Alex Depledge, the Treasury's entrepreneurship adviser, is stepping down two days before the Budget. According to City AM, she accused ministers of treating Britain's fastest-growing companies as a "sideshow". She leaves on Thursday. That is the day after the Chancellor, John Healey, delivers his first Budget on 28 October.
01Why Alex Depledge is leaving
Depledge was appointed by the then chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in June 2025. She founded the cleaning marketplace Hassle.com and the property technology firm Resi.
She argued that ministers were favouring established industries over high-growth businesses. "Keeping scale-ups on the fringes underestimates the contribution of our greatest companies," she told The Sunday Times.
She also said July's change of chancellor meant she had to win her arguments a second time. City AM reports that she wants to return to running a business.
02What founders want on Wednesday
Depledge did not say what she had proposed for the Budget. City AM reports she suggested it could include new incentives for company founders.
Entrepreneurs are also urging the Chancellor to protect Business Asset Disposal Relief. This relief lowers the Capital Gains Tax you pay when you sell all or part of a qualifying business. From 6 April 2026 the rate is 18%, and you can claim up to £1 million of relief over your lifetime.
A group of founders also wants a tax break for reinvesting. It would apply when you sell a business and put the money into other British companies. According to the business network Helm, 73% of 400 scale-up founders it surveyed were not at all confident the Budget would be good for business.
The Chancellor has ruled out an increase in Capital Gains Tax, City AM reports.
03What to check in the Budget documents
None of these asks is confirmed. On Wednesday, three things are worth checking if you own or plan to buy a business.
- Business Asset Disposal Relief: Check whether the 18% rate or the £1 million lifetime limit changes. This matters if you plan to sell in the next few years.
- Founder incentives: Look for any new relief for founders or for reinvesting sale proceeds.
- Share schemes: Check for changes to Enterprise Management Incentives if you offer share options to staff.
If you are buying a business, a change to the seller's tax bill can change their asking price or their timing. It is worth having your business acquisition finance lined up before you make an offer. Our report on how SMEs expect the Budget to affect them has more on what small firms are watching.
