Business calendar: insolvencies, inflation, the Budget and rates – the key dates to 17 November

The coming weeks will bring a series of data releases and decisions that matter to business owners. Tuesday 20 October, 9:30 – the Insolvency Service will publish provisional company insolvency figures for England and Wales for September. On the same day lower maximum fuel prices take effect in Poland (95 petrol – 6.79 zł, diesel – 7.97 zł), and the government is due to consider a draft postponing KSeF penalties until 2028.

Wednesday 21 October – the ONS will publish CPI inflation for September. According to market forecasts it may rise to 3.4% from 3.1% in August. Wednesday 28 October – Chancellor John Healey will present his first Budget. Thursday 5 November – Bank of England interest rate decision (currently 3.75%); markets price a 0.25 percentage point rise at about 95%. 17 November – the deadline by which company directors should have verified their identity with Companies House.

Editorial comment

This is a week to hold off on big borrowing decisions until the inflation data are out, and on pay and price planning for 2027 until the Budget. Higher inflation increases the chance of a rate rise, which means dearer loans and leasing. We will cover all these events as they happen, morning and afternoon.

What to do

• If you have a variable-rate loan, calculate how much your repayment would rise at a 4.00% rate.
• After tomorrow’s data, check customers at risk of insolvency on Companies House and the Insolvency Register.
• Before 28 October prepare a list of Budget questions with your accountant (NIC, business rates, fuel duty).
• Verify your identity with Companies House before 17 November.
• Running a business in Poland? Follow the fate of the draft on KSeF penalties.

What do you think?

Do you feel this in your business? Tell us in the comments below the article. We will cover the most interesting views in future editions.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Company insolvencies, September 2026 (release notice)
• investingLive: CPI and interest rate forecast
• THE BUSINESS TIME: rates at 3.75% and the 5 November decision
• THE BUSINESS TIME: maximum fuel prices from 20 October
• THE BUSINESS TIME: KSeF – penalties from 2028
• THE BUSINESS TIME: identity verification at Companies House

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