5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Thursday (9 October 2025).

Tax fears at record high as Reeves’s Budget looms: A record proportion of businesses are struggled with the tax burden as bosses brace for a fresh Labour raid in November. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) warned that confidence was in “freefall” ahead of the Rachel Reeves’s second Budget on November 26, with bosses already cutting spending in anticipation. [Telegraph]
Tories promise to scrap stamp duty: The next Conservative government would abolish stamp duty on the purchase of main homes, Kemi Badenoch has said, in a surprise announcement at the end of her first conference speech as party leader. Badenoch received a standing ovation from Tory activists in Manchester as she declared: “That is how we will help achieve the dream of home ownership for millions.” [BBC]
UK pubs to stay open until early hours in push for growth: Pubs, clubs and restaurants will be able to open into the early hours as part of Labour’s drive for economic growth, a move which critics say will lead to more drunken disorder. Ministers are pushing ahead with plans to allow premises that sell alcohol to extend their opening hours in order to boost “the British night out” and help the hospitality sector. [Guardian]
Google chief warns UK is falling behind on AI: Small businesses in the UK are falling behind their American counterparts in harnessing the productivity benefits of artificial intelligence, the president of Google’s Europe arm has warned. Debbie Weinstein, who previously ran Google UK and Ireland, said she believes the biggest gap in terms of productivity-led growth is with the US. [The Times]
On Thursday, Oil was trading flat at $65.97. The pound is trading at $1.34, €1.15, and ¥9.55.