Manchester-based accountancy firm FFT has warned businesses against making rash decisions in the run-up to the Autumn Budget, taking place on 26 November 2025.

The firm says speculation ahead of fiscal events often creates more problems than it solves, distracting business owners from their goals and leading to unnecessary stress.

Sam Bacall, Partner at FFT, said, “There is often a long gap between speculation, the date announcement and the Budget itself. That window creates unnecessary uncertainty and instability in the market.

“Speculation around the Budget often causes stress and anxiety, which in turn leads to poor decision-making.

“Businesses can easily be distracted by rumours and take their focus off the important day-to-day work and business goals.”

He noted that while announcements and leaks may indicate trends, the risks of acting prematurely are high.

“A common mistake we see is businesses going all in, only to discover the policy was not real, just a rumour. The headlines often exaggerate potential changes, and many of these rumours never make it into the Chancellor’s statement, and if they do, they are usually watered-down versions.

“Acting too soon can delay growth or restructuring plans, potentially setting a business back by months. It is far better to focus on medium and long-term strategy and make adjustments only once the facts are clear.”

According to Adam Caplan, Partner at FFT, the most resilient businesses are those that remain flexible and dynamic but avoid reactionary decisions.

“Gross profit, cash flow and monitoring overheads should remain the main focus for business owners.

“If a business is already planning something such as gifting shares or assets, there can be sense in bringing this forward, because there is little to lose and potentially a lot to gain”, said Adam.

“However, I will stress that building plans entirely around speculation is a mistake. It is always better to focus on decisions you were already in the process of making with potential changes in mind than to make significant reactionary changes that were previously unplanned.”

With two months to go before the Chancellor takes to the despatch box, Adam’s advice to clients is to stay informed but sceptical.

“Keep a close eye on developments, but don’t get carried away. Build flexibility into your plans, think through how you might respond to potential policy shifts, and make considered, not reactionary, choices.”

While the Treasury inevitably faces difficult choices, businesses should take reassurance in the fact that it is not in the Government’s interest to create unnecessary instability.

“We hope the Chancellor will take a considered approach that encourages growth,” added Sam.

“However, given recent years, it is sensible to prepare contingency plans. If you are unsure how best to use the next couple of months for planning, I suggest seeking professional advice.”

FFT Accountants advises individuals and businesses across the Manchester region on tax planning, compliance and long-term financial strategy.

For more information or to speak to an adviser, visit www.fft.co.uk or call 0161 834 2574.