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Autumn Budget 2025 The Government faced a difficult job going into the Autumn Budget, as they navigate a growing national deficit, a seemingly never-ending cost-of-living crisis and political challenges. From the outset, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves made it clear that this would be an Autumn Budget that focused on fairness, with everyone playing their part in reducing national debt and funding spending on the people in society who need help the most. Unsurprisingly, this means an increase in taxation across a number of areas, not least the substantial decision to freeze personal tax rates for a further three years. Against a wide backdrop of inflation above the Bank of England’s two per cent target and rising interest payments for the public purse, the Chancellor also made it clear that higher earners and those with more wealth would be expected to pay more. At the head of these taxes on wealth is the decision to introduce a ‘mansion tax’, a higher rate of tax on income from dividends, property and savings and a new cap on tax relief to salary sacrifice pension schemes. Whilst personal tax focused heavily within the Autumn Budget, businesses didn’t entirely escape the net, as Reeves introduced reductions to the writing down capital allowance and a cut to the Capital Gains Tax relief on Employee Ownership Trusts. However, the biggest sting in the tail for many businesses was the additional burden of higher employment costs, as the Government increases the National Living ...

Leading accountants, Macalvins Group, today announced the acquisition of Cox Costello & Horne, a respected accountancy and advisory firm in Rickmansworth. The deal brings together each firm’s strengths across audit, tax, accounting and business advisory, expanding Macalvins Group’s existing capacity while preserving the personal service that clients of both firms’ value. Under the terms of the transaction, Cox Costello & Horne will continue to operate under its own name as “part of Macalvins Group”. The acquisition sees all employees of Cox Costello & Horne remain with the firm, ensuring continuity for clients and stability for staff. For clients, relationships and service delivery will continue as normal, with the firm retaining their existing points of contact. Cox Costello & Horne Partners will continue in their current roles, working as part of the wider Macalvins Group. Over the coming months, the firms will integrate systems and knowledge so that clients can benefit from the latest technology, a wider pool of specialists and deeper sector expertise. Tariq Husain, CEO of Macalvins Group, said: “Cox Costello & Horne is a firm we have long admired for its technical quality and client care. “By bringing our teams together we can offer broader expertise, faster access to specialists and greater resilience for the businesses and private clients we support.” Mike Cox, Managing Partner of Cox Costello & Horne, said: “Joining Macalvins Group is a natural next step in our evolution. “Our clients will see the same trusted advisers and receive the same ...