- Published date:
- 26 November 2025
Reacting to the UK Autumn Budget, Melanie Leech CBE said:
“There wasn’t a single thing said in the Chancellor’s speech that wasn’t leaked in its chaotic build up. However the lack of surprises doesn’t hide the disappointment that many in the development industry will feel after today.
"Whilst she spoke positively about the importance of business investment and maintained full expensing and the headline rate of Corporation Tax, there was little to cheer from an investor perspective.
"Indeed, confirmation of the large property business rates surcharge will impact critical national infrastructure like logistics businesses and priority sectors identified in the Government’s own Industrial Strategy.
"While it was always going to be a challenge for the Chancellor to both balance the books and support economic growth, it is disappointing that there was nothing introduced to alleviate acute development viability issues.
"Overall, no surprises, but nothing to cheer either.”
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