NEWSLETTER 183

 

DECEMBER 2023

In this month’s Enews we look at what the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement meant for businesses, employees and the self-employed. We also update you on the criticism of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme and a crackdown on crypto tax evasion. With the latest data on the UK economy and the new advisory fuel rates, there is a lot to update you on.

• Chancellor makes Full Expensing permanent in Autumn Statement
• National Insurance changes 'ease burden on strivers'
• Autumn Statement cuts won't stop tax revenues rising to highest ever levels
• HMRC is ‘Making Tax Difficult’ with MTD programme
• Government agrees to crack down on crypto tax evasion
• Real Living Wage to increase by 10%
• Rate of inflation falls as interest rates held
• Advisory fuel rates for company cars

Chancellor makes Full Expensing permanent in Autumn Statement

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his Autumn Statement to make Full Expensing permanent for those businesses investing in IT equipment, plant and machinery.

The Chancellor said he was aiming to stimulate economic growth and highlighted 110 measures for businesses in the Statement.

Full Expensing was first announced in the March Budget and was scheduled to last for three years. The rules allow a 100% write-off on qualifying expenditure on most plant and machinery (excluding cars) as long as it is unused and not second-hand.

Mr Hunt has now made it permanent and said it represents the 'largest business tax cut in modern British history', worth £11 billion per annum.

The Chancellor also extended the tax reliefs and incentives for Freeports and the Investment Zones programme from five to ten years. In addition, he announced three advanced manufacturing Investment Zones, which will be established in Greater Manchester, the East Midlands and the West Midlands.

There is also a business rates support package worth £4.3 billion over the next five years to help high streets and protect small businesses. This includes a rollover of the 75% retail, hospitality and leisure relief.

Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said:

'Making full capital expensing a permanent feature of the tax system can be transformational for accelerating growth and improving living standards in the long-term. Helping firms to unleash pent-up investment is critical to getting momentum into the economy.'

Internet link: GOV.UK CBI website

National Insurance changes 'ease burden on strivers'

The changes to National Insurance contributions (NICs) announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Statement will help to 'ease the burden on strivers up and down the country', according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Mr Hunt used his Autumn Statement speech to cut the main rate of employee NICs from 12% to 10% for 27 million workers across the UK. This is set to take effect from 6 January 2024. The Chancellor said that, for the average employee earning £35,400 per year, the change amounts to a £450 annual tax cut.

For the self-employed, the Chancellor also abolished Class 2 NICs and cut Class 4 NICs from 9% to 8%, effective from 6 April 2024.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the FSB, said:

'The Chancellor's decision to reduce the rate of self-employed NICs and abolish the Class 2 element is extremely welcome, easing the burden on strivers up and down the country.

'The FSB has long campaigned for the abolition of the Class 2 element of NICs and the reduction of Class 4, and we are therefore pleased that the Chancellor has acted.'

Internet link: GOV.UK FSB website

Autumn Statement cuts won't stop tax revenues rising to highest ever levels

The tax cuts announced in the 2023 Autumn Statement won't prevent tax revenues rising to their highest ever levels, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned.

The IFS stated that announcing tax cuts in response to 'highly uncertain' changes in assumptions about the UK's medium-term economic prospects 'does not feel like a recipe for good management of the public finances'.

It also acknowledged that the Chancellor's cuts to the rates of National Insurance contributions (NICs) put money back into the pockets of 27 million workers. However, it said the bigger picture means that the changes give back less than £1 of every £4 that has been taken away from households through changes to NICs and income tax announced since March 2021.

However, the business group did welcome the Chancellor's decision to make Full Expensing permanent but noted that the move indicates that the Autumn Statement was an event focused on medium-term growth.

Paul Johnson, Director of the IFS, said:

'The growth outlook has weakened. Inflation is expected to stay higher for longer. Higher inflation pushes up tax receipts by more than it pushes up spending on debt interest or social security benefits.

'His immediate cut to national insurance will put more money into workers' pockets when it comes in but won't be enough to prevent this from being the biggest tax-raising parliament in modern times. These cuts will also not stop tax revenues rising to their highest ever levels.'

Internet link: IFS website

HMRC is ‘Making Tax Difficult’ with MTD programme

HMRC is ‘Making Tax Difficult’ for taxpayers as Making Tax Digital (MTD) adds to the burdens they face, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The report says that HMRC has lost sight of the need to put taxpayers at the heart of changes to the tax system.
The PAC says that HMRC is increasing the burdens imposed on some taxpayers through the MTD initiative. It said that in seeking further investment in MTD, HMRC has not been transparent enough about the 'substantial costs' MTD will impose on many taxpayers.
According to the Committee, the design of MTD fails to take into sufficient account the realities facing business taxpayers and agents.
It said that while MTD will 'substantially benefit' HMRC by improving its systems, taxpayers are asked to spend more and do more in order to be compliant.
The report revealed that HMRC excluded more than £2 billion in upfront transitional MTD costs for taxpayers from its 2022 and 2023 business cases for the scheme. It also found that 'widespread and repeated' failures in HMRC's planning, design and delivery of MTD have led to increased costs and delays to the initiative.
Meg Hillier, Chair of the PAC, said:
'When reporting on proposals for digitalising the tax system, our committee should not have to be recommending that HMRC start with what taxpayers need – in an ideal world, one would hope this would simply go without saying. But seven years and £640 million into the MTD programme, we are concerned HMRC is also succeeding in making tax difficult.'
Internet link: Parliament website

Government agrees to crack down on crypto tax evasion

The UK government has agreed an 'historic' commitment with 48 countries to combat criminals using crypto assets to evade tax.
The landmark agreement follows on from the UK's tax deal made in 2021 to clamp down on corporate tax avoidance and 'ensure the right tax is paid in the right place'.
The new Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) flagship tax transparency standard that will require crypto platforms to begin sharing taxpayer information with tax authorities.
The new framework will allow international authorities to exchange information in order to enforce tax compliance and builds on the existing Common Reporting Standard system authorities utilise to share information.
Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:
'I am proud that the UK is once again demonstrating leadership on tackling global tax evasion, helping to secure the revenue that's essential for the public services we all use.
'We are sending out a strong message that we will not allow criminals to use crypto to avoid paying their fair share.'
Internet link: GOV.UK

Real Living Wage to increase by 10%

The Real Living Wage is set to increase by 10%, the Living Wage Foundation has announced.

The rate will rise to £12 an hour across the UK and £13.15 an hour in London. The increase will affect over 460,000 people working for 14,000 Real Living Wage employers across the UK.

Unlike the National Living Wage (NLW), the Real Living Wage is independently calculated based on rising living costs and applies to everyone over 18.

Katherine Chapman, Living Wage Foundation Director, said:

'As inflation eases, we cannot forget that low paid workers remain at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis. Low paid workers continue to struggle with stubbornly high prices because they spend a larger share of their budget on food and energy.

'During these tough economic times, it is heartening that record numbers of employers are signing up to join the Living Wage movement, protecting everyone who works for them - including cleaners - from rising prices and seeing the benefits of a more motivated and engaged workforce.'

Internet link: Living Wage Foundation website

Rate of inflation falls as interest rates held

UK inflation fell to a two-year low while the base rate of interest was unchanged by the Bank of England for the second month in a row.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that the UK's rate of Consumer Price Index inflation fell to 4.6% from 6.7% in September.
The ONS found that a small reduction in the energy price cap helped to bring the inflation rate down. According to the data, electricity costs are down 15.6% compared to a year earlier, whilst gas costs are down by 31%.
Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held the base interest rate at 5.25%.
The latest decision marks the second time in a row that interest rates have been held at 5.25% – their highest level in 15 years.
David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
'The decision to again hold the interest rate at 5.25% will allay some concerns of the businesses we speak to that are unable to stomach further rises.
'Our research has shown that interest rates have grown as a key issue among companies. This is especially true for smaller firms and those in consumer facing sectors who have seen rising borrowing costs and decreased customer demand.’
Internet link: ONS website Bank of England website BCC website

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 December 2023.
The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.
The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 December 2023 are:

 

Engine size	Petrol
1400cc or less	14p
1401cc - 2000cc	16p
Over 2000cc	26p

 

Engine size	LPG
1400cc or less	10p
1401cc - 2000cc	12p
Over 2000cc	18p

 

Engine size	Diesel
1600cc or less	13p
1601cc - 2000cc	15p
Over 2000cc	20p

HMRC guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:

•         reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars

require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel

You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.

The Advisory Electricity Rate for fully electric cars is 9p per mile. Electricity is not a fuel for car fuel benefit purposes.

If you would like to discuss your company car policy, please contact us.

Internet link: GOV.UK AFR

Christmas Pay Dates

 

Reporting PAYE information in real time when payments are made early at Christmas In 2019 HMRC introduced a permanent easement on reporting PAYE information in real time. They are aware some employers pay their employees earlier than usual over the Christmas period. This can be for a number of reasons, for example, during the Christmas period the business may close, meaning workers need to be paid earlier than normal.    If you do pay early over the Christmas period, please report your normal or contractual payday as the payment date on your Full Payment Submission (FPS) and ensure that the FPS is submitted on or before this date.   For example, if you pay on Friday 15‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023 but the normal or contractual payment date is Friday 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023, you will need to report the payment date on the FPS as 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023 and ensure the submission is sent on or before 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023.   This will help to protect any of your employees who are eligible for Universal Credit. Reporting the payday as the date payment is made may affect current and future entitlements to Universal Credit. The overriding PAYE reporting obligation for employers is unaffected by this exception and remains that you must report payments, on or before the date the employee is paid.

Newsletter 181

 

October 2023

In this month’s Enews we look at the upcoming Autumn Statement and the latest data on the UK economy. We also update you on changes to the National Minimum Wage and SME finance. With news on Covid grant fraud and Child Trust Funds, there is a lot to update you on.

• Firms looking to Autumn Statement for help with rising operating costs
• Interest rates held as inflation falls
• National Living Wage to rise from April 2024
• SMEs 'struggling to access finance'
• Government slow to recover over £1 billion Covid grant fraud
• HMRC urges nearly 430,000 young people to claim Child Trust Fund cash
• Less than 1% of small firms receiving net zero help
• Number of cash transactions rises for first time in a decade

Firms looking to Autumn Statement for help with rising operating costs

Small firms will look to the upcoming Autumn Statement for signs that the government understands their operating concerns, says the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The business group said that UK businesses need urgent action to help stem the issue of late payment. It says that large corporates use late payments to offset interest rate rises by 'demanding, in practice, free credit from their supply chains'.

The FSB is also urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to overhaul the business rates system and has called for an extension of the 75% business rates discount for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, as this discount is set to expire in April 2024. It said that these sectors have been 'acutely affected' by falling confidence levels and economic headwinds.

Martin McTague, National Chair of the FSB, said that the recent decision by the Bank of England not to raise interest rates will 'give firms breathing space'.

He continued:

'[The] unexpectedly large drop in GDP is a sign that the painful interest rate rises we have endured are acting as predicted, and we urge the Bank to allow time for the lag between rate hikes and the full effect on spending to be fully observed, so that there is less risk of overshooting and causing unnecessary economic damage.

‘Small firms need some respite, and now will look to the Autumn Statement for signs from the government that it’s listening and understands their concerns. As a nation, we urgently need action to stem late payments, which are used by large corporates to offset interest rate rises by demanding, in practice, free credit from their supply chains.’

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver the 2023 Autumn Statement on 22 November.

Internet link: FSB website GOV.UK

Interest rates held as inflation falls

The UK’s base rate of interest was held at 5.25% in September as the rate of inflation fell to 6.7% in the year to August 2023.

The fall in the rate of inflation surprised economists, who expected it to rise. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 6.8% in July to 6.7% in August.

Slowing food price increases helped drive the fall, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found, particularly prices for eggs, milk and cheese.

Alpesh Paleja, Lead Economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said:

‘Inflation fell again in August, defying expectations of a slight uptick. We expect inflation to continue falling over the rest of this year, but the recent uptick in global oil and domestic fuel prices means that the path back down may now be bumpier.’

Following the fall in the rate of inflation, interest rates were left unchanged at 5.25% by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

The MPC had previously raised rates 14 times in a row to tame inflation, leading to increases in mortgage payments but also higher savings rates.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

‘Businesses will be giving a cautious welcome to today’s decision by the Bank of England to hold the base rate at 5.25%. Constant hikes in the cost-of-borrowing have had a hugely detrimental impact on the firms we represent.

‘Companies need reassurance that decisions on interest rates are not knee-jerk reactions to the most recent inflation data.

‘We need clear direction from decision makers, creating a roadmap for business that really boosts confidence and investment.’

Internet link: Bank of England website ONS website CBI website BCC website

National Living Wage to rise from April 2024

The National Living Wage (NLW) will rise to at least £11 an hour from April 2024, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

The Chancellor confirmed the increase in a speech to the Conservative Party conference and said the rise will benefit two million low paid workers. People aged 23 and over are eligible for the NLW.

The Treasury stated that as a result of successive increases, a full-time worker on the NLW will be more than £9,000 better off than they would have been in 2010.

Katherine Chapman, Director of the independent Living Wage Foundation, said:

'A rise in the statutory NLW from next April is welcome news for low paid workers, but may fall short of the real Living Wage next year, the only rate that is independently calculated based on the cost of living.

'Our research ... showed that 60% of people earning below the real Living Wage had used a foodbank in the past year and nearly 40% were regularly skipping meals.'

Internet links: GOV.UK Living Wage Foundation

SMEs 'struggling to access finance'

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to access finance and working capital, according to a report published by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The ACCA's data showed that small firms are struggling to access finance for a range of reasons, including rising interest rates. 57% of firms reported that borrowing in order to manage cashflow has proven more difficult over the last quarter when compared to the previous 12 months.

47% stated that supplier credit is now harder to access, and 27% said that accessing support from HMRC's Time to Pay initiative is harder.

Small firms also found late payment to be a 'persistent problem' in the UK, creating barriers for cashflow throughout supply chains and leading to adverse consequences for some businesses.

Late payments by large businesses have the most detrimental impact on small firms, the research revealed: late payments from large firms generate a 'domino effect' throughout supply chains.

Glenn Collins, Head of Technical and Strategic Engagement at the ACCA, said:

'More effort is needed in encouraging banks to reach out to the SME community and to provide more suitable financial products.

'Equity finance offers an alternative route to raising funds. And government needs joined up thinking to make sure it is not accidentally restricting the flow of finance to this crucial sector.'

Internet link: ACCA website

Government slow to recover over £1 billion Covid grant fraud

The government has been slow to recover losses of £1.1 billion from fraud and error in Covid grant schemes, according to MPs in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The latest PAC report found that after spending £22.6 billion on business support schemes during the pandemic, the government had only recovered £20.9 million of the estimated £1.1 billion in fraud and error losses by May 2023.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it would take until the end of 2025 to recover the losses from fraudulent claims and estimated that it would be ‘very expensive’ to check the veracity of every claim.

The Covid grant scheme ran for two years from March 2020 to March 2022, and local authorities handled applications from businesses.

PAC Chair, Dame Meg Hillier MP, said:

'The government must not wait for the conclusions of the Covid inquiry to learn the lessons laid out in this report. Never again should a national emergency find policy being written as we go along, without firm planning and good local data, with local authorities not properly funded to work in partnership on the support required.

'The next emergency must find the government rigorously prepared with an understanding of the optimal means to support businesses through difficult times.

'The lack of planning from government also meant that a door was left wide open in these schemes to fraudsters who took shameful financial advantage of schemes that were designed with national solidarity in mind.'

Internet link: Parliament website

HMRC urges nearly 430,000 young people to claim Child Trust Fund cash

HMRC has urged almost 430,000 young people with an unclaimed Child Trust Fund (CTF) to claim their cash.

CTFs are tax-free savings accounts that were created for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The government contributed an initial deposit of at least £250. Family and friends can contribute up to a maximum of £9,000 in any one year into an existing CTF account.

CTF accounts began to mature in September 2020 when the first children turned 18.

HMRC revealed that there are currently 5.3 million open CTF accounts, and that more than 500,000 matured CTF accounts have been claimed or transferred into an ISA since September 2020.

Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, said:

'Many 18–21-year-olds are starting out in first jobs or apprenticeships, starting university or moving into their first home and their CTF is a pot of money with their name on.

'I would encourage young people to use the online tool to track it down or, for parents of teenagers, to speak to them to ensure they're aware of their CTF. It could make a real difference to their future plans.'

Internet link: HMRC website

Less than 1% of small firms receiving net zero help

Less than 1% of small firms have benefitted from key local support schemes across England on net zero, according to research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Warwick Business School.

The research has raised concerns over the reach and accessibility of the programmes as the UK's 2050 target edges closer.

Small businesses also face future challenges due to the changing funding landscape for net zero business support in England. While local authorities emerge as the most common contributor, the European Regional Development Fund is no longer available due to Brexit.

The FSB makes several recommendations, including a national 'Help to Green' scheme, consisting of an online hub of practical information on reducing energy usage and carbon emissions.

Richard Askew, FSB England Policy Unit Chair, said:

'Small businesses play a critical role in reaching net zero by 2050 and it's encouraging to see that many firms are taking steps to mitigate their impact on the environment – from installing basic measures such as LED lighting to becoming fully self-sufficient microgenerators.

'But reaching net zero is a complex process and there are still many small businesses that lack the money, resources and time to progress their decarbonising efforts.'

Internet link: FSB website

Number of cash transactions rises for first time in a decade

The number of payments made with cash rose for the first time in a decade in 2022, according to data published by UK Finance.

According to UK Finance, the total number of payments made last year increased to 45.7 billion from 40.4 billion in 2021. 50% of all payments in the UK were made using debit cards, and the number of cash payments rose to 6.4 billion.

The data also showed that almost a third of all adults in the UK are registered for at least one mobile payment service and 86% of individuals use remote banking.

Businesses' payments accounted for 13% of all payments made in the UK during 2022, and consumers made 87% of all payments.

Adrian Buckle, Head of Research at UK Finance, said:

'During 2022 we saw increased use of contactless, online banking and mobile payments, although cost-of-living challenges meant that some people preferred to use cash to help with their budgeting.

'Changes to shopping and travel habits, particularly related to the rise of hybrid working, led to a big jump in the volume of transactions made. Debit cards remain the most popular way of paying, with them now accounting for half of all payments made in the UK.'

Internet link: UK Finance website

HMRC Changes re Late VAT Returns

 

HMRC Changes re Late VAT Returns

If a VAT Return is submitted later than the deadline date, the

process used to be that HMRC would raise an estimated assessment for tax which they believed to be due and inevitably this was more than the actual Return would show.

Advice has been to get the Return in as soon as possible and pay the tax accordingly. At the point of receipt, HMRC would update the record to cancel the assessment. This process has now changed.

In future, HMRC will only remove the assessment after the correct Return has been received, verified and if appropriate ant enquiries cleared. At that point the correct return will be included in the VAT Account.

This can be a much lengthier process because as we know, HMRC enquiries can take weeks or months for them to deal with and in the meantime HMRC could now send Collectors to your door looking for payment of the assessment.

Telling HMRC that the Return has been submitted may not be sufficient if there are ongoing enquiries.

Finally, if a taxpayer believes that an assessment is lower than the return & chooses to pay that lower figure then they may encounter a different problem. Within the VAT Regulations there is a provision which states that if a taxpayer knows that an assessment made is lower than the actual VAT due, they have 30 days to inform HMRC. Failure to do so can lead to a penalty of up to 30% of the actual tax due as per the Return.

Newsletter 180

 

September 2023

In this month’s Enews we look at the latest data on UK inflation and warnings for this winter’s energy bills. We also update you on the government’s new Business Climate Hub and the increase in savers being caught in the tax net. With guidance for employers and the latest advisory fuel rates, there is a lot to update you on.

• Inflation falls to 6.8% in July
• UK set for five years of lost economic growth, warns think tank
• Over a third of households across England will pay higher energy bills this winter
• HMRC should increase rewards for whistleblowers, says law firm
• Another million savers to be hit with tax on interest
• Government launches Business Climate Hub
• Latest guidance for employers
• Advisory fuel rates for company cars

Inflation falls to 6.8% in July

The UK's annual inflation rate fell to 6.8% in July, down from 7.9% in June, according to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

It is the smallest increase in the cost of living since February 2022.

A fall in gas and electricity, as well as a slowing down in the increase of food prices, are the major drivers behind the inflation rate decrease, according to the ONS.

However, core inflation, which strips out volatile items such as fuel and food remained unchanged at 6.9% in July while service sector inflation rose from 7.2% to 7.4%.

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

'While a drop in inflation provides some comfort, the figures show less of a drop in inflation than hoped for and will renew fears of a wage-price spiral, and of yet more base rate hikes in future.

'The worry now is that rising wages ignite a fresh wave of inflation in September, which will threaten the momentum from June's GDP growth.

'The cost of doing business crisis still has a grip on the small business community, as prices for many key inputs, from energy to components and raw materials, remain far above where they were a year ago.

'Any reduction in inflation is good news, but the huge toll that spiralling prices have inflicted is still being keenly felt by small firms.'

Internet link: ONS website FSB website

UK set for five years of lost economic growth, warns think tank

The UK is set for five years of lost economic growth, according to research from think tank the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR).

The NIESR said the series of shocks from Brexit, Covid and Russia's invasion of Ukraine had badly affected the economy. It added that the spending power of workers in many parts of the UK will remain below pre-pandemic levels until the end of 2024.

Despite pay increases, high inflation has forced up prices and the rising cost of living has left households throughout the UK feeling squeezed.

The NIESR forecasts that inflation, the rate at which prices rise, will remain continually above the Bank of England's 2% target until early 2025, meaning the cost of living will also continue to rise.

Jagjit Chadha, Director at the NIESR, said:

‘The problem we face is that rarely has there been more urgent need, arguably never since the late 1970s, to address this country’s economic problems. But at the same time rarely have they been so entrenched that it is hard to think of any quick fixes that will materially improve living standards across the income distribution within a single Parliament.

‘The economy seems constrained by its pre-Covid peak in activity and is being held back by a sharp normalisation in policy rates, a sequence of persistent negative shocks to supply capacity and a marked slowing in world growth.

‘Brexit has done a great service by revealing even more clearly the underlying problems in the British economy but has not yet located solutions. In truth, shock therapy has tended not to work in any country and, so far, neither has Brexit.’

Internet link: NIESR website

 

Over a third of households across England will pay higher energy bills this winter

More than a third of English households will see higher energy bills this winter than they did last winter, according to research published by the Resolution Foundation.

Almost half of those hit by the higher bills will be in the poorest tenth of households, the report said.

Ofgem is expected to announce a reduction in the energy price cap from October, with typical annual energy bills falling from £2,100 last winter to around £1,923 this winter.

This fall is largely driven by falling wholesale gas prices.

Although the price per unit of energy is falling, this will be offset by a rise in the daily standing charge, and the fact that last winter's universal £400 energy support is not being repeated.

As a result, the biggest falls in bills will be seen by households who use the most energy – while households who consume relatively little energy will face higher energy bills this winter.

Jonny Marshall, Senior Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said:

'The cost-of-living squeeze is far from over. And, although government schemes have improved their targeting of support throughout the crisis to those most in need, significant gaps remain which should be urgently addressed to help the most vulnerable get through the challenging months ahead.

'In the longer term, the government needs to reduce the UK's dependency on gas and improve the state of our home insulation to prevent the winter energy crisis from becoming an annual occurrence.'

Internet link: Resolution Foundation website

 

HMRC should increase rewards for whistleblowers, says law firm

HMRC should increase the rewards it pays out to whistleblowers in line with the US system, according to law firm RPC.

The tax authority paid out over £509,000 to individuals providing evidence about tax fraud over the past year, RPC's research found.

That figure is up from £495,000 in 2021/22 and a 75% increase from the £290,000 paid five years ago, the law firm added.

However, it is just 1.7% of the sum paid to informants by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The IRS pays whistleblowers 15-30% of the additional tax collected through investigations instigated as a consequence of information received. In 2022, $37.8 million was paid by the IRS to 132 whistleblowers - 58 times the amount paid to UK whistleblowers.

Adam Craggs, Partner and Head of RPC's Tax, Financial Crime and Regulatory team, said:

'More individuals, with evidence of serious tax fraud, would come forward if they knew they could be in line for a life-changing amount of money.

'Paying a proportionate amount for high quality information that helps secure criminal convictions and the recovery of substantial amounts for the Exchequer would be a sensible step. HMRC has been making payments for information on an ad hoc basis for many years and would benefit from improving the system and placing it on a more formal basis.'

Internet link: RPC website

 

Another million savers to be hit with tax on interest

The frozen Savings Allowance combined with rising interest rates will push over one million taxpayers into paying tax on their savings this tax year, according to research by investment platform AJ Bell.

In the 2023/24 tax year it is estimated that over 2.7 million individuals will pay tax on interest, up by a million in a year.

This year's predicted total includes nearly 1.4 million basic rate taxpayers, a figure which has quadrupled in just four years, AJ Bell's research found.

Individuals pay tax on interest they earn on savings that exceeds the personal Savings Allowance, which currently stands at £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers. Additional rate taxpayers get no exemption and pay tax on all interest they receive.

Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell, said:

'These figures highlight just how many taxpayers are facing a tax bill for their savings interest this year – a huge leap when compared to last year. The combination of higher interest rates and people having shunned ISA accounts in recent years means that the number paying tax on their savings has more than tripled in the past four years.

'Rising rates and a frozen personal Savings Allowance means some individuals are being taxed despite having relatively modest pots of cash set aside for a rainy day. To add insult to injury, because inflation is so high, they aren't even making a real return on their money – yet they are still being taxed.'

Internet link: AJ Bell website

Government launches Business Climate Hub

The government has launched the UK Business Climate Hub to offer firms advice and support on reducing their energy bills and cutting their carbon emissions.

The Hub includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track and report on their emissions.

It also offers detailed advice on topics, including sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics, as well as the most cost-effective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

The Hub is aimed at SMEs, which the government says are often keen to tackle climate change but find it difficult to know how to reduce their carbon footprint.

Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said:

'The UK has cut its emissions more than any other major economy in the world. More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we're determined to empower them to do so.

'The new UK Business Climate Hub is a one-stop-shop for businesses to find practical advice to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills.

'Whether it's fitting a low-carbon heat pump, generating energy with solar panels, or reducing the emissions from shipping goods, the new support will ensure businesses can drive towards net zero.'

Internet link: Business Climate Hub

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin. The August issue has information on various topics, including:

• tax relief on employee contributions to registered pension schemes
• ceasing your PAYE scheme
• the National Minimum Wage
• helping customers steer clear of tax avoidance schemes
• income tax self assessment - preparing for the new tax year basis
• helping your new employees get paid correctly
• tackling non-compliance in the umbrella company market.

Please contact us for help with tax matters.

Internet link: Employer Bulletin

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 September 2023.

The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 September 2023 are:

 

Engine size	Petrol
1400cc or less	13p
1401cc - 2000cc	16p
Over 2000cc	25p

 

Engine size	LPG
1400cc or less	10p
1401cc - 2000cc	12p
Over 2000cc	19p

 

Engine size	Diesel
1600cc or less	12p
1601cc - 2000cc	14p
Over 2000cc	19p

HMRC guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:

• reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars
• require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.

You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.

The Advisory Electricity Rate for fully electric cars is 10p per mile. Electricity is not a fuel for car fuel benefit purposes.

If you would like to discuss your company car policy, please contact us.

Internet link: GOV.UK AFR

 

Suspected Tax Avoidance

  

In November 2022 , Overseas companies which owned non residential property in the UK were required to register with Companies House.

The initial prompt led to many registrations and it might be fair to assume that those overseas interests which did so were probably compliant in the vast majority of their dealings.

Of course , HMRC have had access to the register & are trawling through with the intention of identifying some who do not fully comply with their UK tax obligations.

Two things arise here-

 (1) some companies on that register are not paying UK tax when perhaps they should 

(2) given the volumes involved, there are many who have not registered and almost certainly are avoiding payment of UK tax

HMRC are, it seems, now writing out to those it knows from the list & to some which are not but where HMRC has good grounds to believe  that tax avoidance is at play.

Follow up letters are apparently being now sent out with the intention of collecting in tax properly due to the Treasury.

Newletter 179

 

September 2023

In this month’s Enews we look at the latest news on inflation and the UK economy and the Bank of England’s latest interest rate decision. We also update you on the CMA’s plan to help drivers get competitive fuel prices and the UK’s first investment zone. With guidance on Child Trust Funds and a major overhaul of alcohol duties, there is a lot to update you on.

• UK inflation falls as economy shrinks in May
• Bank of England raises UK interest rates to 5.25%
• HMRC increases late payment interest rate to 7.5%
• CMA scheme will force retailers to publish live fuel prices
• Almost a million Child Trust Funds still unclaimed
• South Yorkshire named as first UK Investment Zone
• Tax down on pints but up on wines and spirits in Alcohol Duty overhaul 
• HMRC gives £1.8 million a year to charities to help excluded taxpayers

UK inflation falls as economy shrinks in May

The UK’s rate of inflation fell to 7.9% in the year to June while the country’s economy shrank in May, according to the latest Consumer Prices Index (CPI) published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The inflation rate is currently at its lowest annual rate since March 2022, the ONS said.

Price rises have slowed by more than experts anticipated. According to the ONS, falling fuel prices helped the rate of inflation to drop, and food prices rose less quickly when compared to June 2022.

Core inflation also fell from 7.1% to 6.9%, the data showed.

Meanwhile, the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May following growth of 0.2% in April, ONS data showed.

The rising cost of living and higher interest rates have been squeezing households and businesses, the ONS said.

It said the manufacturing, energy and construction sectors fell in May, along with sales at pubs and bars.

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said the figures provide 'further evidence of the precarious state of the UK economy'.

He added:

'While businesses have been incredibly resilient in stomaching multiple waves of economic crises, our latest Quarterly Economic Survey shows that most firms are still not reporting improved business conditions.

'Positively, slightly fewer businesses report inflationary pressures, but interest rates have grown as a concern for businesses. We are starting to see more businesses report rising borrowing costs, but we are yet to understand the full impact of rising interest rates.

'Businesses are operating in a climate with a high degree of uncertainty, and government and Bank of England policy both need to be very responsive to developments.'

Internet links: ONS June inflation data ONS May GDP data BCC website

Bank of England raises UK interest rates to 5.25%

The UK's interest rate has been raised to 5.25% by the Bank of England, as it continues to try and bring inflation under control.

The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee increased the rate by 0.25% from 5% - the 14th increase in a row.

It is a 15-year high for the base rate, which was last at this level in April 2008.

Vicky Pryce, Economic Advisory Council member at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

‘Businesses across the UK will be fervently hoping that today’s rise in interest rates is the last they will see.

‘While many firms will have already factored this increase into their plans, it is clear from the recent rise in insolvencies that the economic environment is becoming stacked against smaller firms. They are the ones with less cash reserves in the bank and greater exposure to finance.

‘And there is now a real danger that the economy could be pushed into recession as it takes 18 months for changes in interest rate rises to filter through. With all the cumulative pressure of past rises yet to come, business will be watching closely for any further indications on the Bank’s plans.’

Internet link: Bank of England website BCC website

 

HMRC increases late payment interest rate to 7.5%

HMRC has increased interest rates with late payment bills charged 7.5% from 11 July, the highest rate since 2001.

The move follows the Bank of England's June increase in the base rate with HMRC also increasing the rate paid on repayments of tax.

The Bank increased the base rate to 5% from 4.5% on 22 June, the 13th consecutive rise.

The late payment and repayment interest rates follow this rise and are applied to the main taxes and duties that HMRC currently charges and pays interest.

The late payment interest rate has increased by 0.5% to 7.5% from 11 July.

Late payment interest is payable on late tax bills covering income tax, national insurance contributions (NICs), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), corporation tax pay and file, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax.

Repayment interest was also increased from the current 3.5% rate to 4%. 

Internet link: GOV.UK

CMA scheme will force retailers to publish live fuel prices

A new fuel finder scheme to enable drivers access to live fuel prices and revitalise competition in the retail road fuel market, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The scheme would be made possible by new compulsory open data requirements and backed by a new 'fuel monitor' oversight body.

The proposals are the key recommendations by the CMA to the UK government following its report into the road fuel market.

The report found that between 2019 and 2022, average annual supermarket margins have increased by 6p per litre (PPL).

According to the CMA, greater transparency and shopping around as effectively as possible, the driver of a typical family car could save up to £4.50 a tank within a five-minute drive.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

'We need to reignite competition among fuel retailers and that means two things. It needs to be easier for drivers to compare up to date prices so retailers have to compete harder for their business.

'This is why we are recommending the UK government legislate for a new fuel finder scheme which would make it compulsory for retailers to make their prices available in real time. This would end the need to drive round and look at the prices displayed on the forecourt and would ideally enable live price data on satnavs and map apps.'

Internet link: GOV.UK

Almost a million Child Trust Funds still unclaimed

Almost a million young people have yet to access savings contained in Child Trust Funds (CTFs), according to a report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The PAC said over £1.7 billion is waiting to be claimed by a million young adults, at an average value of £1,900 each.

It says ‘failure in long-term planning’ by HMRC means 42% of eligible 18-20-year-olds have not drawn on their savings.

The PAC says that given CTFs are not reaching many of the people they were designed to help, HMRC should be doing more to find and contact young people who have not claimed their savings.

According to the PAC, many young adults don't know about their savings or have lost track of them. It found that CTF providers are charging fees for passively managing accounts but are not doing enough to link these accounts to their owners.

Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the PAC, said:

'The aims behind CTFs are laudable - for young people to come into a pot of money on reaching 18, with the promotion of financial literacy and good savings habits. But many young people are unaware that they have money waiting to be claimed.

'In an ongoing cost of living crisis, our young people need every bit of support we can give them. HMRC still has time to make sure that CTFs are given the chance to be the boost to young people's futures which they were designed to be.'

Internet link: Parliament website

South Yorkshire named as first UK Investment Zone

South Yorkshire has been named as the UK's first Investment Zone by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

The status could bring £1.2 billion in funding and see up to 8,000 new jobs created in the area, according to the government.

In March, Mr Hunt said 12 new UK Investment Zones would each receive £80 million in government cash. The money could be spent on infrastructure, training and tax relief over seven years.

Beckie Hart, Director for Yorkshire and the Humber at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said:

'This announcement will spur growth and bring other economic benefits in South Yorkshire – and the whole of Yorkshire.

'The government is right to pursue an Investment Zone that builds on the University of Sheffield's world-leading Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, which is recognised globally as a major economic cluster with strong research and innovation capabilities that capitalises on the expertise of the region's universities.

'Our members look forward to benefitting from the Investment Zone to build on South Yorkshire's advanced manufacturing strengths, develop new industries that will create jobs and bring prosperity to the area as we seek to build a net zero economy.'

Internet link: HM Treasury press release CBI website

Tax down on pints but up on wines and spirits in Alcohol Duty overhaul 

The largest overhaul of alcohol duty in 140 years sees drinks taxed by strength rather than category from 1 August.

It also sees the introduction of Small Producer Relief, which aims to help small businesses and start-ups create new drinks, innovate and grow.

There will be lower taxes on lower alcohol products – those below 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) in strength.

The number of main duty rates for alcohol is being reduced from 15 to six, to make it easier for businesses to grow and operate.

According to the government, the duty paid on drinks on tap in pubs will be up to 11p lower than at the supermarket.

However, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) warned that for spirits there will be at least a £1 increase on a bottle of gin or vodka and a bottle of wine will go up by £1 when VAT is included.

Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the WSTA, said:

‘Ultimately, the government’s new duty regime discriminates against premium spirits and wine more than other products.

‘Wine from hotter countries – like new trade deal partner Australia – will be penalised most of all, because the grapes grown in hotter climates naturally produce higher alcohol wines.

‘Nor can the alcohol in full strength spirits be reduced for products such as gin, vodka and whisky where a minimum strength prescribed by law.’

Internet link: HM Treasury press release WSTA website

HMRC gives £1.8 million a year to charities to help excluded taxpayers

The voluntary and community sector will be able to apply for grants from HMRC to support their work with taxpayers who need extra assistance with their tax affairs.

Eligible organisations need to bid for the funding, worth £1.8 million a year from 2024 until 2027, up from the current annual grant of £1.66 million, through HMRC's voluntary and community sector grant funding programme.

Bids can be submitted between 24 July and 21 August 2023, with successful organisations being announced in October, ready for the new funding to start from 1 April 2024.

This is the 12th round of funding HMRC is awarding as 'part of its commitment to help everyone get their tax right'.

The programme has been ongoing for over a decade and previous beneficiaries included Citizens Advice Bureaus, TaxAid, Tax Help for Older People and Gingerbread.

To be eligible for grant funding from HMRC, an organisation must be a registered charity, voluntary and community sector organisation, social enterprise, mutual or a co-operative.

RNIB's Sight Loss Advice Service is one of 12 organisations previously awarded under the grant programme.

Director David Newbold said:

'RNIB is extremely grateful to HMRC for its generous support, ensuring blind and partially sighted people can access the advice, information and practical help they need to deal with their tax affairs and HMRC.'

Internet link: HMRC press release

Newsletter 178

 

July 2023

In this month’s Enews we look at HMRC’s extension to the deadline for voluntary NICs and the temporary closure of the self assessment helpline. We also update you on cost overruns on Making Tax Digital and the latest on UK inflation. With guidance on the National Minimum Wage and another increase to the UK’s base interest rate, there is a lot to update you on.

• HMRC extends deadline for voluntary NICs to April 2025
• HMRC closes self assessment helpline for three months
• MTD expected to cost £1 billion more than originally forecast
• UK inflation stays at 8.7%
• Bank of England raises UK base interest rate to 5%
• More than 200 companies named and shamed for minimum wage breaches
• Post-Brexit trade plan must be replaced with 'ambitious strategy', says think tank
• Industrial strategy required to 'focus on innovation', says IoD

HMRC extends deadline for voluntary NICs to April 2025

HMRC has extended the voluntary national insurance contributions (NICs) deadline until 2025.

Extending the voluntary NICs deadline until 2025 will give people more time to consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them, and also ensures individuals do not miss out on the possibility of boosting their State Pension entitlements.

The original deadline was extended to 31 July 2023 earlier this year. HMRC said the new extension allows thousands more people to add extra years to their national insurance record.

HMRC stated that all relevant voluntary NIC payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in 2022/2023 until 5 April 2025.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

'People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in national insurance records can make a real difference.

'With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost.'

Internet link: HMRC press release

 

HMRC closes self assessment helpline over the summer

HMRC has to closed its self assessment tax helpline over the summer to focus call centre resources on dealing with other problem calls.

All calls to the helpline will be redirected to digital services over the period to give HMRC time to deal with other more urgent phone enquiries.

The helpline will be closed until Monday 4 September.

During this time HMRC said it will 'trial directing self assessment queries from the helpline to the department's digital services, including its online guidance, digital assistant and webchat'.

HMRC will increase the number of advisers available on webchat, the online service helpline and the extra support team helpline.

Angela MacDonald, Deputy CEO and Second Permanent Secretary at HMRC, said:

'We continually review our services to see how they can best serve the public and we are taking steps to improve them.'

We are experienced in self assessment matters and dealing with HMRC. Please contact us if you have any queries.

Internet link: GOV.UK

 

MTD expected to cost £1 billion more than originally forecast

A report published by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative is expected to cost around £1 billion more than its initial £226 million budget, which was forecast in 2016.

MTD is intended to modernise the tax system for income tax self assessment, VAT and corporation tax. It requires taxpayers to keep records digitally and submit quarterly tax returns.

The NAO labelled HMRC's initial timeframe for the implementation of MTD as 'unrealistic'. It stated that bosses 'failed to take the scale of the task into account'.

According to the NAO, HMRC’s ability to secure value for money from MTD now relies on exploring the options for reducing costs, resolving questions about design and rigorously managing delivery risks.

The NAO has recommended that HMRC prepares a separate business case for MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) so that those making decisions can better understand the costs, benefits and risks associated with the initiative. It has urged HMRC to include 'greater clarity' on how taxpayers will be affected.

Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO, said:

'The repeated delays and rephasing of MTD have undermined the programme's credibility and increased its costs. They put at risk the support of taxpayers and delivery partners, including those who are essential to the programme succeeding.

‘HMRC’s plan to digitalise the tax system has the potential to improve the system’s efficiency and effectiveness. It has made some recent progress on VAT but it has not yet tackled the most complex elements of the programme and significant delivery risks remain.’

Internet link: National Audit Office website

UK inflation stays at 8.7%

The UK's rate of inflation plateaued at 8.7% in May, data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown.

Inflation was expected to fall in May but remained at 8.7% – the same rate as was recorded in April. The rate of 8.7% is higher than economists had expected, and many now anticipate a rise in interest rates.

Experts have stated that so-called 'core inflation' – which excludes volatile elements such as food, fuel and energy prices – is now at its highest level in the UK for over 30 years. Many warn that the high inflation rate will have knock-on effects for mortgages.

UK inflation is higher than inflation rates in comparable countries, the data revealed: Germany recorded a rate of inflation of 6.3%; France's rate is currently 6%; and the USA's inflation rate is 2.7%.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said:

'We need to squeeze every last drop of high inflation out of the economy.

'Inflation is the biggest, the most invidious, tax rise the British people are facing right at the moment because it is eroding the value of their salaries – so that is our primary priority.'

Internet link: Office for National Statistics website

Bank of England raises UK base interest rate to 5%

The Bank of England has raised UK interest rates to a 15-year high of 5% as it continues its battle against inflation.

Despite concerns that mortgage-holders face a timebomb of higher rates, the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to raise its benchmark rate from 4.5% to 5%, an increase of half a percentage point.

It is the 13th increase in UK interest rates in a row, going back to December 2021.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said:

'High inflation is a destabilising force eating into pay cheques and slowing growth.

'Core inflation is higher in 14 EU countries and interest rates are rising around the world, but the lesson from other countries is that if you stick to your guns, you bring inflation down.

'Our resolve to do this is watertight because it is the only long-term way to relieve pressure on families with mortgages. If we don't act now, it will be worse later.'

Internet link: Bank of England website

 

More than 200 companies named and shamed for minimum wage breaches

Over 200 employers have been named by the government for failing to pay their lowest paid employees the minimum wage.

The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies named and shamed range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders.

The businesses named have since paid back what they owe to their employees and have also been given financial penalties.

The employers named previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

• 39% of employers deducted pay from workers' wages
• 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time
• 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake, said:

'Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

'Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we're sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you'll face the consequences.'

Internet link: GOV.UK

Post-Brexit trade plan must be replaced with 'ambitious strategy', says think tank

The Resolution Foundation think tank has called for the government to replace the initial post-Brexit trade plan with a 'far more ambitious' strategy to help protect Britain's manufacturing firms and seek new markets for UK services firms.

A report published by the Foundation found that the UK's initial post-Brexit trade plan to secure Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other countries had 'been largely successful'.

However, it suggested that this approach has 'run out of road' as FTAs with the US and China 'are not on the horizon'. According to the think tank, Britain's high value manufacturing sector is 'particularly vulnerable' following the UK's exit from the EU as it often relies on being part of European supply chains.

It warned that manufacturing firms' positions in these chains will erode over time as a result of higher trade costs.

The Resolution Foundation said that a new 'twin-track' trade strategy is needed, with a defensive focus on goods and a fresh approach to promoting the UK's strengths as the world's second largest exporter of services.

Sophie Hale, Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said:

'For the first time in half a century Britain needs a trade strategy. But it does not have one.

'A new strategy must recognise the nature of the UK economy, developments in global trade patterns, and rising geopolitical tensions regarding goods trade in particular. That requires a twin-track approach, protecting important high value manufacturing sectors, from cars to chemicals, struggling to retain their place in European supply chains, while focusing on new markets for its world-leading services firms.'

Internet link: Resolution Foundation website

Industrial strategy required to 'focus on innovation', says IoD

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has urged the government to create an industrial strategy to help 'define specific long-term priorities for the UK economy'.

A survey carried out by the IoD revealed that 88% of its members favour the development of an industrial strategy. Less than 10% of IoD members think economic growth should be generated by market forces.

The survey found that firms want an industrial strategy that focuses on reinforcing the UK's capabilities as a centre of excellence for Research and Development (R&D) and green investment.

The survey found that 58% of firms believed that the strategy should also focus on the development of skills, and 57% would like it to champion developing infrastructure.

Dr Roger Barker, Director of Policy at the IoD, said:

'The recent priority for UK government policy has been on regaining economic and financial stability, and in laying the groundwork for the return of economic growth.

'However, this is not enough to sustain the competitiveness of UK business. Business leaders clearly see the value of a longer-term policy framework which places innovation at its core, and which enables innovations to be commercially exploited in the UK.

'Experience suggests that UK policymakers are ill-suited to 'picking winners', either in terms of companies or sectors.'

Internet link: IoD website