According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) – Quarterly Economic Survey Q4 2024 published Jan 2025, 24 % of SMEs now cite political uncertainty as their single biggest barrier to growth. Every time a new Budget lands, another surprise appears: a stealth tax rise, a relief quietly cancelled, or a last-minute policy U-turn. The result? Owners sit on cash instead of hiring, expanding, or investing.
A five-year SME tax and regulation roadmap would change everything. One clear document, published and locked in by law, showing exactly what corporation tax, NICs, business rates, R&D credits, and capital allowances will be until 2030. No more guessing, no more midnight announcements, no more sleepless nights before the Autumn Statement.
Businesses can only plan when they know the rules won’t shift beneath them. Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands already publish multi-year tax frameworks; their small firms invest more and grow faster as a result. Britain used to pride itself on stability. We can do it again.
The Treasury claims long-term certainty is impossible. That’s nonsense. We managed five-year spending reviews under every government for decades. Extend the same discipline to the taxes SMEs pay and watch confidence return overnight.
Give us a roadmap and we’ll build factories, open new branches, take on apprentices, and create the jobs politicians keep promising but never deliver.
The 1832 Club is fighting for these changes. The more members we have, the louder our voice in Westminster.
Join today from just £5/month or £40/year and help to support pro-SME candidates.
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