Core Viewpoint - Corvex, a US activist investor, is urging Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, to reassess its five-year capital plan due to a £50 million impact from the recent UK Budget changes [1][2][3]. Group 1: Investor Pressure - Corvex has acquired a 6.05% stake in Whitbread and is calling for a strategic review of the company's capital allocation and overall direction in light of the recent UK Budget changes [1][2]. - The UK Budget introduced an overhaul of business rates, leading to increased tax bills for larger commercial properties, which Whitbread expects to result in up to £50 million in additional costs [2][3]. Group 2: Capital Investment Concerns - Corvex has highlighted that Whitbread's current five-year capital plan involves approximately £3.5 billion in investments, which is close to the company's current market capitalization of about £4.06 billion [3][5]. - The investor suggests that the planned investment figure should be reconsidered, indicating a belief that it may be excessive [4]. Group 3: Market Reaction and Company Response - Following Corvex's intervention, shares in Whitbread rose by 6%, although the company's stock has fallen nearly 11% over the past year, with multiple analysts downgrading its rating from "buy" to "hold" [5][6]. - Whitbread's management has stated that they have a clear strategy and are exploring various options to enhance profits and returns in response to the UK Budget's impact [7].