Tag: Beyond Banking Crisis: How Private Equity’s Grip on UK Finance Threatens Your Business

UK Budget 2024

What is in the UK Budget 2024

UK Budget Announcement Summary

Find out what the latest UK budget means for you and your business.

£25 billion extra costs for UK business taxes and National Insurance contributions from employers from April 2025.

Record increases in public spending and taxes that will produce highest ever tax burden in UK. Allegedly due in part to £22 billion black hole from last government. £40 billion increase in UK taxes – biggest ever in cash terms. Increase in spending is over £70 billion over course of parliament, partly funded by tax increases and most of the rest by extra borrowing (or cutting government spending for some departments in real terms). Despite spending increases forecasts for long term growth being very low -only 1 to 2 percent GDP and a downgrade from where previously forecast to grow in longer term. Bank of England may have to delay possible interest rate cut due to this government borrowing record amounts to inject in short term into the economy without producing any real extra growth in economy long term.

Key Points Of UK Budget 2024

  • Funding for 2 scandals : Infected Blood Scandal (£11.8 billion) and Post Office Horizon Scandal (£1.8 billion).
  • Office for Budget Responsibility OBR says inflation around 2.5% inflation for next couple of years.
  • OBR says UK GDP will be 1.1% in 2024 and 2.0% in 2025. Anything after that is just fairytale story – and not even a good one!
  • Fiscal rules to include Stability Rule: UK will not borrow to fund day to day spending with longer term conditions. Around £26 billion deficit for couple of years.
  • Some government departments will have less money to spend in real terms due to inflation.

Tax

  • Minimum Wage : 6.7% increase in minimum wage. Over-21s to rise from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour from April 2025. Rate for 18-21-year-olds to go up from £8.60 to £10.
  • Carers Allowance to increase, increasing the amount carers can earn before they lose carer’s allowance – can earn up to £10000 a year without losing any of allowance.
  • Increasing protection of people from unfair dismissal
  • Triple Lock Pensions : to be protected – 4.1% increase in pensions over next couple of years.
  • Fuel Duty : Fuel duty to freeze for another year so the 5p cut to fuel duty due to end April 2025 will continue to April 2026.
  • National Insurance : keep National Insurance at same level on personal tax levels.
  • Employers National Insurance : Rate to increase by 1.2 % to 15% and lowered the level at which it becomes payable by employers – from £9100 to £5000.
  • Small Business : increasing employment allowance re Employer’s National Insurance.
  • Inheritance Tax : Inheritance tax threshold freeze extended by further 2 years to 2030. Changes to what is included which will increase tax on some people. Unspent pension pots also subject to the tax from 2027. Exemptions when inheriting farmland to be made less generous thereby increase tax on farming in UK.
  • Capital Gains Tax : increase from 10% to 18% at lower rate and from 20% to 24% at higher rate. Capital gains on residential properties unchanged at 18% and 24% respectively.
  • Tobacco: tax to increase by 2% above inflation and 10% above inflation for hand-rolling tobacco.
  • Vaping : New tax of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid from October 2026.
  • Soft Drinks Duty : to review thresholds for sugar tax on soft drinks and consider extending it to include “milk-based” beverages.
  • Road Tax : From April 2025 electric vehicles will start paying road tax.The amount levied on new EV owners will remain frozen at £10 for their first year “to support the take-up of electric vehicles”. After that point, they will pay a standard yearly amount based on the lowest existing category – currently about £190 – that will increase in line with retail price inflation. Petrol, diesel and hybrid drivers face significant increases.
  • Air Passenger Duty : to increase £2 per person on economy flights. Private Jets duty to increase by 50%.
  • Business Rates : 75% discount on rates till April 2025 will reduce to 40% from April 2025.
  • Alcohol Duty : to rise in line with RPI the higher measure of inflation but cutting draft duty by 1.7% – equivalent of reduction of 1p on pint.
  • Corporation Tax : to stay at 25% until next election. Paid on taxable profits over £250,000.
  • Abolish Non Dom Tax
  • Fund Management :
  • Stamp Duty : increasing tax on second homes from tomorrow from 2% to 5%.
  • Levy on oil and gas industry to increase.
  • VAT to be added to private school fees from April 2025.
  • Income Tax : no extension of threshold freeze on income tax and National Insurance from 2028 which will rise in line with inflation.

Spending

  • Spending to increase by 1.1%
  • Tripling funding in Breakfast Clubs
  • Extra £300 million for Further Education
  • Strategic Defence Review published next year but funding increase in interim.
  • Mayors : increase in funding and increased autonomy on spending.
  • Devolved Nations : some tinkering around the edges on funding.

Investment

  • Public Investment : changing rules to new Investment Rule.
  • Capital Spending : must secure ROI at least as high as on Gilts.
  • Aerospace, Automotive, Life Sciences, Creative industries to receive investment uplift.
  • Broadband to get more funding.
  • Funding for house building including Affordable Housing including local authorities retaining 100% of receipts on council home sales. Social housing providers to be allowed to increase rents above inflation.
  • Money to fund removal of cladding.
  • Transport : increasing investment. Funding for upgrades. HS2 changes to include link to London Euston. Several other new transport projects to begin. Commitment to deliver upgrade to trans-Pennine rail line between York and Manchester running via Leeds and Huddersfield.
  • Potholes : increase investment funding.
  • Bus Cap : £2 cap on single bus fares in England to rise to £3 from January 2025.
  • New Green Projects : extra investment
  • Warm Homes Plan : extra investment
  • Education Buildings : increasing funding by £6.7 billion and increasing budget for school maintenance budget.
  • NHS : increasing funding by £22.6 billion  for day to day spending plus funding for Capital Spending on NHS buildings plant and equipment. Waiting times to be no more than 18 weeks.

Come back for more updates following additional business risk analysis of UK Budget 2024.

Get help to protect and grow your business faster

Find out more

Subscribe to free business risk alerts and risk reviews

Connect with us for free

Read more free business risk management articles

Connect with us for free

 

UK Banking: Leveraged Finance Threat – How to Protect Your Business from the Domino Effect

Beyond Banking Crisis: How Private Equity’s Grip on UK Finance Threatens Your Business

The Leveraged Finance Shadow: How Private Equity Threatens UK Banking Stability

The UK’s banking sector faces a growing threat: the rise of private equity (PE) firms utilising leveraged finance for acquisitions. Traditionally, leveraged finance, provided by banks, has been the cornerstone of PE buyouts. However,recent findings by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) paint a concerning picture.

UK Banks Exposed: A Measurement Gap

The PRA identified a critical gap in risk assessment practices. Several UK banks were unable to accurately measure their exposure to PE giants and the portfolio companies they hold. This lack of transparency poses a significant systemic risk. To address this, the PRA has mandated stress testing of these relationships, requiring banks to comprehensively assess the potential impact of various economic scenarios.

The Challenge for Chief Risk Officers:

Chief Risk Officers (CROs) in UK banks now face a critical challenge. The PRA expects them to “comprehensively identify, measure, combine, and record risks” associated with buyout funds and their portfolio companies. This necessitates a thorough re-evaluation of traditional risk management practices to accurately assess the complex and interconnected web of leverage inherent in PE-backed acquisitions.

Beyond Measurement: The Ripple Effect

The impact goes beyond mere measurement. Here’s how the rise of PE-driven leveraged finance can destabilise the UK banking system:

  • Increased Leverage: PE firms often rely heavily on debt financing through leveraged loans. This can make banks holding these loans vulnerable to economic downturns. A default by a PE-backed company could trigger a domino effect, impacting the entire financial system.
  • Short-Termism vs. Long-Term Stability: PE’s focus on short-term returns can incentivise aggressive financial engineering in acquired companies. This can lead to higher risk profiles and potentially unsustainable debt burdens. Banks holding such loans could face increased risk of default.
  • Transparency Concerns: The complex structures of PE-backed acquisitions can be opaque. Layers of debt and ownership can make it difficult for banks to assess the true underlying risk of their exposure. This lack of transparency hinders effective risk management.

The Broader Impact: Businesses Beyond Banking

The instability in the UK banking sector due to leveraged finance can have a ripple effect on businesses across the economy. Here’s why:

  • Reduced Lending Capacity: Banks under pressure to manage risk from PE-backed deals might become more cautious in traditional lending activities. This could restrict access to credit for businesses outside the PE realm, hindering economic growth.
  • Focus on Fees Over Service: With a focus on maximising returns from PE deals, banks might prioritise high-fee financial instruments over traditional lending services. This can disadvantage businesses looking for affordable credit solutions.
  • Fragile Economic Foundations: Excessive leverage can create a system vulnerable to economic shocks. A financial crisis triggered by defaults in PE-backed acquisitions can negatively impact businesses of all sizes across the UK.

Building Resilience: Mitigating the Risks

While challenges exist, businesses can take steps to mitigate the risks associated with leveraged finance:

  • Diversify Funding Sources: Explore alternative funding options like asset-based financing, peer-to-peer lending,or crowdfunding. This reduces reliance on traditional banks and their leveraged finance practices.
  • Strengthen Financial Management: Build a strong financial foundation for your business by maintaining healthy cash flow, diversifying income streams, and implementing robust budgeting practices. This creates financial resilience, allowing for better negotiation with lenders.
  • Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on developments in the UK banking sector, particularly regarding leveraged finance and PE involvement. Proactive awareness helps anticipate potential challenges and adapt strategies accordingly.

The Need for Proactive Risk Management

The complex landscape of leveraged finance necessitates a proactive approach to risk management for businesses and banks alike. By taking appropriate measures, we can work towards a more stable financial system and foster a healthy economic environment in the UK.

Looking for More Information?

This article provides a high-level overview of the challenges posed by leveraged finance and PE involvement in UK banking. If you’d like to delve deeper into risk management strategies or explore solutions for your business, feel free to contact us. Click here

Get help to protect and grow your business faster

Find out more about Pro Risk Manager 

Subscribe for free business risk alerts and risk reviews

Connect with us 

Read more business risk management articles for free

Connect with us