Even Labour agrees the tax burden is too high, says small business chief ahead of Wednesday's Budget

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 October 2026.

Craig Beaumont, executive director of the Federation of Small Businesses, warns that by 2028 Britain's tax burden will hit its highest level since Stafford Cripps in 1948. He has lobbied both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister in Downing Street. His top demand is lifting the Small Business Rate Relief threshold from £12,000 to £25,000. He says that would free at least 250,000 more firms from rates.

'Business rates are a horrible pernicious tax,' Beaumont told ministers' critics.