buy it on recourse?
CPA’s collection department will then pursue the debt. We will be liable for any costs incurred. When we have recovered the debt, we will pay you the net principle debt recovered less our fixed percentage.
Our hope
We hope that once you have enjoyed success you will want to try more. You might consider becoming members. Taking out a subscription is the most cost effective way to access our services. Membership includes our Overdue Account Recovery service. But also our Creditcare reports and a range of other complimentary services.
Just call ☎️ 020 8846 0000 and ask for Godfrey Nelson or Cris Shirley (business hours) or 💻email debtpurchase@cpa.co.uk today.
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.
Get compensated for past late payments
Have you been paid late by business customers in the last six years?
Maybe you no longer work with them. Under ⚖️ legislation, you are entitled to compensation you for those late payments you have suffered.
You put up with the PAIN ⚡ – now claim the GAIN! 💰
Claim late payment compensation (LPC) from former business customers who paid you late in the last six years!
CPA (LPC) Recoveries is using our bespoke software and decades of experience to do just that for our clients
Check our compensation calculator to see how much your business could be owed!
Discover NOW the potential value of late payment compensation hidden in your sales ledger!
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.