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.

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Global Markets News : China US and Europe Pot Kettle Black

Protecting one’s own market seems to lead to calling out others for your own crimes!

China’s Overcapacity and Deflation:

  • Issue: China possesses significant excess production capacity in certain industries like steel, aluminum, and solar panels. This overcapacity can lead to downward pressure on prices, potentially causing “deflationary exports” if Chinese companies sell goods below cost in international markets.
  • Arguments:
    • Proponents:
      • Overcapacity puts excessive pressure on global prices, hurting competitors and hindering fair trade.
      • Deflationary exports harm other economies, especially developing nations, undermining domestic industries.
      • China’s government subsidies exacerbate the problem, giving Chinese companies an unfair advantage.
    • Opponents:
      • Excess capacity isn’t unique to China; other countries face similar challenges in different sectors.
      • Global market forces, not just China, drive price fluctuations.
      • Accusations of “dumping” often lack concrete evidence, and Chinese prices might reflect lower production costs.

Impact on Western Markets:

  • Concerns: Deflationary Chinese exports could dampen inflation in Western economies, potentially hindering recovery from economic downturns.
  • Policies:
    • Inflation Reduction Act (US): Aims to boost domestic green energy production, potentially incentivising US companies over foreign competitors.
    • Green Deals (Europe): Similar focus on domestic green industries, raising concerns about protectionism.
  • Arguments:
    • Proponents: These policies incentivise domestic innovation and job creation, contributing to long-term economic stability.
    • Opponents: Such policies could restrict fair trade and hinder global efforts towards sustainability.

Comparison with Southeast Asia:

  • Southeast Asian nations: Facing challenges in exporting to Western markets due to factors like infrastructure limitations, trade barriers, and differing regulatory environments.
  • Arguments:
    • Proponents: Western policies favouring domestic green industries create an uneven playing field, disadvantageing Southeast Asian producers.
    • Opponents: Southeast Asian nations also need to focus on internal reforms to improve competitiveness and meet Western standards.

Key Considerations:

  • The issue is complex, with valid arguments on both sides.
  • Addressing overcapacity requires multifaceted solutions, including market-based reforms, industrial restructuring, and international cooperation.
  • Trade policies should balance legitimate concerns about unfair competition with the need for open and fair global markets.
  • Collaboration between all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society, is crucial for developing sustainable and equitable trade practices.

Additional Points:

  • The situation is dynamic, with ongoing efforts to address overcapacity and deflationary concerns in China.
  • The impact of Western policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Green Deals is yet to be fully realised.
  • Continuous dialogue and policy adjustments are necessary to ensure a balanced and mutually beneficial global trade environment.

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The Deflationary Dance: China’s Overcapacity, Western Subsidies, and the Global Market Tug-of-War

China’s economic rise has been accompanied by a shadow: concerns about its industrial overcapacity and its potential to exacerbate global deflation through “dumping” cheap goods in international markets. This narrative often paints China as the sole culprit, ignoring similar practices and policies employed by Western nations, particularly the United States and Europe, that can also distort the global market and limit opportunities for developing economies. This article delves into the complex interplay of these factors, examining the arguments for and against China’s alleged deflationary threat and exploring the parallel policies in the West that create similar challenges for developing countries.

The Overcapacity Argument:

China’s rapid economic growth in recent decades has led to significant investment in various industries, particularly heavy industries like steel, shipbuilding, and aluminum. This investment boom resulted in substantial overcapacity, where production exceeds demand. Critics argue that excess production leads to price drops, as Chinese companies compete on price rather than quality, flooding global markets with unfairly cheap goods. This, they claim, can harm domestic industries in other countries, hindering their growth and competitiveness.

The “Dumping” Debate:

The accusation of “dumping” refers to selling goods below their cost of production in foreign markets. While China has faced anti-dumping investigations in the past, the evidence for systematic dumping is contested. Some argue that Chinese companies are simply more efficient and have lower production costs due to factors like economies of scale and government subsidies. Others point out that anti-dumping measures often protect inefficient domestic industries in developed countries, rather than promoting fair competition.

Beyond the Chinese Factor:

The narrative of China as the sole culprit conveniently overlooks similar practices and policies in the West. The United States, for example, has implemented the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides significant subsidies for domestic clean energy production. This policy, while aimed at reducing carbon emissions, also disadvantages foreign competitors, particularly those in developing countries with comparable clean energy technologies.

Similarly, the European Union’s Green Deal, which incentivises the transition to a more sustainable economy, can create barriers for developing economies that lack the resources to comply with its strict environmental regulations. These protectionist measures limit market access for developing countries, hindering their potential to export and participate in the global green economy.

The Global Market Tug-of-War:

The accusations against China’s overcapacity and “dumping” often ignore the broader context of globalised trade and competition. The global market is a complex web of interconnected economies, where each player seeks to maximise its own advantage. While China’s overcapacity may pose challenges, it is not the only factor contributing to global deflationary pressures.

Furthermore, the focus on China deflects attention from the need for global cooperation and coordinated efforts to address broader issues like overproduction, stagnant wages, and income inequality. These are systemic problems that require solutions beyond simply blaming individual countries or industries.

Moving Beyond the Blame Game:

Instead of engaging in a blame game, the international community should focus on finding constructive solutions that address the underlying issues of overproduction, market distortions, and unequal access to resources. This requires:

  • Transparency and accountability: All countries, including China, the United States, and the European Union, should be transparent about their trade practices and subsidies, and be held accountable for unfair trade practices.
  • Multilateral cooperation: International organisations like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) need to be strengthened to facilitate fair and open trade, while also addressing concerns about dumping and trade distortions.
  • Focus on sustainable development: Global efforts should focus on promoting sustainable development practices that create a level playing field for all countries, regardless of their stage of development. This includes investing in clean energy technologies, promoting innovation, and ensuring equitable access to resources.

Conclusion:

The issue of China’s overcapacity and its potential impact on global deflation is complex and multifaceted. While concerns about unfair trade practices are legitimate, it is crucial to avoid simplistic narratives that scapegoat individual countries. Instead, a more nuanced understanding is needed, acknowledging the role of similar policies in the West and focusing on finding cooperative solutions that benefit all players in the global market. Only through multilateral cooperation and a commitment to sustainable development can we ensure a level playing field for all and create a more prosperous and equitable future for the global economy.

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