Brent Hoberman warns that looming UK tax policy under Starmer could overburden the tech sector

Executive summary: Brent Hoberman, co‑founder of Lastminute.com, warned in a podcast that UK tax policy under Prime Minister Keir Starmer might become excessively heavy for the technology sector. Tax policy directly influences the competitiveness, investment decisions, and growth prospects of UK tech firms, affecting venture capital, hiring, and overall sector valuation.

Who is involved: Brent Hoberman, UK government (Prime Minister Keir Starmer), Technology industry stakeholders

Likely next: The UK Treasury is expected to consult on specific tech tax reforms., Industry groups may lobby for a balanced taxation approach., Discussions could align with broader EU digital tax initiatives.

In a recent podcast, Brent Hoberman questioned whether the incoming Labour government’s tax plans would become excessively burdensome for UK technology companies. He framed the comment as a caution about potential fiscal measures that could affect profitability and investment appeal of the sector. The statement reflects ongoing debate over how to balance public finances with maintaining a competitive tech ecosystem.