UK Budget 2017

Returnships are a win-win for women and business
Emma Codd, Managing Partner for Talent at Deloitte, said: “This is a win-win for women and business. Return-to-work programmes unlock the potential of women with great industry experience, but who have been out of the workplace for a number of years...

Cash alone can’t relieve the pressures on social care
Action at the frontline where an elderly patient comes into A&E is clearly a sensible way forward. A green paper later this year could go some way to facing up to the pressures that exponential growth of the over 75s is putting on health services.

Government consults on living accommodation provided to employees as a benefit
Mark Groom comments on the consultation announced to bring the tax treatment of living accommodation provided to employees up to date.

£300m business rate hardship fund
Gerry Biddle, assistant director at Deloitte Real Estate, comments on the Spring Budget.

Business rate relief for English pubs
Approximately 25,000 English pubs will benefit from the Chancellor’s announcement of a £1,000 off their business rates bill.

Some relief for motor insurance consumers as IPT stays the same
Average motor insurance premiums increased by 16%* in the last two years.

Tax relief for employees’ expenses claims
The announcement hints that HMRC may be concerned by expenses which are not reimbursed by their employers. In such cases, employees have to claim relief directly from HMRC under self-assessment.

Skills investment critical to preparing UK’s future workforce
David Sproul, Senior Partner and Chief Executive of Deloitte, comments on innovation and skills in the Budget.

Chancellor gives high five to UK 5G
Dan Adams, lead UK partner for telecommunications at Deloitte, comments: “The commitment to invest £16m in a 5G hub will be welcome news for the telecommunications industry and will help provide the building blocks for the UK to be 5G ready."

Good outlook for growth but heavy lifting on austerity still ahead
Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, comments on today’s Budget.

Low level of tax changes in Spring Budget to be applauded
Bill Dodwell, head of tax policy at Deloitte, applauded the low level of tax changes in the Spring Budget.

Employed vs self-employed – Income tax and NIC gap narrows
Mark Groom and Bill Dodwell comment.

Chancellor commits to raising personal allowances to £12,500 by 2020/21, but does not give 2018/19 details
The rates and allowances from 2017/18 were announced at the Autumn Statement, giving a personal allowance of £11,500 and a basic rate band of £33,500 (so a higher rate threshold of £45,000) for 2017/18 for those living outside Scotland.

Chancellor rings the changes on VAT
The Chancellor has announced the introduction of UK VAT on roaming telecoms services used and enjoyed outside the EU, raising £65 million in a full year.

Childcare benefits
Mark Groom, tax partner at Deloitte, comments on the Chancellor’s doubling of Childcare Benefits.

Chancellor closes in on the self-employed and employed dividend tax gap
Patricia Mock, tax director at Deloitte, comments on the Spring Budget.

Making Tax Digital – today’s changes likely to make introduction easier
The Government today announced the implementation timetable for the Making Tax Digital Project.

Deloitte's preview of Spring Budget 2017
Deloitte’s team of tax experts, its chief economist, head of infrastructure and public sector team consider key potential announcements, the economic outlook and the state of public finances ahead of the Spring Budget.

Deloitte comments on HMRC’s response to Making Tax Digital consultation
HMRC has issued a number of documents in response to the Making Tax Digital consultation.