Business news 21 October 2025
The UK’s heavy property tax burden and rising borrowing costs weigh on growth, as Rachel Reeves pledges £6bn in red-tape cuts and the Crown Estate launches a £4.5bn life sciences project..
James Salmon, Operations Director.
UK property taxes drag down growth
The UK ranks 32nd out of 38 in the Tax Foundation’s International Tax Competitiveness Index, with excessive property taxes and complex rules blamed for stifling growth. The Adam Smith Institute says stamp duty “belongs in the 17th century,” and restrictive capital allowances make Britain an outlier for building investment. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride urged reform to “maximise growth and productivity.”
Top 1% pay a third of UK taxes
HMRC figures show the top 1% of taxpayers contributed £93.8bn in 2023/24—around a third of total income and capital gains receipts. Analysts warn the abolition of the non-dom scheme may drive wealth abroad.
Reeves vows to slash red tape
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil measures cutting £6bn of unnecessary regulation and simplifying reporting for 100,000 firms. The Treasury says the reforms could save businesses £1.5bn a year initially, rising to £6bn by 2030.
Borrowing surge piles pressure on Treasury
UK government borrowing hit £99.8bn in the first half of the fiscal year—£7.2bn more than forecast—as higher debt interest pushed September’s deficit to its worst level since the pandemic. Analysts expect tax rises in next month’s Budget.
Crown Estate backs £4.5bn science hub
The Crown Estate has acquired a major Oxfordshire site for a £4.5bn life sciences project, part of a wider £10bn investment package announced by the Treasury to stimulate growth.
Construction at 11-year low
UK office, retail and warehouse construction has fallen 21% year-on-year to its weakest level since 2014, reflecting high costs, weak demand and Brexit uncertainty. Recovery is expected to be slow.
AWS outage highlights cloud dependence
Amazon Web Services resolved a 15-hour disruption that hit banks, retailers and gaming firms worldwide. The malfunction underlines the global economy’s reliance on a few tech giants for digital infrastructure.
Pizza Hut UK collapses again
DC London Pie Ltd, which bought Pizza Hut’s UK operations out of insolvency earlier this year, has entered administration—closing 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites. Yum! Brands has bought back 64 outlets in a pre-pack deal, saving 1,276 jobs.
FCA faces scrutiny over Ponzi delay
MPs have criticised the Financial Conduct Authority for waiting eight months to warn the public about the £200m “79th Group” investment scheme, which continued to attract investors while under investigation.
Law firms resilient despite risks
PwC’s Law Firm Survey 2025 shows the top ten UK law firms grew revenue by 8.1%, outpacing global peers, though 90% cite cybersecurity as their biggest concern.
Global minerals race intensifies
The US and Australia will jointly invest $3bn in critical minerals to reduce dependence on China, which recently tightened rare-earth exports. Donald Trump hinted at an early 2026 visit to Beijing as tensions rise.
Market Snapshot
Equities:
The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% to 9,434.59, extending Monday’s gains despite weak public finance data. European shares held near record highs on optimism over US–China talks, while Wall Street advanced on strong earnings.
Currencies:
The pound slipped to $1.34 against the dollar as investors weighed trade tensions and inflation data. The euro also weakened, trading around $1.16. The US Dollar Index climbed to 98.85.
Commodities:
Oil markets were steady, with Brent and Forties crude under mild pressure from cheaper US imports. European gas prices fell to €31.50/MWh for a third day on warmer weather. Aluminum and copper inventories declined modestly on the LME. Petrol averaged 134.71p per litre, diesel 142.85p.
Summary:
Markets remain cautious but stable — strong earnings and easing trade fears offset UK fiscal worries, while falling gas prices may help ease inflationary pressure.
Insolvencies Update (as of 21 October 2025)
Administrators Appointed
- CHERTSEY HILLSWOOD DRIVE CENTRE LIMITED
- HALLMARK MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- LOBSTER RECRUITMENT LTD
- MEDEN MOULDINGS UK LIMITED
- REPLETE LIMITED
Liquidators Appointed
- BBA NOMINEES LIMITED
- CONSTRUCTION GOVERNANCE GROUP LIMITED
- CRUGIAU PROPERTIES LIMITED
- ENVIROFONE LIMITED
- GOLDBERG ENTERPRISES LTD
- HARMER SLATER LIMITED
- HENLEY MANOR LIMITED
- KENWORTHY CONSULTING LIMITED
- LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
- MAGPIEHILL SERVICES LIMITED
- MCCARTHY PARTNERSHIP LIMITED
- MITOGEN LIMITED
- O B F LIMITED
- REFRAME TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
- SAVAGE CONSULTANTS LTD
- SIGNATURE AVIATION PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED
- SPUR TREE CONSULTING LIMITED
- START WITH GRAVITY LIMITED
- VENTYX PTY LTD
- VSL SUPPORT LIMITED
- WINICOM CONSULTING LIMITED
Winding-Up Orders
Winding-Up Petitions
- WHITE FIRE INSTALLATIONS LTD
- A M SKIP HIRE LIMITED
- ANGELL EVENT SERVICES LIMITED
- BRIDSTOW PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
- BRINSMOOR SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- COMPASS PERSONNEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- EAT DRINK PEACH LIMITED
- HOCKLEY DEVELOPMENTS (SLC) LIMITED
- KURITAKE JAPANESE RESTAURANT LTD
- PASTICHE COUTURE LTD
- PENDLEBURY COURT (SURBITON) RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- PICCADILLY CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
- PRIESTLEY HOMES LIMITED
- RABG MEMORIAL LIMITED
- RAVEM CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
- RCSB BUILD LTD
- SUMOBILITY LIMITED
- THE SAPPHIRE COMMUNITY HOUSING LTD
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