26 Nov 2025
By Alex Docherty, Tax Partner and Head of Private Client Tax, Johnston Carmichael
After weeks of speculation over the Autumn Budget, and an unprecedented early speech by the Chancellor, it is anyone’s guess as to what will be in her famous red box. What we do know is that she is determined to promote economic growth – and the Budget represents a welcome opportunity to reset the dial.
Taxation doesn’t have to be a bad word. In fact, it is a key lever to help businesses become more profitable and create jobs.
Over the last few years, ever-changing tax rules have created a climate of confusion and uncertainty among business owners. Every few months, the goalposts seem to shift. From reforms to Business and Agricultural Property Relief (BPR/APR) to ongoing change to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), entrepreneurs are second-guessing the rules that shape their futures.
As a result we’re seeing a “watch-and-wait” culture, where deals are delayed, projects are being shelved and people are hesitating to take the leap. Uncertainty and confusion about tax policies have an adverse impact on business and entrepreneurs who are geared up to take informed risks. Loss of confidence also leads to a loss of the entrepreneurial spark that powers growth.
Businesses can plan for higher taxes; what they can’t plan around is confusion, caused by continued change to fill short-term fiscal gaps.
The Corporate Tax Roadmap set out the long-term direction of UK corporation tax in a way designed to provide clarity, stability, and predictability for businesses, giving them greater confidence to invest. A similar approach would be beneficial across the wider UK tax system to enhance stability and predictability, helping businesses and individuals plan investment and economic activity with greater confidence while improving trust in the consistency of fiscal policy.
Tax policy can and should support those who create jobs. What’s needed now is a system that’s simple, stable and credible. That doesn’t mean low taxes at all costs, it means fair, transparent rules that give businesses the confidence to act.
A Budget that gets behind business owners and entrepreneurs will unlock the economic activity we need to create jobs that put money in people’s pockets and raise the tax take that funds our public services.
The forthcoming Budget is a chance to create those conditions for success.
To help businesses understand what the Autumn Budget means for them, Johnston Carmichael’s tax specialists will host a live webinar on Wednesday, 3 December. The session will provide expert analysis of the announcements and practical guidance on how to respond.
Speakers include John McAuslin, Partner and Head of Corporate Tax; Alex Docherty, Partner and Head of Private Client Tax; and David Ward, Partner and Head of Specialist Taxes. The webinar will run from 10:00 to 11:00 online via Zoom, and registration is essential.
For joining details, please register via Zoom. If you have any questions ahead of the event, contact JCEvents@jcca.co.uk.
Join us to hear our insight and analysis of the Budget and what the announcements mean for you, your business, and the economy as a whole.
