Questionnaire on future business regulations

The Department for Business and Trade has launched a questionnaire to seek views from small businesses, entrepreneurs and industry experts about the next stage of government reform to business regulations.

The government has set a target to reduce the administrative burdens of regulation on business by 25%, particularly where this is outdated and excessive, and acts as a barrier to innovation, growth, and productivity. Businesses are encouraged to respond to the questionnaire with examples of specific rules that impose unnecessary costs or burdens on business.

Respond to the questionnaire here.

Responses for the Business Regulation consultation close on 16th December 2025.

Consultation on Bank Referral Scheme

The government has launched a consultation on ways to improve the Bank Referral Scheme. Under the scheme, lenders must refer SMEs that they reject for finance to platforms where they can find alternative finance providers.

The consultation will examine ways lenders can better support SMEs by connecting them to a wider range of finance providers and reduce the number that give up their search after an initial rejection.

Respond to the consultation here.

Responses for the Bank Referral Scheme consultation close on 22nd December 2025.

Business Rates and Investment: call for evidence

HM Treasury is seeking input on the impacts of business rates on investment and options to address barriers. The government is exploring how moving to a marginal tax rate, where successive bands are taxed at increasing rates, may be beneficial for investment.

Respond to the call for evidence here.

Responses close on 18th February 2026.

Consultation on customs duty relief on low value imports

HM Treasury has launched a consultation after the announcement of the removal of the £135 customs duty relief for low-value imports.

Currently, low value imports (LVIs) – goods with a value of £135 or less being imported into the UK – can claim a customs duty relief. VAT is due on these goods following reforms in 2021. Following a significant increase in LVI volumes over recent years, the government has reviewed the existing customs arrangements for LVIs and concluded that these require reform. At Autumn Budget 2025, the Chancellor announced the removal of the relief from March 2029 at the latest.

This consultation covers the design of the new arrangements, including what data to collect, how the tariff should be applied, whether to apply an additional fee on LVIs to fund administration, and potential changes to VAT collection to reflect the new arrangements.

Respond to the consultation here.

Responses to the consultation will close on 6th March 2026.

Call for evidence: business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals

This call for evidence from the Department for Business and Trade focuses on how the government can continue to support co-operative and non-financial mutual businesses to start, grow and sustain, as well as existing businesses to transition into a co-operative or mutual model. 

It covers the start-up experiences of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals, how co-operatives and non-financial mutuals grow and sustain, the experiences of businesses that have mutualised, experiences of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals in accessing business support, and more.

Respond to the call for evidence here.

Responses to the call for evidence close on 18th February 2026.

Looking for research and analysis on Buckinghamshire's economy?

Visit our dedicated Reports and Analysis webpages for the latest insights on the Buckinghamshire economy and workforce, and the effect of policy decisions on our local business community.

Buckinghamshire Business First is the primary source of insights from the business coalface. This intelligence is used to ensure strategies and policies are based on robust evidence and to ensure government at all levels is aware of the economic issues facing Buckinghamshire’s communities.