The UK cannot afford to ignore the climbing costs of doing business
Businesses’ tax contributions play a vital role in funding our schools, hospitals and public services. But when government departments create polices in silos; when taxes and levies continually rise; and complex regulation is introduced without cohesion, it makes it harder and harder to do business in the UK.
The change we’re calling for
The rising costs imposed by government on business affect firms of every size, in every sector and region of the UK. That’s why we’re campaigning for the government to halt further increases in the weight of tax and regulation, and to provide UK organisations with certainty and a single strategy so they can plan for the future.
Government departments must stop working in silos and take a holistic approach when taxing and regulating business
Halt any further increases in the cumulative burden of tax and regulation on business
Establish ways to monitor the rising burden and publish this data on an annual basis
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“From investing in communities and creating opportunities for people, to contributing more than a quarter of the total UK tax-take, businesses are the heartbeat of towns and villages throughout the country. But the rapidly growing weight of tax and regulation on business puts a strain on firms and makes it harder to do business in the UK. We want to work with the government to tackle this growing cost, to ensure the UK remains open for business and retains its international competitiveness.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief EconomistWhy it's needed
2018/19 saw a 4.2% increase in the taxes that government collected from business when compared to the previous year. And this was not an isolated increase: from 2016/17 to 2017/18, the figure rose by 4.4%. Add in the ever-increasing regulatory requirements, and these figures are even higher.
The spiraling costs, occurring in a time of economic uncertainty, make it hard for firms to do business and threatens national prosperity.
The government has a responsibility to recognise the burden that disjointed actions cause and act now to make it easier for businesses and society to prosper.
Why does tax have to be so taxing?
The government must ease the burden and protect the economy
For the UK to remain open for business and to retain its reputation as a highly competitive economy, with a world leading tax and regulatory environment, the government must ease the rising costs on business in the UK
of businesses think that the level of regulation in the UK is an obstacle to success, according to the 2018 Business Perception Survey
of small businesses said that tax administration was a burdensome area of compliance
On top of the traditional business taxes, firms pay over 20 ‘other’ taxes. These smaller taxes together make up £33 billion: 17% of all taxes business pays.
The case for alleviating the burden
Here’s the truth about tax: complexity makes it hard for firms to contribute towards society in other impactful ways, and the myth that businesses aren’t paying enough tax is unnecessarily damaging reputations. Find out more about the simple ways government can make improvements to the tax system.
Business continues to contribute one-third to all tax revenues
UK policy —
CBI calls for HMRC to reset its relationship with large business
Our progress and impact
The CBI campaigns tirelessly on behalf of our members so that business creates prosperity for all. Learn more about the work we do and the impact we are making on this issue.
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- Jun 2014
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Stuck in the middle
- Feb 2016
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Inaction on business rates could cost businesses up to £9bn a year
- Jul 2016
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A vision for HMRC in a changing environment
- Jun 2018
Progress —
CBI presents evidence on business dealings with HMRC
- Oct 2018
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Funding our future
- Oct 2018
Impact —
Budget sees government act on CBI asks to tackle the cumulative burden on business
- Dec 2018
Engagement —
CBI sits on the Better Regulation Executive
- Jan 2019
Resource —
CBI calls for HMRC to reset its relationship with large business
- Feb 2019
Impact —
HMRC commits to improving relationship with business
- Oct 2019
Consultation —
CBI seeks member input on the rising cost of tax and regulation
- Feb 2020
Consultation —
CBI engages member panel for feedback on economic modelling
Support the change
Join the CBI
Our members are our mandate, and the reason we're the most influential business organisation in the UK.
Join the voice of business and help us campaign to reduce the rising burden of tax and regulation.Have your say
Regulation is one key way the government shapes markets and protects consumers and individuals. But often regulation is slow to react to changing market conditions and, when created in silos, adds to the overall burden on business. We're looking for members to attend working groups and provide insights from their sector.
Make a difference
This campaign is led by the CBI's Tax & Regulation team.
Contact Annie Gascoyne, Director of Economic Policy, to find out more about the burden of tax and regulation on business and how you can help alleviate it.