The Independent, on UK Politics, 23 October 2026

3.0out of 10Minor

Businesses to save £800m on paperwork under Healey's new plan

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Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Businesses to save £800m on paperwork under Healey's new plan Anna Loren Friday 23 October 2026 07:12 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Related: Healey says Britain's growth trajectory 'has been weak' Chancellor John Healey has unveiled plans to save UK businesses about £800 million by cutting unnecessary form-filling and red tape ahead of his first Budget.

The measures aim to cut business regulatory admin by 25 per cent by the end of this Parliament, streamlining reporting and property transaction processes. Import tariff suspensions covering more than 250 products across various sectors have been extended for another year, generating up to £155 million in savings. , saying that reducing bureaucracy will give companies the breathing space to invest, grow, and create jobs.

The announcement comes amid tight public finances, after UK government borrowing rose to £24.5 billion last month. In full Chancellor unveils £800 million savings for businesses by slashing 'pointless paperwork'

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What we found (1)

The Independent gives a short, mostly accurate bulletin on the Chancellor's plan to cut business paperwork. It quotes only the government and leaves out the Conservative response that the BBC carried.

  1. One side gets the space

    Minor

    “Prime Minister Andy Burnham supported the move”

    Why this matters
    The article quotes only the Chancellor's plan and the Prime Minister's endorsement, and no other voice appears.
    The impression it gives
    A reader sees the plan only through the government's own case for it.
    The context
    The BBC carried the Conservatives' response that Labour had made problems worse for businesses. The Independent gives no reaction from the opposition or from business.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

What it gets right

  • “The announcement comes amid tight public finances, after UK government borrowing rose to £24.5 billion last month.”

    It sets the announcement against the state of the public finances instead of passing on the government's pitch alone.

  • “The measures aim to cut business regulatory admin by 25 per cent by the end of this Parliament”

    It presents the 25 per cent target as an aim, not as an outcome already achieved.

How other outlets reported it

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