Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Friday (14 November 2025):
- Reeves to abandon plans to raise income tax rates in budget: Rachel Reeves is set to abandon a plan to raise income tax in her budget, with the chancellor reportedly “ripping up” the main measures in the wake of turmoil in the party. A source told the Guardian that plans to break the manifesto pledge on income tax had been ditched by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, and the chancellor. It comes after a week of extraordinary briefing wars in the party as allies of the prime minister suggested he would fight any leadership challenge. [Guardian]
- Hiring on ice as businesses wait for Budget news: Businesses have put hiring on ice before the budget as they wait for clarity over the government’s tax and spending plans, a survey shows. Uncertainty about the scale of Rachel Reeves’s tax rises and anxiety about the general economic outlook led employers to delay recruitment in October. Higher employment costs resulting from the £25 billion increase in businesses’ national insurance contributions imposed in the chancellor’s previous budget also continue to weigh on demand for workers. (The Times)
- No-fault evictions to be banned in England from May: No-fault evictions will be outlawed in England from 1 May, the government confirmed, as it set out the timeline for sweeping renters’ reforms.
The changes also see the end of fixed-term tenancy contracts, as renters move onto so-called “rolling” agreements, as well as an end to “bidding wars” and clearer rules on having pets. [BBC]
- Concerns over plans to raise booze tax: The hospitality industry has slammed a possible tax hike on wine and spirits, arguing that it would be a “depressing prospect” for the struggling sector. Reeves is considering a 4.5% increase in taxes on alcohol in line with a higher reading of inflation, according to reports. [CityAM]
- On Thursday, Oil was trading higher at $63.83. The pound is trading at $1.32, €1.13, and ¥9.35.
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