Latest news
FBUK concern over UK jobs data
January 20, 2026
UK unemployment has remained at 5.1%, a five-year high, according to the latest official data. Figures from the Office for National Statistics shows that unemployment among people aged 16 and over has risen across the UK by 0.3% compared with the previous quarter. London and the East Midlands have seen particularly challenging results. Unemployment in […]
Finance Bill update
January 8, 2026
After the Government announced an increase in the threshold for both BPR and APR for family businesses and farms from £1million to £2.5million, attention shifts back to Parliament and the progress of the Finance Bill. The Bill has now passed the 2nd reading stage and moves to Committee Stage. During this stage, MPs have the […]
FBUK welcomes increase in IHT threshold
December 23, 2025
Family Business UK has welcomed today’s announcement from government that the thresholds for both BPR and APR will be increased from £1m to £2.5m. The change means that the allowance for married couples will be increased to £5m. The change follows the work done by FBUK, and other organisations, over the last 14 months to […]
Cautious welcome for farming review
December 19, 2025
Family Business UK has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s review of farming profitability – conducted by the former NFU President, Baroness Minette Batters. The review, which was commissioned earlier in 2025, makes 57 recommendations to government. For family-owned farms and businesses the core issue of changes to inheritance tax fell outside the scope […]
Interest Rate Cuts – December 2025
December 18, 2025
Today’s cut in interest rates by the Bank of England is welcome news for family businesses, offering some relief after a prolonged period of high borrowing costs. However, inflation remains above the 2% target and unemployment is rising, with almost one million young people currently not in work, education or training. These challenges are being […]
Finance Bill second reading: what you need to know
December 12, 2025
On Tuesday afternoon (16 December 2025), MPs in the House of Commons will debate and vote on the second reading of the Finance Bill – an important moment in the Bill’s journey through Parliament. The second reading is the first substantive opportunity for MPs to debate the Bill as a whole and to decide whether […]
Budget 2025 analysis
November 28, 2025
Budget 2025 delivered a mixed picture for family businesses. While some of the most worrying proposals that had been trailed in recent weeks did not appear, this remains a Budget that raises significant revenue, leaving the UK with the highest overall tax take since the second world war. The Chancellor spoke of wanting the UK […]
FBUK welcomes positive step on day-one rights
November 27, 2025
FBUK has welcomed a decision by the Government to drop plans giving protection from unfair dismissal to new workers from their first day in a job. The plan, which was a key election manifesto pledge, and a central feature of the Government’s Employment Rights Bill, will instead see the Government introduce protection for workers after […]