Simon Saunders

A great evening last night in London with @GavinBarwell. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a lively discussion about the future of our politics and the challenges facing the UK. We have more events planned across the country. Come along, have your say and get involved. prosperuk.com/events

Prosper UK is continuing its programme of events across the country, and we’d love you to join us. We’re heading to: 11 November - Solihull with @andy4wm 16 November - Stratford with @andy4wm and @margot_james_ 30 November - Ipswich with @DavidGauke and @margot_james_ 9 December - Nottingham with @andy4wm Come along, meet the team and be part of the conversation. prosperuk.com/events

The UK had 104,000 fewer businesses at the start of 2026 than a year earlier. SMEs account for 99.9% of British businesses. Our SME report sets out reforms to business rates, access to finance, late payments and energy costs to help British businesses grow. prosperuk.com/helping_britis…

Today’s Budget must be judged against two tests: will it deliver stronger economic growth, and will it put the public finances on a sustainable footing? There are welcome steps on business rates and devolution, but downgraded growth forecasts and reduced fiscal headroom raise serious questions.

If we want the UK economy to grow, we need to help our small businesses grow. Our latest report sets out so many practical proposals, from unlocking investment and reforming business rates to tackling late payments. With the Budget approaching, SMEs must be part of the growth conversation.

We’re heading to Bristol on Monday. We’ve got a packed programme of events across the country between now and the end of the year, with Cambridge, London, Cardiff and Stratford-upon-Avon all coming up. And more dates still to be announced. Come along and join the conversation. prosperuk.com/events

Next stop: Bristol. We’re heading around the country, taking the conversation beyond Westminster, listening to people and businesses about what needs to change. Join Andy Street and the Prosper UK team on Monday 26 October. Central Bristol | 6pm | Free and open to all. Book your place: prosperuk.com/prosper_uk_is_…

£50 million was reportedly spent balancing the electricity grid yesterday. Meanwhile, the UK has needed emergency power from France, struggled to move electricity from north to south and faced repeated forecasting errors. thetimes.com/article/7254757…

Fixing the UK’s housing crisis requires radical reform, not tinkering around the edges. Our Housing Commission, chaired by @GavinBarwell, has set out a comprehensive plan to get Britain building again, make homes more affordable and restore the dream of homeownership. Read about it in @CityAM: cityam.com/these-are-the-two…

Just 15% of businesses are confident about hiring, according to new CBI research. Rising employment costs are making it harder for firms to create jobs, particularly for young people. You cannot deliver growth and opportunity while making it increasingly expensive to employ people. Ahead of the Budget, we need a serious conversation about how to reduce the barriers facing SMEs and give them the confidence to invest, recruit and grow. thisismoney.co.uk/money/mark…

There was a welcome shift towards growth and economic credibility at Conservative Party Conference. But difficult choices remain on spending, tax and the triple lock. @DavidGauke reflects on the progress made and the work still to do, for @ConHome. conservativehome.com/2026/10…

Since 2020, regulation, policy and tax have added over £38,000 to the cost of building an average new home. The result? Developments that once made financial sense are now being abandoned. We’ve set out how to unlock housebuilding and deliver the homes the UK needs. thetimes.com/life-style/prop…