The chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced the Autumn Budget on Wednesday. A ‘New economy’ as it was branded to help us get through the winter. We digest the budget and give the main highlights and what it means for you. If you did want to read the full budget, please click here 


National Living Wage

There is a lot to get through and one of the notable changes in the Chancellors budget was the increase in the National Living Wage. We will see an increase in pay to £9.50 per hour for anyone aged 23+ from April 2022. That’s an increase of 6% from the current £8.91 and the pay rise worth extra £1,000 for full time workers.


Social Care Levy

A new health and social care levy is to be introduced on all of us. It is a 1.25% charge on 

National Insurance from April 2022.  The rate also affects Employers National Insurance, and the dividend rates will also change in line with the new social care levy of 1.25%


Employees National insurance will change from 12% to 13.25%

Employers National Insurance will change from 13.8% to 15.05%

Sole traders National Insurance will rise from 9% to 10.25%


Dividend rates as follows:


Lowest rate 8.75% from April 2022

Mid-rate 33.75%

High rate 39.35%


From April 2023 the 1.25% social care levy will show as a separate section of the tax rate system. National Insurance will revert to where it was.


Why is this social care levy coming in?

The funds from the social care levy will be used for care homes and funding for pensioners. This includes several reforms to how people pay for adult social care in England, supported by £5.4 billion of investment over the next three years.


The reforms include:

From October 2023 a cap on personal care costs of £86,000.

The threshold above which somebody is not eligible for local authority support towards their social care costs (upper capital limit) is increasing from £23,250 to £100,000 from October 2023.

The threshold below which somebody does not have to contribute towards their care costs from their capital (lower capital limit) is increasing from £14,250 to £20,000.

If somebody has capital between £20,000 and £100,000 the local authority may fund some of their care, but they may have to contribute up to 20% of their chargeable assets per year (in addition to their income).

Increasing the amount of income that care recipients can retain after contributing towards their care costs (the Minimum Income Guarantee and the Personal Expenses Allowance) in line with inflation from April 2022.


Corporation Tax

From April 2023 changes to corporation tax are coming in place. The reintroduction of the marginal rate system which has been done away with for several years. 


Corporation tax rates for business with:

Profit £50,000 or below – 19% rate

Profit between £50,000 to £250,000 - 25% rate (less marginal relief calculation)

Profit above £250,000 - 25% rate


Super deduction for purchase of equipment and allowance capital allowances will bring tax relief of 130% applies to incorporated (Limited companies, PLC’s) business only and is in place for two years. 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023


The £1 million annual investment allowance is still available to every company including sole traders.


Business Rates

A new one year 50% business rates discount for retail, hospitality, & leisure businesses for England. Wales already have a discount in place until April next year. We will have to see what the Welsh government say in December for the updates of business rates in Wales. 


Small business rates relief still apply.


Universal Credit

Universal Credit taper rate is cut by 8%, as of now for every £1 earned, 63p gets taken off. With the new rate cut, for every £1 earned, 55p will be deducted. Allowing lower paid people to keep hold of more benefit when they are working. The target date for this is 1st December.


Alcohol Duty

The tax on some alcoholic drinks such as beer, cider and wine will be slashed. The drinks with lower-level percentage of alcohol will mean a lower rate of tax. This means that next time you go to the pub and order a pint or on a night out, a glass of prosecco, will be a little bit cheaper.

It doesn’t matter if it is UK produced or imported. Tax relief for small brewers that produce under 8% alcohol. 


The budget brings about optimism boosted by prediction of higher growth for the UK after Covid. The Chancellor hit an upbeat tone as he talks up building a “stronger economy of the future”. Again, if you want the full version of the budget, please click here


Wow!

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has revealed a first look at the new, multi-purpose entertainment venue, Swansea Arena, via a state-of-the-art digital fly-through, and brand-new CGI images.

It is expected to host 160 events and have 230,000 visitors each year.

Click here to find out more

Bridgend Council has revealed designs for a £1.8 million project that it hopes to build in Porthcawl.


The council wants to develop a new building with community facilities and space for shops and start-up businesses at land on Porthcawl seafront, known locally as 'Cosy Corner'.


Click here to find out more

The UK Government announced a new capital allowances relief. From 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim:

  • 130% super-deduction capital allowance on qualifying plant and machinery investments
  • 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets


This super-deduction is designed to promote companies to invest in productivity enhancing plant and machinery. It is important businesses understand and take advantage of these generous new reliefs while they are available.


The super-deduction will allow companies to cut their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest, ensuring the UK capital allowances regime is amongst the world’s most competitive. There is no upper limit set for the expenditure, so as long the expenditure is incurred between 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2023. The enhanced relief also does not allow for plant and machinery that will be made available for leasing (including landlord fixtures within rented property) and excludes cars.

 

The pandemic has been a big blow for a lot of businesses, if you have been looking at equipment to help you grow, now may be the time to use this relief. If you are not sure on whether it is the right time to make a purchase, or if the equipment qualifies for the super-deduction relief, message us on nicola@crossaccountingservice.co.uk or if you would prefer to chat, call Cardiff: 02920 653 995 or Bridgend: 01656 530 063. Our team is always happy to help.

We are seeing a lot of restrictions being eased and it is the closest to normality for a very long time. The bonus of the sunshine is something to make the most out of. While we enjoy ourselves and plan for an entertaining summer, we should not forget about business. We should take steps in to planning on how to bounce back stronger.

 

As the country opens slowly and the opportunity arises to mingle with other business owners, you should make time to try and attend where businesses are likely to be. Nearer the end of 2021, we are likely to see trade fairs taking place, with all businesses on the same boat, getting the business name out there.  

 

If you do not have the budget or time to be a part of the trade show, then you should try and attend as a visitor. It will be a great way to connect and being a visitor will give you the freedom on your timing as you can leave when you feel like you have made the most out of the day. Who knows, you may even bump into some familiar faces, for a long-awaited catchup.

 

Our usual go to for these types of events are The Welsh Business Show, Zokit and Introbiz. Some may have updated dates for the events, some may be posting later. Keep an eye out on social media as we are sure there will be a buzz. Click here to look at what is out there with trade fairs https://10times.com/cardiff-uk/business-consultancy/tradeshows

 

To get your company to achieve the highest levels, you may need a hand by employing staff. This may seem a scary step to take, especially if this will be your first time employing someone. There are many things to consider. Due to the disruption of jobs during the pandemic, the government have introduced a Kickstart scheme. This scheme is to provide funding to create new jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit.

 

It does not matter on the size of your business, everyone can apply. The funding will cover:

·        100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months

·        Associated employer National Insurance contributions

·        Minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions

Further funding is available for training and support so that young people on the scheme can get a job in the future.

 

More info on how to apply, please click here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-kickstart-scheme-grant

 

If you already have staff, and are bringing them back in to work, remember the furlough scheme is flexible and available until 30 September 2021. You will have to contribute for any hours worked by your employees. From 1 July 2021, the level of grant will be reduced, and you will be asked to contribute towards the cost of your furloughed employees’ wages. To be eligible for the grant you must continue to pay your furloughed employees 80% of their wages.

 

 

June 2021

July 2021

August 2021

September 2021

Government contribution

80%

70%

60%

60%

Employer contribution for hours not worked

No

10%

20%

20%

Employee receives for hours not worked

80%

80%

80%

80%

 

You can continue to choose to top up your employees’ wages above the 80% for the hours not worked at your own expense. This is completely up to you and not a requirement.

 

Let us try and finish 2021 strong and push past this pandemic. It has been tough for everyone, but with planning and preparing, we can start looking ahead.

Stamp Duty in Wales

We highlighted the main aspects of last weeks mini budget. If you missed it, click here to find out what the mini budget means for your finance. The Chancellor spoke of Stamp duty and how he intends to support 200,000 home buyers from paying any tax on when they buy a house. In England, no stamp duty is paid currently on first £250,000 and for first time buyers, this is increased to £425,000.


The Welsh government have also followed and raised the threshold on Stamp duty here in Wales. Officially known as Land Transaction Tax, this is paid if you buy a property or land over certain price threshold in Wales.


If you already own one or more residential properties, then there are different rules, and you may need to pay the higher residential rates. However, if you’re replacing your main residence, the higher rates may not apply. 


The new Land Transaction Tax thresholds are to come in on 10th October 2022.


Purchase Price Bands (£)

Percentage Rate (%)

Up to 225,000

0

Above 225,000 and up to 400,000

6

Above 400,000 and up to 750,000

7.5

Above 750,000 and up to 1,500,000

10

Above 1,500,000

12

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Coronavirus – funds, grants, and support

With the latest announcement and ever-changing forms of support, it looks like the Government have given in to the pressure and will continue with the furlough of 80%. The furlough scheme also known as the job retention scheme is to last until March 2021. This is to support businesses with the cost of employees’ wages as it seems likely to be in and out of a ‘firebreak’ lockdown.

 

Coronavirus job retention scheme

This is like the original scheme when it started up back in March. The scheme contributes the wages of people who cannot do their jobs, either because their workplace is closed, or because there is no longer enough work for them.

 

About 10 million jobs have already been claimed for, with an estimated two million people still on furlough at the end of October.

 

The government will pay 80% of salary for any unworked hours, capped up £2,500 per month, with employers responsible to pay pension and National Insurance contribution. If staff are on furlough, they cannot undertake any work for you. Any work done by staff, will then be the responsibility of you paying 100% for hours worked.

 

Rishi Sunak, the chancellor said the furlough extension meant the plans to pay a £1,000 job retention bonus to companies for every furloughed staff member they kept on until the end of January would now be scrapped. 

 

Support for the Self-Employed

Support for the self-employed will also be increased for November to January to a similar level as the furlough scheme. So, the grant will cover 80% of profits up to a total limit of £7,500. Please note that this grant will be treated as income, and tax implications will apply.

 

Applications will be open from 30 November 2020 for those who are eligible and have been affected by coronavirus. The government's original plan was for this third grant to only cover 40% of average monthly trading profits, with a limit of £3,750 in total. This was then updated to cover 55% of trading profits, but just a few days later was extended again to 80%.

 

Economic Resilience Fund 

These packages of support are designed to cover as much of the Welsh Economy as possible and are mainly focused around providing financial support for businesses.

 

There are two types of fund available. You will have to choose the correct one that applies to you.

 

Lockdown Non-Domestic Rate Grant

Grant 1
Business can get a grant of £5,000 for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses that have been forced to close and occupy properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.

 

Grant 2 
A grant of £1,000 is being made available to ALL businesses eligible for small business rates relief in Wales with a rateable value of up to £12,000

• Businesses eligible for small business rates relief that have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more and have been materially impacted (>50% reduction in turnover) up to the 23rd October will be eligible for a further grant of £1,000

•  and a discretionary enhanced £2,000 top-up grant will be made available on an application basis for those businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less who are forced to close by the firebreak lockdown.

You are not eligible for the Lockdown Non-Domestic Rate Grant if, you are eligible for, or have received, the Lockdown Discretionary Grant from your Local Authority.

The second of the fund is the Lockdown Discretionary Grant.

Lockdown Discretionary Grant

Grant amount 1

A discretionary grant of £1,500 is available to assist businesses that have:
•    
Been forced to close as a result of the national firebreak lockdown
•    
OR are able to demonstrate that the national firebreak lockdown will result in at least a 80% reduction in their turnover for that period

Grant amount 2

a discretionary grant of £2,000 is available to assist businesses that have:
•    
Been forced to close as a result of the national firebreak lockdown
•    
OR are able to demonstrate that the national firebreak lockdown will result in at least a 80% reduction in their turnover for that period

AND 

have been subject to local restrictions for 3 weeks or more up to the 23rd October and experienced at least a 50% reduction in their turnover for that period.

You cannot apply for both Grant 1 and Grant 2.
You are not eligible for the Lockdown Discretionary Grant if you are eligible for, or have received, the Lockdown Non-Domestic Rate Grant from your Local Authority, if you have 50 or more employees and If the business generated less than 50% of your income, the business must be your main source of income.

The grant will be open to applications from the timeframe of 28th October to 20th November 2020 or when the fund is fully committed.

The Local Authority will deal with applications on a first come first served basis. This may lead to applications not being appraised after they have been submitted if the fund is fully committed.

The Local Authority aim to process grant within 30 days of receiving the application. If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive an email outlining the reasons for rejection. There unfortunately is no appeal process available if unsuccessful.

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