What could the upcoming Autumn Budget mean for Rochdale businesses owners?

Posted on 7 Oct 2025

Steve is a Rochdale-based Financial Adviser and Director of Front Row Financial who will be providing financial insights for the RDA’s Finance Lens, this month we will be exploring “What could the upcoming Autumn Budget mean for Rochdale businesses owners?”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget is expected to bring significant updates for business owners. The government has already confirmed that the 26th November statement will include an update on business rates reform, and further measures may cover a rise in the National Minimum Wage as well as potential tax increases to boost revenue.

For small and medium-sized businesses with growth in mind, the Autumn Budget should be seen as more than a policy update, it should be seen as a chance to stop, reflect, and prepare for what lies ahead.

At a glance

• While no one can predict exactly what the chancellor will announce, SME leaders can start asking “what if?” questions now to map out possible responses.

• Corporation tax and National Insurance changes are possible, alongside new incentives for technology adoption or sustainability.

• Using a “head, heart and hand” approach - blending clear strategy, emotional insight, and practical action - can help navigate uncertainty.

• With inflation, interest rates and global pressures creating a challenging backdrop, SMEs should be thinking: what changes could be coming, and how should we adapt?

Preparing for different outcomes

We can’t know precisely what the Autumn Budget will contain. But by asking the right questions and planning ahead, business leaders can position themselves to respond effectively.

1. What if business taxes rise?

• Higher corporation tax or National Insurance could reduce funds earmarked for expansion. Review your financial plans now to identify where extra pressure may fall. Could growth still be supported through careful reallocation?

• Tax increases can feel like a setback, but focusing on your long-term vision and reasons for growth will help you stay motivated.

2. What if new incentives are introduced for digital adoption or sustainability?

• Consider where technology upgrades or greener practices could improve efficiency or open new markets.

• For many SMEs, innovation is about leaving a lasting legacy as much as driving profit. Government support could accelerate those ambitions.

• Stay alert to new schemes or grants. Ensure someone in your team is ready to act quickly, as these opportunities often have tight deadlines.

3. What if access to finance becomes easier?

• Fresh funding options - particularly those linked to apprenticeships, exports, or growth - could allow you to fast-track parts of your strategy.

• Expansion brings both excitement and pressure. Additional finance could give your team greater confidence to take bold steps.

• Be prepared. Keep your business plan current and your growth story clear so you’re ready to act if new initiatives are launched.

The Autumn Budget may not deliver certainty, but it will shape the environment your business operates in. Thinking through a few well-chosen scenarios now will put you in a stronger position to respond with clarity, confidence, and control.

Article by Steve Worrall from Front Row Financial.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

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