27/05/2026
NEWS Wednesday, 27th May 2026
London accounts for 36% of corporation tax receipts
Office for National Statistics data shows that London accounts for more than a third of the UK's total corporation tax receipts, with the tax take from firms in the capital totalling £33.4bn in the 2024/2025 financial year. This is 36% of the £93.1bn total for the country as a whole. The data shows that the proportion has increased, with London accounting for 33% of corporation tax five years ago. London also generates about a quarter of total income tax receipts, contributing nearly £250bn to government revenue, but took less VAT than the South East of England. Analysis also shows that expenditure in London is lower than its tax receipts, meaning the capital had a fiscal surplus.
City AM Daily Express
TAX
Entrepreneur exodus warning over wealth taxes
Ruth Sunderland in the Mail says a wealth tax proposed by Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting could significantly impact private investors and small business owners. The plan aims to equalise capital gains tax with income tax, potentially doubling rates for top earners in a move Mr Streeting claims could raise £12bn. Critics argue that the plan may harm the UK's business environment and suggest scrapping stamp duty on share trading instead. Ms Sunderland says the proposal "is at odds with the ambition of successive chancellors... to boost UK capital markets" and warns that it could "damage the UK's reputation as a good place to set up a business and drive entrepreneurs out of the country."
Daily Mail
Reform vows to scrap overtime tax
Reform UK has announced a plan to eliminate income tax on overtime for those earning under £75,000. The £5bn annual tax cut would target workers who exceed a 40-hour week. Funding would come from a £40bn cuts programme. Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride has questioned whether the policy is viable. Julian Jessop, a senior fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, warned: "If overtime is taxed at a lower rate, firms might just reduce pre-tax pay," and Helen Miller from the Institute of Fiscal Studies said the plan could also create an incentive to have more work classified as "overtime" in order to reduce tax payments.
BBC News The Sunday Telegraph Sunday Express Sunday Mirror
Labour urged to rule out pension tax raid
The Government has been urged to commit to protecting pensions from tax raids, with AJ Bell emphasising the need for reassurance for workers regarding their retirement savings. With it suggested that Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting may look to challenge Keir Starmer's position as Labour leader, there are concerns that a new Prime Minister - and potentially a new Chancellor - may target pension contributions and tax-free withdrawals. Rachel Vahey, head of public policy at AJ Bell, has called for the Government to commit to a Pension Tax Lock "to bring certainty and clarity to the debate around the future of pensions."
Daily Mail
Tax burden on households skyrockets
The tax burden on UK households has increased significantly, with HMRC collecting £87.3bn in taxes in April, £6.3bn more than last year. Workers contributed £52.5bn in income tax and National Insurance, as frozen thresholds pushed more into higher tax brackets. Sarah Coles from AJ Bell stated: "These figures are set to climb even further."
Daily Mail
Property taxes in Britain hit record high
Britain's property tax burden has reached a record high, now at 3.7% of GDP, according to analysis. The upcoming "mansion tax" will impose additional costs on homes valued over £2m, potentially affecting ordinary properties in London. Experts warn that the threshold may remain unchanged over time, or even be reduced, leading to more homes falling into the tax net.
The Daily Telegraph
HMRC issues late-filing fine warning
HMRC has warned UK households to act quickly to avoid daily penalties for late self-assessment tax returns. Those who missed the January 31 deadline for 2024/25 tax returns face penalties of £10 per day, with the overall penalty capped at £900. After six months, those who have failed to file their return face a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater. An automatic £100 penalty was triggered for missing the initial deadline.
Sunday Express
ACCOUNTING
Accountants still in high demand amid AI disruption
According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), demand for accountants in the UK remains robust despite the rise of AI. The ICAEW's research indicates that while AI automates routine tasks, 74% of surveyed mid-tier firms plan to hire more staff with expertise in data analytics and technology. Alan Vallance, chief executive of ICAEW, said: "Demand for accountants remains high, but the nature of early-career accounting roles is expected to change." Additionally, firms are shifting hiring preferences, favouring school leavers over university graduates due to new employment laws and funding cuts.
City AM
FRC publishes review on structured digital reporting
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published its latest review of structured digital reporting by UK listed companies. The report, Structured Digital Reporting: Insights 2025/26, identifies areas where relatively simple improvements would significantly enhance the quality, consistency and usability of digital financial reporting. The regulator said: "Structured digital reporting (SDR) is now well embedded across the UK market, with most companies producing compliant and well-structured filings. However, the FRC’s review identifies recurring issues that continue to limit the usefulness of structured data for investors, regulators and other users."
Financial Reporting Council
FRC concludes annual review of FRS 101
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued 'Amendments to FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework – 2025/26 cycle', bringing to a close the latest annual review of FRS 101 'Reduced Disclosure Framework' While the core standard remains unaltered, the FRC has introduced limited drafting amendments to clarify requirements, align terminology with recent updates to FRS 102 and FRS 105, and make the framework easier for preparers to navigate.
Financial Reporting Council Scottish Financial News
SMEs
Small firms flag growth concerns
Scottish small businesses are experiencing significant challenges due to rising energy and fuel prices, according to a survey by Novuna Business Finance. The research reveals that 83% of firms identify external factors as barriers to growth, with 50% citing macro-economic uncertainty. Around 40% of businesses are concerned about the effects of overseas conflict on prices, surpassing the UK average of 32%.
The Scotsman
Bank lending to UK business at lowest for nearly 30 years
Bank lending to British businesses has dropped to a 30-year low, dipping to 59% of UK GDP in Q3 2025. The analysis says SMEs have been disproportionately affected.
Financial Times
ECONOMY
UK business activity fell for first time in more than a year in May
UK business activity fell for the first time in over a year in May, according to the S&P Global Flash UK PMI composite output index. The survey, which provides a measure of activity in the private manufacturing and services sector, fell to a 13-month low of 48.5 in May from 52.6 in April. The chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, Chris Williamson, said: "The UK economy is facing a perfect storm, as rising political uncertainty adds to the growing impact from the war in the Middle East. Businesses are reporting falling output, surging inflation, supply shortages and job cuts." Paul Dales, economist at Capital Economics, said the figures were the third dataset in three days that suggested "the Bank of England does not need to rush to raise interest rates."
Financial Times Reuters The Daily Telegraph
UK borrowing soars to £24.3bn
UK public sector borrowing reached £24.3bn in April, exceeding forecasts by £3.4bn. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that debt interest repayments hit a record £10.3bn for April while predicting total borrowing could exceed the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) estimate of £115.5bn for the year. ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said increased spending on benefits contributed to the rise in borrowing. Lucy Rigby, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, commented: "We are cutting borrowing and debt... while driving growth through £120bn of additional capital investment over the Parliament."
Financial Times The Daily Telegraph The Guardian