Business news 11 September 2025
Chancellor concedes tax hikes may hinder growth, plus some of the business headlines, market news, insolvencies & other stories that we thought would interest our members.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
💼Chancellor concedes tax hikes may hinder growth
Rachel Reeves has acknowledged that tax increases could negatively affect economic growth while addressing the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association summit. The Chancellor said: “I do recognise that tax policy does impact economic growth. One of the reasons why I spoke about the need for spending restraint at Cabinet yesterday is that I recognise [that] to make sure that the numbers add up it’s not just what you bring in, it’s also what you’re spending. But crucial for all of this is economic growth. If you can grow the economy, you can make these decisions around tax and spend so much easier.” The Chancellor’s comments come after the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) called on her to ditch Labour’s manifesto commitment not to hike taxes on working people. Commenting on the move, Matthew Lesh in the Telegraph said the argument was “self-serving yet understandable” but the approach from the CBI “is strategically short-sighted and economically misconceived” as it would simply feed into Britain’s economic doom-loop.
🛜Britain’s £5bn digital tax dilemma
The UK could lose over £5bn if it succumbs to Donald Trump’s pressure to eliminate the digital services tax on tech giants like Amazon. This tax is expected to raise between £4.4bn and £5.2bn from 2024 to 2029, sufficient to train 128,000 nurses, according to TaxWatch analysis. Trump has threatened tariffs on countries imposing such taxes. However, data from HMRC reveals that 37% of companies liable for the tax are not based in the US. Lib Dem MP Victoria Collins stated: “The public knows tech giants need to pay their fair share.”
⚖️Government tackles business rates cliff edges
The Government is addressing ‘cliff edges’ in business rates that disproportionately affect small firms. The Treasury is considering changes to small business rates relief, which currently offers a 100% discount for properties valued at £12,000 or less. This relief tapers for properties valued between £12,000 and £15,000. The proposed reforms aim to eliminate sudden increases in bills when businesses expand. Labour is contemplating a gradual tax increase model similar to income tax. The Chancellor faces pressure from large retailers concerned about potential rate hikes affecting 4,000 stores.
📈Markets
📈Yesterday, the FTSE 100 closed down 0.19% at 9225.39 and the Euro Stoxx 50 closed down 0.14% at 5361.47. Overnight in the US the S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 6532.04 and the Composite NASDAQ rose 0.03% to 21886.06 (both fresh highs) driven by Oracle’s surge and an unexpected decline in producer prices.
The US Producer Price Index, which measures input costs across a broad array of goods and services, dropped 0.1% for the month, after a downwardly revised 0.7% increase in July and well off the estimate for a 0.3% rise.
Oracle (+36%) had its biggest jump in 33 years after the software company gave a robust forecast for its cloud-infrastructure business, a sign of strong AI-related demand,
Investors are holding back on major bets before today’s US inflation data, which is seen as key to shaping Fed rate expectations.
Citi strategists see equity markets continuing to deliver upside over the next few months, especially in Europe and Japan.
💱This morning on currencies, the pound is currently worth $1.3506 and €1.1555 . G-10 currencies are trading in tight ranges as markets await US inflation data.
On Commodities, 🛢️Oil (Brent) is at $67.40 & 💰Gold is at $3620. Gold is showing ‘classic stagflationary behavior’ as it approaches $3,700.
📈On the stock markets, the FTSE 100 is currently up 0.41% at 9263.14. And the Eurostoxx 50 is up 0.22% at 5373.10.
🏦Mervyn King concerned about high debt levels
Mervyn King, a former Governor of the Bank of England, has warned that the UK Government faces a “real challenge” in managing fiscal policy as national debt continues to grow. Speaking to Lords at a committee hearing on Wednesday, King said the UK was less able to deal with a financial crisis now than it was before the 2008 crash. “Some people have drawn comfort from the fact that the recent rise in long term interest rates has been true across the G7. But that simply means that we are all in the same mess, rather than just the UK,” King explained. Although the UK could “cope” in a future crisis, King said: “I think we are not in a comfortable position.” The UK is set to pay over £105bn to service its debt this year with the debt-to-GDP ratio now standing at 96.1%.
💳FCA grants card providers power over contactless limits
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on proposals to allow card providers, such as American Express and Barclaycard, to set their own limits on contactless payments, currently capped at £100. David Geale, FCA’s executive director of payments and digital finance, said: “It’s the right time to let firms tailor contactless payments to fit their customers’ needs.” While most companies are expected to maintain the £100 limit initially, the FCA aims to enhance flexibility and innovation in payment methods. The consultation period will conclude in just over a month.
🍺Wetherspoons boss slams tax disparity
Tim Martin, CEO of Wetherspoons, has condemned the disparity between taxes on supermarket and levies on pubs. He stated that pubs pay 20 times more in business rates per pint than supermarkets, with taxes accounting for 28p of a £5 pint compared to just 1.5p for supermarkets. Martin said: “This tax disparity is harming businesses and high streets, but also the social fabric of the nation.” The British Beer and Pub Association’s Emma McClarkin called the situation “absolutely heartbreaking,” urging reforms to business rates and beer duty.
⚖️Reeves tells investors she wants to ‘take out more regulators’
The Chancellor has announced plans to reduce the number of regulators in the UK to stimulate economic growth. Speaking at the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association summit, Rachel Reeves said: “I want to take out more regulators; there’s still too many.” She highlighted recent actions, including the dismissal of the Competition and Markets Authority chair and constraints on the Financial Ombudsman Service. She pointed to the need for regulatory reforms to facilitate business, particularly in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, now led by former City minister Emma Reynolds.
💰Reeves limits departmental spending ahead of Budget
Rachel Reeves has announced restrictions on access to the £9bn Treasury Reserve for government departments. The decision aims to ensure departments maximise savings before seeking emergency funds. The Chancellor stressed the need to adhere to borrowing rules, stating: “I do not think there is anything progressive about spending £100bn a year on paying off debts accrued by previous governments.” The upcoming Budget, scheduled for 26 November, will outline tax and spending plans amid pressures to boost economic growth while managing public finances. Estimates suggest Reeves may need to find between £25bn and £50bn to meet her targets.
🏢CMA takes on the UK’s scale-up challenge
The chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority writes in City AM on the challenge of keeping UK scale-ups in the country. Sarah Cardell says new analysis from its Microeconomics Unit suggests the answer is nuanced. Competition can drive investment, particularly for start-ups reliant on access to finance. However, heavy regulation may hinder venture capital for scale-ups. Mature firms invest based on market competition, while global superstars face mixed effects from trade. Cardell says the regulator will be talking to investors, businesses, policymakers and academics over the coming months with the view to helping the UK find ways to “unlock opportunities for British scale-ups to become globally consequential firms.”
🧬UK life sciences investment in decline
The UK is struggling to attract global investment in its life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, according to a report from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The report, conducted with PwC, reveals that foreign direct investment fell to £795m in 2023, down 58% from £1.9bn in 2017. Merck’s decision to cancel a £1bn investment in a London research centre highlights the industry’s concerns. Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca have also paused investments, citing an uncompetitive environment. Eli Lilly’s CEO stated: “urgent action” is needed to reverse the decline.
💊Mercky news
Merck is canceling its plans for a £1 billion London research hub and pulling the plug on its early drug research in the UK. The US drugmaker blamed the move on the UK government’s failure to invest enough in the life sciences sector and underpaying for new drugs. The decision will eliminate 125 jobs and cancel plans for 800 more. Global pharmaceutical firms have railed against the UK’s efforts to extract larger rebates from drugmakers, a proposal that threatens to make the country “uninvestable,”
🚨Latest Insolvencies
- Appointment of Administrator – WWRT LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – REVOLUTION-ZERO GROUP LTD
- Appointment of Administrator – CMS SUPATRAK LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – CAMBRIDGE GLYCOSCIENCE LTD
- Appointment of Administrator – H.E. SIMM & SON LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – D & S MARINE AND LEISURE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – ASHCOURT ROWAN LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – VIGIE IWS REMEDIATION UK LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – LANNRAIG MASTER ISSUER PLC
- Appointment of Liquidators – THEEMIS CONSULTING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – PRIORY PHARMA CONSULTING LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – KAPITAL L LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – DAYTONVILLE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SPINDRIFT TRADING LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – VEOLIA WATER CAPITAL SERVICES LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – INFOSTRETCH UK LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – RICOH PENSIONS TRUSTEE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – LANNRAIG FUNDING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – TOWRY FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – NCL (NOMINEES) LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – STADIUM WAY MANAGEMENT LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SDPSA (HOLDINGS) LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – NCL INVESTMENTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – KEM EVENTS LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – JMAC ENERGY SOLUTIONS LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – THE LK TRADING GROUP LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SWAN SYSTEMS FURNITURE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – ASHDOWN HOMES LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – IPM ENERGY RETAIL LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SLATE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – IPM HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CL PROJECTS FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – ANGU AKSHU AND AAVIK ETHAN LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SASTA GROUP LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – PADCORP LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – ELITE FIBRE LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – C.WILSON JOINERY&BUILDING LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – FFTE DEVELOPMENTS LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – BASUKA CONSULTING LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – SOS WHOLESALE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – 3Z NAMING RIGHTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – JETSEAL LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – OMNIUM LONDON LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – TBDA INVESTORS (NO. 2) LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – RADIOTEK LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – JBT STORAGE & DISTRIBUTION LTD
➕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.