Autumn Budget 2025: 5 Key Moves UK Small Businesses Should Make Before 26 November
- Mark Kozo
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
With the Autumn Budget 2025 set for 26 November, UK small business owners are bracing for what could be a pivotal moment.
Our previous article explored what might be in store, this time, we’re focusing on action. With the Government facing a £20–40 billion fiscal shortfall and increasing signals of tax reform, the key to success is preparation. Here’s what SMEs should be doing now to stay ahead of the curve.
Review your business rates exposure
Business property taxation is back in the spotlight. The Chancellor has reaffirmed plans to review business rates to make it easier for small firms to expand into new premises.
What to do now? Review your rateable value and relief eligibility. If you’re considering relocation or expansion, model what new rates or relief changes might mean for your cash flow. You’ll want to enter any new lease discussions with clarity and leverage.
At Approved, we have a highly experienced Property Finance team who regularly help business owners with Commercial Mortgages, Bridging Loans, Development Finance, and Buy-to-Let Mortgages to support their business expansion. If this is something you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by clicking here.
Check your VAT and trading thresholds
Speculation is growing that the VAT registration threshold could change. If your turnover is close to the line, or you have side operations contributing to overall revenue, you could be affected.
Action points:
Review your current turnover and forecasts.
If you’re nearing the threshold, talk to your accountant about timing, pricing, or voluntary registration.
Proactive planning can save you from reactive compliance headaches.
Audit employee and vehicle benefit schemes
Salary sacrifice schemes, particularly around electric vehicles (EV's) and other benefits-in-kind, are under review. A tightening of rules could increase costs or reduce incentives.
Action point: Assess your benefit programmes and identify any exposure to upcoming policy shifts. If EV's or company car schemes are central to your operations, explore flexible finance options to preserve tax efficiency and fleet flexibility.
A growing number of policy analysts and government advisors have floated the idea of a road-pricing model for EV's, effectively a ‘pay-per-mile’ tax, to replace lost fuel-duty revenue. According to recent reports, a charge of around 3p per mile could be introduced by 2028, equating to roughly £250–£300 annually per vehicle.
For small businesses running company cars or fleets, this could represent a meaningful shift in operating costs, particularly in logistics, sales, and service-based industries.
Plan for cash-flow resilience
With potential tax and levy adjustments looming, maintaining liquidity will be critical. Unexpected changes to duties or benefits can impact costs overnight.
Action point: Build a 1–3% cost buffer into your 2025 budget and review your access to short-term finance. Being ready to bridge gaps or fund strategic investments quickly can make the difference between reacting and leading.
Get professional advice early
Budgets often contain complex changes that affect sectors differently. Whether it’s property expansion, workforce incentives, or import duties, getting tailored advice early can save time and money later.
Action point: Engage your accountant, tax advisor or finance partner now. Use their insight to model various Budget outcomes and prepare contingency plans before 26 November.
How Approved Finance Group Can Help SMEs Navigate Uncertainty
At Approved Finance Group, we understand how uncertainty can disrupt planning, especially for growing SMEs managing property, vehicles and working capital.
Our team supports small and medium-sized businesses across the UK with a wide range of tailored finance solutions designed to help you stay agile, confident and ready for change:
Business Finance: From unsecured loans to cash-flow facilities and asset finance, we help you maintain liquidity and invest in growth when opportunities arise.
Property Finance: Whether you’re expanding into new premises or refinancing existing assets, we provide flexible options for commercial mortgages, bridging loans and development finance.
Motor & Vehicle Finance: From company cars to full fleet management, we offer competitive solutions for both conventional and electric vehicles, ensuring your transport and logistics stay efficient.
Whatever the Autumn Budget brings, our mission is to help SMEs adapt quickly, fund growth sustainably, and thrive through change. Our experienced finance specialists are here to guide you, from exploring options before the Budget to implementing solutions afterwards.
Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help safeguard and strengthen your business ahead of the Autumn Budget.
The Bottom Line
This year’s Autumn Budget won’t just test the UK economy, it will test small businesses’ ability to adapt.By reviewing your tax position, tightening your cash flow and securing the right finance, you can face whatever’s announced on 26 November with confidence.
Stay tuned: once the Chancellor delivers the statement, we’ll publish our Autumn Budget 2025 Breakdown for SMEs, analysing every key measure and what it means for your business.
