Business news 3 November 2025
James Salmon, Operations Director.
📰 SME & General Business News
FSB warns of mass small business downsizing
Almost one in three small firms plan to downsize, sell, or shut within the next 12 months, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. Confidence fell to a record low of -58.
Why it matters: Shrinking small firms mean more late payments, weaker demand, and greater credit risk for suppliers.
Higher earners (£45k+) may face tax hikes
Reports suggest Treasury officials have been told to protect lower earners, leaving those above £45,000 likely to shoulder more tax.
Why it matters: Tighter household budgets could slow SME sales, especially for firms relying on discretionary spending.
Family firms alarmed by inheritance tax reforms
Business Property Relief changes could force family-run firms to sell assets or take on debt.
Why it matters: Family-owned SMEs face liquidity pressures and potential break-ups if reliefs are curtailed.
Mid-sized firms show renewed confidence
BDO data shows 57% of mid-sized firms are optimistic about growth — up from 45% in June.
Why it matters: Positive sentiment in the mid-market could steady B2B trade volumes if backed by supportive policy.
💷 Economic News
EY downgrades UK growth forecast below 1%
EY Item Club expects growth below 1% next year, citing tax rises and global headwinds.
Why it matters: Slower growth raises the risk of delayed payments and reduced demand across supply chains.
UK’s debt level has tripled in 20 years
National debt has hit £2.9 trillion — nearly equal to GDP — costing over £100 billion in annual interest.
Why it matters: High debt limits fiscal flexibility, increasing pressure for further tax rises.
Bank of England ‘unlikely’ to cut rates
Despite easing inflation, most economists expect the Bank to hold rates at 4%.
Why it matters: Credit costs for SMEs are set to remain high, keeping financing tight.
Business confidence ‘at rock bottom’
The IoD’s index remains near historic lows at -73 as firms freeze investment ahead of the Budget.
Why it matters: Businesses delaying investment and hiring signals weaker trading ahead.
Chancellor could be boosted by gilts rally
UK gilts outperformed in October as yields fell, potentially easing borrowing costs.
Why it matters: Lower yields could give the Treasury more fiscal headroom — but not necessarily SME relief.
👷 Employment News
Jobless rate hits four-year high
Unemployment has risen to 4.8%, with nearly 1 million young people not in work or training.
Why it matters: Rising unemployment reduces spending power and heightens credit risk.
Workforce health crisis looms large
RSPH warns 600,000 people may leave the workforce due to chronic illness by 2035.
Why it matters: Fewer active workers mean labour shortages and productivity strain for SMEs.
Reed warns of jobs drought
Recruiter James Reed says “It’s a jobs drought – more of a desert actually,” blaming rising costs and regulatory burdens.
Why it matters: Hiring freezes slow business expansion and limit consumer confidence.
🏛 Tax & Government
Reeves’ tax hikes the fastest in 55 years
With almost £80 billion in tax rises over two Budgets, Rachel Reeves is set to outpace historic records.
Why it matters: Higher taxes risk squeezing both household demand and SME margins.
Chancellor plans £4 billion pension tax raid
Salary sacrifice tax perks may be limited, affecting millions of workers.
Why it matters: Employers offering pension incentives may face rising payroll costs.
Reeves eyes council tax shake-up
Plans could see higher bills for expensive properties to avoid new selling taxes.
Why it matters: Wealthier homeowners delaying moves could cool the housing market and related SME activity.
Frustrated firms bypass Labour to lobby the OBR
Businesses disillusioned with Government are appealing directly to the OBR for change.
Why it matters: A breakdown in dialogue with policymakers adds uncertainty to the trading environment.
Reeves considers bolder and more progressive tax changes
The Chancellor is planning wider reforms to simplify the tax code and raise contributions from top earners and banks.
Why it matters: Possible NI and income tax increases could further weigh on business cash flow expectations.
Farage pledges “most pro-business” government
Reform UK’s leader says he will cut taxes only after reducing public spending.
Why it matters: Alternative policy messaging highlights the pressure on the Chancellor to restore business confidence.
🏭 Industry-Specific News
UK small businesses struggling with trade deals
84% of micro-firms saw flat or falling export orders in Q3, blaming red tape and US trade policy.
Why it matters: Export stagnation hits SME growth and cash flow resilience.
House prices climb 0.3% in October
Nationwide says average UK home values rose to £272,226.
Why it matters: Stable housing supports consumer sentiment and retail-linked SMEs.
Banks see profits hit £12.3 billion in Q3
Major UK banks posted strong quarterly results despite sector headwinds.
Why it matters: Bank strength helps financial stability but could invite higher sector taxes.
Energy customers owed £240 million
Ofgem found 1.9 million closed energy accounts hold unclaimed credits.
Why it matters: SMEs that changed suppliers should check for refunds — potential quick cash wins.
📊 Market News
The positive market sentiment appears driven by optimism around potential US-China trade talks, with Asian markets also performing strongly. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1.5% to a fresh record on Monday, and emerging market stocks rose 1.3% to their highest level since February 2021
The overall theme since Friday has been risk-on sentiment driven by encouraging inflation data from the US and growing optimism about trade relations, benefiting equity markets across the UK, Europe, and North America.
Global optimism continues
Equities remain strong worldwide, led by US tech. The FTSE 100 opened 0.2% higher at 9,738.
Why it matters: Market confidence contrasts with weak real-economy sentiment.
OPEC+ slows oil output growth
Saudi Arabia and Russia-led producers will raise output modestly in December and pause in Q1.
Why it matters: Stable oil supply may cap energy cost volatility for UK firms.
🏷️ Have CPA in your corner
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Just call Peter Uwins, CPA’s National Sales Manager, on️ ☎️ 020 8846 0000 (business hours) or email 📧 nsm@cpa.co.uk today.
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⚖ Insolvency Data
Appointments of Administrators
- ACTION 365 LTD
- ASSEMBLY STUDIOS LIMITED
- BOUTIQUE MODERN LIMITED
- CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE LIMITED
- CRAFT METAL SPINNING (WARRINGTON) LIMITED
- ELEMENT INTEGRATED SYSTEMS LIMITED
- EUXTON TILE SUPPLIES LIMITED
- INSUPPA LTD
- MORELOCK SIGNS LIMITED
- ROWMARL LIMITED
- SPECTRUM TILES LTD
- THE GARDEN DESIGN COMPANY (MIDLANDS) LIMITED
- WILLARD CONSERVATION LIMITED
Appointments of Liquidators
- ADVANCED TURF MACHINERY LIMITED
- ALPHAGEN CAPITAL LIMITED
- BE VENTURESOME PHILANTHROPY LTD
- BOWDEN CABLE SUPPLIES LIMITED
- BROADSTONE ASSOCIATES LIMITED
- BUCKINGHAMSHIRE DEVELOPMENTS LTD
- CARBOMAP LIMITED
- CARTECH (PETERHEAD) LIMITED
- CATALYST SPIRITS LIMITED
- CHAS. G.S. WARD LIMITED
- CLOVER BIOPHARMACEUTICALS UK LTD
- CMYM CONSULTING LIMITED
- COOGEE NURSERY SCHOOL LIMITED
- CONNAUGHT HOMES LIMITED
- CYMBA LTD
- DAYBURY ELECTRICAL SERVICES LIMITED
- DCJ CONNECTED SOLUTIONS LTD.
- DEXWHIM CONSULTING LIMITED
- DFP HEALTH & WEALTH MANAGEMENT LIMITED
- DFP WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD
- DITTON RISK SERVICES LIMITED
- EEBEE PARTNERS LLP
- ENERGY INDUSTRY PARTNERS LIMITED
- FOURTEEN CONSULTANCY LIMITED
- GALLOWAY CONSULTING LTD
- GARVANI LIMITED
- GELITA UK LIMITED
- GJW ASSOCIATES LIMITED
- GPMAX CONSULTING LIMITED
- GRANGE CORPORATE CONSULTING LIMITED
- H B RAYLOR & COMPANY LIMITED
- HEDGEHOG DEVELOPMENT (ESSEX) LIMITED
- HIGH DEFINITION LEGAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- HIGHPATH HOMES LIMITED
- HGP2 LIMITED
- HUNTERGRANGE LIMITED
- IDIGITAL CONSULTING LIMITED
- ILMEX LIMITED
- IMAGINE BROADBAND (USA) LIMITED
- KERNOW GI SURGERY LIMITED
- KYME PACKAGING LTD
- LEDVER LIMITED
- LEVERETS ADVOCACY LIMITED
- LINRISS LIMITED
- LOCKLEY BOWER ENGINEERING SERVICES LIMITED
- M.J.P FINANCE LTD
- MANAGEMENT EVENTS LIMITED
- MARTIN CRANNIS LIMITED
- MAXWELL CONSULTANTS LTD
- MOORCLOSE FISHERIES LIMITED
- OAKESEN LIMITED
- P D IMPROVEMENTS LIMITED
- PMB FRUIT (2) LIMITED
- PYKLE PROPERTIES LIMITED
- R J MURRAY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD
- RFP CONSULTING LIMITED
- S.G. CONSULTANTS HOLDINGS LIMITED
- SEGEL LTD
- SHAW INDUSTRIES LTD
- SOLENT MEDICAL SERVICES LIMITED
- TARIK BEN-SAUD CONSULTING LIMITED
- THE MANN ORGANISATION LIMITED
- WGS EAST LIMITED
- WEST ADVISORY LIMITED
- WILSON & SON (HURSLEY) LIMITED
- WILLIAM SIBREE PROPERTY LIMITED
- WIMBUSH REAL ESTATE LIMITED
- WIZARD PUBLICITY LIMITED
- XCHARTA LIMITED
- YPM LTD
Petitions to Wind Up (Companies)
- ADVENT DS LIMITED
- CENTENNIAL CENTRE TRADING (2014) LIMITED
- CLOVES INDIAN TAKEAWAY LTD
- D J TIPPERS & GRAB HIRE LIMITED
- DONELLON CONTRACTORS LIMITED
- FANCY&LOVELY FOOD LTD
- HAIRY HAGGIS TOURS LTD
- IMPRIMATUR CAPITAL LIMITED
- J&J BUILDING SOLUTION LTD
- JLH ESTATES LTD
- LMH ESTATES LTD
- LOCATION BH LETTINGS LTD
- LUCO MUSIC GROUP LIMITED
- M & M PRINT AND MAIL LIMITED
- NOVA OPTIMA MEDIA LIMITED
- PEACE CROWELL LLP
- SYLHET TRAVEL SERVICES LTD
- TAJ BAR & KITCHEN LTD
Winding Up Orders (Companies)