A large proportion of family businesses have already taken measures to mitigate changes to APR and BPR
The majority of businesses surveyed indicated that changes to BPR announced in the Autumn Budget have had a significant impact on their strategic decisions. Key trends include: • Investment paused or cancelled: 55% have paused or cancelled planned investments; 44% expect to continue holding back future investment. • Workforce impacts: 23% have reduced headcount or frozen recruitment, with many intending to maintain these measures. • Business downsizing or exit: 22% are considering downsizing, and 12% are contemplating selling their businesses. • Community and charitable cuts: 15% have withdrawn from charitable giving or community engagement due to cost-cutting pressures. • Legal and financial planning: 68% have sought legal advice in response to the changes, with many expecting to continue relying on professional guidance. Figure 1: What measures have you already taken/might you take to mitigate any potential impacts of changes to BPR (% of respondents, N = 3,357)
I HAVE
I WILL
66%
Take(n) legal advice Pause(d) or cancel(led) planned investments Reduce(d) headcount or pause(d) recruitment Defer(red)/reduce(d) investment Gift(ed) shares or assets to family members Reduce(d) or cancel(led) charitable contributions
68%
55%
44%
41%
38%
23%
23%
16%
46%
15%
16%
6% 7% 6%
Downsize(d) business
22%
9%
Intentionally hold(held) back business/asset growth Take (took) out insurance to cover future IHT costs Sell (sold) assets and/or shares to non-family Close(d) business and liquidated
24%
3%
13%
0% 0% 0%
7%
Sell (sold) off business entirely Relocate(d) business assets overseas
5%
12%
9%
Other (please specify) Not sure/don’t know
5%
3%
7%
6%
(Do) nothing/no change
1%
Source: CBI Economics Survey (2025)
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