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November 26, 2025

UK Budget: Startups and VCs divided over Reeves’ policy blitz

UK finance minister unveils raft of measures aimed at improving conditions for British scaleups


The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaves 11 Downing Street on her way to deliver the Spending Review to parliament. Credit: HM Treasury / Simon Walker

The UK government has announced a string of policies — including changes to tax and procurement schemes — aimed at improving conditions for homegrown startups and incentivising late-stage scaleups to remain in the UK.

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A headshot of Suranga Chandratillake from Balderton
Baldteron's Suranga Chandratillake praised parts of the Budget
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Tom Leathes, CEO and cofounder of Motorway
Motorway CEO Tom Leathes called changes to EMI limits 'a big deal'
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Martin Coulter

Martin Coulter is Sifted's news editor, based in London. You can follow him on LinkedIn and X

Maya Dharampal-Hornby

Maya Dharampal-Hornby is a reporter, covering UK tech for Sifted, based in London. She's also the producer of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast .

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