Aug 07

Latest guidance for employers August 2024

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin. The July issue has information on various topics, including: PAYE Settlement Agreement calculations 2023 to 2024 paying Class 1A National Insurance contributions improving the Self-Serve Time to Pay service for PAYE and VAT customers self assessment threshold change Spotlight 64 – warning for employment agencies […]

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UK’s economic recovery putting down roots

The UK’s economic recovery is finally putting ‘down roots’ after GDP grew faster than expected in May, says the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The UK economy expanded by 0.4% in May, rebounding from zero growth in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The growth figures were helped by a strong performance […]

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HMRC to send Simple Assessment tax statements to pensioners

HMRC will send Simple Assessment tax statements to pensioners in the next few weeks. The combination of frozen tax thresholds and a substantial increase to the state pension has led to many more pensioners being dragged into paying income tax for the first time. The last government froze the personal allowance at £12,570 until 2028. […]

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British Business Bank launches Growth Guarantee Scheme

The British Business Bank has launched the Growth Guarantee Scheme to help smaller businesses access finance. The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme and is expected to support around 11,000 smaller businesses. The British Business Bank has so far accredited 41 lenders for the scheme which will run until March 2026. […]

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UK announces National Wealth Fund

The UK government is planning a National Wealth Fund to stimulate private sector investment backed by £7.3 billion in funding through the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB). Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds have instructed officials to immediately begin work to create the new National Wealth Fund by bringing together the work of the […]

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HMRC launches blog

HMRC launches VAT Registration Estimator

HMRC has launched a digital tool to help businesses estimate what registering for VAT may mean for them. The VAT Registration Estimator helps to show businesses when their turnover could require them to register for VAT and its effect on profits. A business must register for VAT if: Total VAT taxable turnover for the previous 12 […]

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king blog

King’s Speech pledges to secure economic growth

The first King’s Speech since Labour’s victory in the General Election saw the new government pledge that securing economic growth would be its fundamental mission. King Charles III delivered the 2024 King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament and announced plans to accelerate housebuilding and high-quality infrastructure through planning reform. In the Speech, the […]

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chancellor blog

Chancellor takes difficult decisions as Budget date set

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said she was taking difficult decisions after a Treasury spending audit revealed £22 billion of unfunded pledges. Ms Reeves confirmed that the Autumn Budget will take place on 30 October. In a statement to Parliament, the Chancellor made a number of announcements but said there would be more to come […]

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Jul 16

Savers dangerously underestimating minimum cost of retirement

UK savers are dangerously underestimating the minimum amount needed to retire, according to research from pension provider PensionBee. A survey of 1,000 working-age UK adults showed that 23% were unsure of the total pension pot size needed to achieve the retirement income they desire. Pension Bee said that, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s […]

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UK’s investment rates worse than every other G7 country

The UK has the lowest rates of investment of any other country in the G7, according to analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). It found that, compared to the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan, the UK was in last place for business investment in 2022. The IPPR also revealed that […]

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EU trade deal not working for UK business, warns BCC

The UK government must stop ‘walking on eggshells’ around improving EU trade ties, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned. The new government must improve the current EU-UK trade and co-operation deal in order to boost economic growth, adds the BCC. Businesses have criticised the additional red tape and increased costs that Brexit has placed on firms […]

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Average earnings just £16 a week higher than 2010

Real average earnings are just £16 a week higher than they were 14 years ago, according to research conducted by the Resolution Foundation. The think tank said that the UK’s labour market backdrop to the General Election is a prolonged pay squeeze that has left real average wages today just £16 a week higher than in […]

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economy blog

UK economy grew by more than previously estimated during first quarter

The UK economy grew by more than initially estimated at the start of this year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The economy grew by 0.7% between January and March 2024, up from the previous figure of 0.6%. Growth in the UK services sector helped to push it even higher, the ONS […]

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HMRC has not fined a single enabler of offshore tax evasion

HMRC has not fined a single enabler of offshore tax evasion in five years, data released in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed. This is despite HMRC having landmark powers, which were introduced in 2017, to impose hefty fines. The data, which was released to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), suggests […]

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Tax gap

Tax gap at record high

The UK’s tax gap estimate rose to a record to £39.8 billion in 2022/23 as small businesses accounted for almost two thirds of unpaid tax, according to HMRC’s data. The tax gap was 4.8%, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should be paid to HMRC and what is actually paid. The tax […]

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Business ready to work in partnership with Labour government

The UK’s business groups have pledged to work in partnership with the new Labour government to revitalise the nation’s economy. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister after leading the party to a decisive win in the General Election. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:  ‘Congratulations […]

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Jun 10

Advisory fuel rates for company cars June 2024

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 June 2024. 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 […]

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Inflation falls

Inflation falls after UK moves out of recession

The rate of UK inflation fell to 2.3% in the year to April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Inflation is down from 3.2% in March and is the lowest level since September 2021. However, it is still above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The drop was driven by falling gas and […]

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file tax return

300,000 file tax returns in the first week of the tax year

Almost 300,000 self-assessment taxpayers filed their return in the first week of the new tax year, HMRC has revealed. The early filers were almost 10 months ahead of the 31 January 2025 deadline. Almost 70,000 people filed their return on the opening day of 6 April this year. HMRC is encouraging people to file early […]

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Retirees report £119,000 shortfall in pension savings

UK adults face a significant shortfall in their pension savings at retirement compared to what they wanted to retire on, according to research from Standard Life. Standard Life’s Retirement Voice Report found that, on average, retirees had hoped to build up a pension pot of £250,000. However, the average amount that they accumulated by retirement […]

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