Business news 14 November 2025
A wave of last-minute tax reversals from the Chancellor dominated today’s news, with income tax hikes, LLP levies and exit charges all pulled back — but SMEs still face growing stealth-tax pressures through frozen thresholds and potential new levies on property. Hiring remains subdued ahead of the Budget, repossessions are rising despite falling arrears, and fresh economic data shows a fragile UK economy that could prompt a December rate cut. Markets turned sharply risk-off, with the FTSE suffering its worst day in seven months and Bitcoin sinking further below $100k. Credit-trading businesses should expect slower payments, tighter cashflow, and increased insolvency risk heading into year-end.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
Business News
1. Chancellor abandons income tax hike
The Government has reversed plans for an income tax rise over fears of voter backlash and economic drag. Smaller revenue-raising measures are now being considered to fill a £30bn fiscal gap.
Why it matters: Higher taxes would have further reduced consumer spending and slowed B2B payments for SMEs relying on customer cashflow.
2. Stealth tax: 10m people to fall into higher-rate bracket
The IFS warns the freeze on tax thresholds until 2030 will pull 790,000 more workers into the 40% rate, bringing the total to 10.1m.
Why it matters: Reduced take-home pay pressures household budgets, leading to slower settlement of credit accounts.
3. Firms freeze hiring ahead of the Budget
Businesses are delaying recruitment as uncertainty over tax and spending plans grows. Permanent hiring remains in contraction.
Why it matters: Hiring freezes signal tightening budgets, a key early warning for rising late payments.
4. Home repossessions rise despite falling arrears
Repossession activity rose sharply in Q3, although arrears fell due to lender support.
Why it matters: Rising repossessions reflect financial stress, increasing default risk among consumer-facing SMEs.
5. Renters’ Rights Act will scrap no-fault evictions
Section 21 will be abolished from May 2026, significantly shifting landlord-tenant dynamics.
Why it matters: Property sector suppliers may face cashflow issues as landlords absorb regulatory and cost pressures.
6. Co-working expected to dominate London offices by 2030
Flexible workspace could reach 20% of the market by 2030.
Why it matters: SMEs may benefit from cheaper, flexible space — but landlords and fit-out suppliers could face pressure.
7. Windfall tax blamed for monthly loss of 1,000 North Sea jobs
Industry leaders warn the levy is eroding skills and investment.
Why it matters: Suppliers to energy firms may face reduced contract opportunities and slower payments.
8. Bitcoin slump wipes out $450bn since October
Bitcoin fell to ~$97,956 amid tech-sector risk aversion.
Why it matters: Crypto-heavy businesses may experience cashflow shocks impacting payment reliability.
9. Palantir plans major UK defence investment
The tech firm sees the UK as a global defence-tech hub despite European hurdles.
Why it matters: Positive for SMEs in defence supply chains seeking stable government-backed contracts.
ECONOMIC STORIES
10. UK economy grows just 0.1% in Q3
Growth underperformed expectations, with September output falling due to a cyber-attack on car production.
Why it matters: Weak growth hits consumer demand and slows payment cycles for SME suppliers.
11. Interest rate cut increasingly likely in December
Economists say the Q3 data almost guarantees a Bank of England rate cut.
Why it matters: Lower rates could ease borrowing costs but may also signal softer demand ahead.
12. National Wealth Fund shows risk-control weaknesses
NAO flags shortcomings in governance and management systems.
Why it matters: Governance concerns reduce confidence in investment programmes SMEs may rely on.
TAX & GOVERNMENT
13. Chancellor scraps tax raid on LLPs
A proposed 7% LLP charge has been dropped after modelling showed it would reduce revenue.
Why it matters: Professional service SMEs avoid significant extra employment cost burdens.
14. Exit tax plan abandoned
Concerns over millionaire flight led to scrapping a proposed levy on departing entrepreneurs.
Why it matters: Supports continued investment and founder-led SME activity in the UK.
15. Mansion tax proposals include deferment option
A 1% levy on £2m+ homes could be deferred until sale or death.
Why it matters: Wealthier business owners may face higher future liabilities, constraining investment.
16. Double council tax on high-value homes urged
IPPR suggests that doubling Band H could fund tax cuts for 20m families.
Why it matters: Higher property taxes may reduce cash available for SME investment by affluent owners.
17. Tories pledge to cut banking red tape
Plan to repeal FCA diversity rules and curb “non-financial” regulation.
Why it matters: Could reduce compliance costs for financial SMEs but signals more political flux in regulation.
18. Tax threshold freeze criticised as “unfair”
The Taxpayers’ Alliance warns middle earners are being dragged into higher tax bands.
Why it matters: Reduced disposable income pressures household-facing SMEs’ revenues and payment behaviour.
Manufacturing
19. Cyber-attack hit car manufacturing output
JLR’s September disruption contributed to the monthly GDP fall.
Why it matters: Manufacturers and supply-chain SMEs face heightened operational risk.
EMPLOYMENT
20. Hiring conditions remain subdued
Temporary hiring stabilised, but permanent roles still contracting.
Why it matters: Slowing job growth signals tighter business budgets and increased credit risk.
GENERAL MARKET NEWS
The FTSE 100 fell 1% — its worst drop since April — as disappointing earnings and ex-dividend adjustments hit financials and big UK names. European markets also slipped after weak corporate results. In the US, markets suffered their sharpest selloff since October, driven by fears the Federal Reserve may delay rate cuts, with Tesla and Nvidia leading declines.
Oil prices jumped after a Ukrainian drone strike on a major Russian port. Gold headed for its best week in a month as investors sought safety, while copper and aluminium eased after weak Chinese data. Natural gas stayed near seasonal lows thanks to steady supply. The pound slipped below $1.3150 after the Chancellor’s tax U-turn, while the euro strengthened on US dollar weakness.
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Insolvency Notices
️ Petitions to Wind Up (Companies)
- ABACUS ESTATES (KENSAL RISE) LIMITED
- ANNED LTD
- ARROWE SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED
- AS CLEAN AS LIMITED
- ASPREY MEDICAL SERVICES LTD
- BANGEL (N.I.) LIMITED
- BARCODE DESIGN LIMITED
- BAWDSEY (1) LIMITED
- BELMOUNT LIMITED
- BENCH BAR LTD
- BLUESTAR PRODUCTS LTD
- BUSINESS SOLUTIONS (ESSEX) LIMITED
- C & M BODY SHOP LIMITED
- CHANIN INVESTMENTS LIMITED
- CHUNG YING HOUSE LIMITED
- CLARKSON FOX LIMITED
- CLIVE REES & ASSOCIATES LTD
- CPA PROPERTY SERVICES LTD
- CPSL GROUP LIMITED
- CPEC TECH LTD
- CRAGG & ROBERTS LIMITED
- CUBE (YORKSHIRE) LTD
- CS CLUBS LTD
- D.JOHNSON CONSULTANCY LTD
- DAMOOR LIMITED
- DRIVERS BY DRIVERS LTD
- DS IT SERVICE MANAGEMENT LTD
- DYNACARE SERVICES LIMITED
- EMY PLANT HIRE LTD
- ETTEVROC LTD
- FOCUS CONTRACTS LIMITED
- FOODBYGONE LIMITED
- GB SERVICES (N.E) LTD
- GLENPALM LIMITED
- GRIND SUBCONTRACTORS LTD
- HIGHLINE CARS FINANCE AND LEASING LTD
- HYBRID HOMES LTD
- I & G CADAR DRY LINING LTD
- ICICLE VEHICLE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- ILS24HEALTH CARE LIMITED
- JORJA HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS LTD
- JS3 RECRUITMENT LTD
- KICKSTARTED FUTURES LTD
- LDSD LIMITED
- LEZERCO UK LTD
- LMR PROPERTY LTD
- MANSTON PARK LIVING LIMITED
- MARINE & DOMESTIC SERVICES T/A THE LAUNDRY LTD
- MCCALLUM FOOD LTD
- MEMBERS CLUB LTD
- M & A METALS LTD
- MIDLAND CHAUFFEUR LTD
- MK EXECUTIVE CARE SERVICES LTD
- ML STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS LTD
- MORGAN HAMMOND CONSULTANCY LTD
- MOTUS INC LTD
- MRH PUB COMPANY LIMITED
- MRE GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
- NORTHWEST DEMOLITION LTD
- NORFOLK STRAW PRODUCTS LTD
- OAKKS CONSULTING LIMITED
- OCTOPUS AUTOMOTIVE LTD
- PAYROLL PROFESSORS LIMITED
- PEM SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- PRITCHARD CONTRACTORS LTD
- PRO MAIN SOLUTIONS LTD
- PRO NETTING ESSEX LIMITED
- RC CARPETS LTD
- RIAE MEDIA LTD
- SANTO MARE TRADING LIMITED
- SOLOMON SAYS CONSULTING LTD
- SOLARUS GROUP LIMITED
- SPARK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
- SPHERE SPECIALIST HEALTHCARE LTD
- SPS MAINTENANCE LTD
- TOTA LIMITED
- TOYS WIZARD UK LIMITED
- TRANSFORMING IT LTD
- TSVETINA LIMITED
- THE STEPHENS AND STEPHENS GROUP LTD
- THURSDAY’S CHILD LTD
- VOSTEK LIMITED
- YARKAM LIMITED
- YAYA’S BISTRO LIMITED
️ Appointment of Administrators
- CLEVERCHEFS LTD
- LANSDOWNE CARE SERVICES LIMITED
- LAW ABSOLUTE LIMITED
- LP SD ONE HUNDRED THREE LIMITED
- LP SD ONE HUNDRED FOUR LIMITED
- SET.BUILD.CREATE LTD
- SOLUTIONS 30 UK LIMITED
- TALON ENGINEERING LIMITED
- WEATHERBREAK WINDOWS LIMITED
️ Appointment of Liquidators