On 30th October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her first budget to parliament. This was a budget intended to restore stability to our economy and to begin a decade of national renewal. Investment will be funded by revised debt rules to facilitate additional borrowing and a hefty £40 billion of tax rises.
Headlines included:
- Immediate increases to capital gains tax rates with further uplifts in relation to some business disposals from both April 2025 and April 2026.
- Immediate increases to Stamp Duty Land Tax, including for those buying residential property when they already own at least one dwelling.
- Confirmation that 20% VAT will apply to private school fees for the school term beginning in January 2025.
- Increased costs for many employers from April 2025 through both increases to the national minimum wage and significant reforms to employers’ national insurance contributions.
- Another change in approach for businesses utilising double-cab pick up vehicles, coming into effect in April 2025.
- Plans to restrict inheritance tax agricultural and business property reliefs from April 2026.
- Plans to include an individual’s undrawn pension fund in their inheritance tax estate from April 2027.
Click here to down LWA's 2024 Autumn Budget summary PDF for the full details on how the Budget affects individuals and businesses in varying scenarios.