The Chancellor’s Spring Statement, scheduled for 26 March 2025, is expected to focus on navigating the challenges of public finances, economic growth, and household pressures.

Economic Context

The UK economy is forecast to grow by 2% in 2025, though inflation is projected to remain above the Bank of England's 2% target for several more years. This economic backdrop follows significant tax increases announced in the October 2024 Budget, where £40 billion in measures were introduced, including raising employers' National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% for salaries above £5,000. These policies have triggered concerns across businesses and households, compounding challenges for an economy still recovering from previous shocks.

Taxation and Public Finances

Despite the £40 billion in tax hikes, a £22 billion deficit in public finances has been identified, suggesting further fiscal measures may be necessary. Economists anticipate additional increases in capital gains and inheritance taxes as the government seeks to address this shortfall. Meanwhile, the rise in employers' National Insurance contributions has created significant burdens on businesses, particularly in labour-intensive industries like retail and hospitality, raising concerns about job losses and reduced investment.

Business Challenges

Business confidence has dipped to its lowest level in two years, with many companies reducing staff due to rising employment costs. December 2024 saw the fastest rate of job cuts in four years, highlighting the strain on businesses. The government may need to consider targeted support for struggling sectors to counteract the impact of its tax policies and foster stability.

Household Finances

Households are bracing for rising costs in 2025, with food prices expected to increase by up to 4.9%, energy bills climbing, and mortgage payments potentially rising if there are further interest rate hikes. Stamp duty thresholds are set to drop in April, increasing costs for property buyers, and rail fares are expected to rise by 4.6% from March. These pressures will likely lead to calls for government intervention to support families.

Potential Policy Adjustments

The Chancellor could use the Spring Statement to refine some of the policies introduced in the Autumn Budget. Possible measures include adjustments to the National Insurance increase, which has proven particularly controversial. Additionally, there may be new proposals targeting Inheritance and Capital Gains taxes to help bridge the fiscal deficit. Support for businesses, such as reliefs or incentives, might also feature to counteract declining confidence and rising unemployment. For households, the government could announce measures to ease financial pressures, such as subsidies for energy bills or targeted support for low-income families.

Conclusion

The Spring Statement presents an opportunity for the Chancellor to balance fiscal discipline with much-needed support for businesses and households. As stakeholders across sectors await the announcements, the government’s response will be crucial in shaping the UK’s economic outlook.

The average number of touchpoints needed to secure a sale, or appointment generally falls between 7 and 12. However, this varies by industry, target audience, and product or service type. Here’s why multiple touchpoints are necessary and how they work:

Why Multiple Touchpoints Are Necessary

• Building Trust: Buyers need to trust the seller, and trust develops over time through consistent and meaningful engagement.
• Cutting Through Noise: Prospects are inundated with marketing messages, so repeated interactions ensure your message stands out.
• Guiding the Buyer’s Journey: Buyers often move through awareness, consideration, and decision stages before committing. Multiple touchpoints help guide them.
• Relevance and Customisation: Frequent contact allows you to refine your messaging and address specific concerns, making your offering more appealing.

Typical Sales Touchpoints

• Awareness Stage: Social media ads, blog visits, email newsletters, or website engagement.
• Engagement Stage: Personalised LinkedIn messages, phone calls, or direct email outreach.
• Consideration Stage: Webinars, product demonstrations, or sharing case studies and testimonials.
• Decision Stage: Proposal discussions, follow-up calls to address objections, or in-person meetings to finalise details.

Factors Affecting the Number of Touchpoints

• Industry: B2B sales or high-ticket items typically need more interactions (10–15+), while consumer sales might only require 3–5 touchpoints.
• Lead Type: Warm leads, such as referrals, may convert faster, while cold leads from unsolicited outreach require more nurturing.
• Approach: A strategic follow-up plan can reduce the number of touchpoints needed by effectively addressing concerns early on.
• Communication Channels: Some channels, like personalised phone calls or in-person meetings, can fast-track trust and reduce unnecessary follow-ups.

Strategies to Reduce Touchpoints

• Personalisation: Craft messages tailored to the prospect’s specific needs to make each interaction more impactful.
• Multi-Channel Outreach: Engage prospects across email, phone, social media, and in-person to reach them in their preferred way.
• Pre-Qualification: Focus on well-targeted leads to reduce wasted efforts and ensure efficient use of touchpoints.
• Automation: Leverage tools to automate routine touchpoints, such as follow-up emails or reminders, while maintaining a personal touch.

Key Takeaway

While the general range is 7–12 touchpoints, prioritising quality over quantity is essential. Strategic, timely, and relevant engagement will always outperform excessive, unfocused interactions.

The economic outlook for the UK in 2025 presents a mixed picture, with expectations of modest growth tempered by persistent inflationary pressures.

Growth Projections

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised its forecast for UK economic growth in 2025 upward to 1.7%, citing increased government spending as a key driver.

This adjustment reflects the UK's resilience amid global economic uncertainties and aligns with its broader strategy to stimulate growth through fiscal policies and structural reforms.

Inflation Concerns

Despite the positive growth outlook, inflation remains a significant concern. The OECD projects that UK inflation will average 2.7% in 2025, the highest among G7 nations. This is attributed to strong wage growth and elevated services inflation, indicating persistent domestic price pressures.

Monetary Policy

In response to these dynamics, the Bank of England (BoE) has begun adjusting its monetary policy. In November 2024, the BoE reduced its interest rate from 5% to 4.75%, marking the second cut since 2020. However, the BoE has signalled that future rate reductions will be gradual, given the rising inflation expectations.

Analysts anticipate that the BoE will continue to lower rates cautiously throughout 2025, potentially reaching 3.75% by year-end.

Fiscal Policy and Public Debt

The UK's fiscal policy is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape. The March 2024 budget introduced measures aimed at stimulating growth, including increased public spending and tax adjustments. However, these initiatives have raised concerns about fiscal sustainability, with public debt projected to rise to 92.8% of GDP in 2025.

The OECD warns that the UK's stretched public finances may limit its capacity to address potential economic shocks in the future.

Labour Market and Business Sentiment

The labour market is expected to experience moderate improvements, with businesses expressing cautious optimism. Surveys indicate that a significant proportion of firms anticipate revenue growth and increased hiring in 2025, supporting the government's efforts to revive economic growth.

However, challenges such as rising national insurance contributions and persistent inflation may temper this optimism.

Conclusion

In summary, the UK's economic outlook for 2025 suggests a period of modest growth accompanied by persistent inflationary pressures. The interplay between fiscal stimulus and monetary policy adjustments will be crucial in navigating these challenges. While increased government spending may bolster economic activity, concerns about inflation and public debt sustainability remain pertinent. Stakeholders, including policymakers and businesses, will need to balance these factors to foster a stable and sustainable economic environment in the coming year.

The UK government has recently addressed the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) report concerning the communication of changes to women's State Pension age. The PHSO identified maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) due to a 28-month delay in informing women born in the 1950s about these changes. In response, the government has acknowledged this finding and issued an apology.

PHSO Investigation Findings

The PHSO's investigation focused on how the DWP communicated these changes, not the policy decisions themselves. The findings were:

• 1995 to 2004: The DWP provided adequate and accurate information through various channels, including leaflets, campaigns, and its website.
• 2005 to 2007: Decision-making during this period led to a 28-month delay in sending personalized letters to affected women, which the PHSO deemed maladministration.
• Impact: While the delay constituted maladministration, the PHSO concluded it did not cause direct financial loss. However, it acknowledged that some women lost opportunities to make informed financial decisions, diminishing their sense of autonomy and control.

Government's Response

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall accepted the finding of maladministration and issued an apology for the delay in communication. She emphasized the government's commitment to learning from this case to prevent similar issues in the future.

Despite acknowledging the communication failures, the government has decided against providing financial compensation. This decision is based on evidence suggesting that unsolicited letters are often ineffective; research indicates that only one in four people recall receiving unexpected letters. Additionally, the government argues that the majority of 1950s-born women were aware of the impending changes, and earlier communication would not have significantly altered this awareness.

The government also considered the financial implications of compensation. Proposals for a flat-rate compensation scheme, with payments ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 per individual, were estimated to cost between £3.5 billion and £10.5 billion. Given the belief that most women were already aware of the changes, the government deemed such expenditure an unjustifiable use of taxpayer funds.

Reactions and Implications

The decision not to offer compensation has been met with criticism from advocacy groups, particularly the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign. They argue that inadequate communication left many women unprepared for the changes, leading to financial hardship. The government's stance has also sparked debate among policymakers and the public about the adequacy of communication strategies and the responsibility of the state in ensuring citizens are well-informed about significant policy changes.

Conclusion

While the government has acknowledged and apologized for the delays in communicating changes to the State Pension age for women born in the 1950s, it has decided against offering financial compensation. This decision is based on evidence suggesting that earlier communication may not have significantly increased awareness and concerns about the proportionality of compensation costs. The situation underscores the importance of effective communication in policy implementation and has prompted discussions about how to better inform the public about significant changes that impact their financial planning and well-being.

From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) will transform tax compliance for businesses, self-employed individuals, and landlords, mandating digital record-keeping and online submissions. Get prepared!

The mandatory signup for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is set to commence from April 2026. MTD for ITSA will fundamentally change the way relevant businesses, the self-employed and landlords interact with HMRC. The regime will require businesses and individuals to register, file, pay and update their information using an online tax account.

The rules will initially apply to businesses, self-employed individuals and landlords with an income of over £50,000 annually. MTD for Income Tax will then be extended to those with an income between £30,000 and £50,000 from 6 April 2027. A new system of penalties for the late filing and late payment of tax for ITSA will also apply.

It was announced as part of the recent Autumn Budget measures that MTD for Income Tax will be extended to sole traders and landlords with income over £20,000 by the end of the current Parliament. The precise timing of this change has yet to be confirmed.

HMRC states that, MTD for Income Tax is a new way of reporting income and expenses if you’re a sole trader or landlord. You’ll need to:

• use software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax;
• keep digital records of your business income and expenses;
• send us quarterly updates; and
• submit a tax return and pay tax due by 31 January the following year.

If you have volunteered to test the MTD for Income Tax service then the new late submission penalties and late payment penalties will apply. If you are looking to volunteer now then you will be required to confirm that you agree that the new penalties will apply to you as part of the sign-up process.

The new penalties apply as following during the testing phase.

Inheritance Tax nil-rate bands remain frozen until April 2030. Learn how this affects estates, the residence nil-rate band, and planning opportunities to maximise tax-free inheritance for loved ones.

The Inheritance Tax (IHT) nil-rate bands have been frozen for a number of years and had been set to remain at current levels until 5 April 2028. As part of the Budget measures, it was confirmed that the rates will remain at the same level for a further 2 years until 5 April 2030.

This means that:

• the nil-rate band will continue at £325,000;
• residence nil-rate band will continue at £175,000; and
• residence nil-rate band taper will continue to start at £2 million.

The residence nil rate band (RNRB) is a transferable allowance for married couples and civil partners (per person) when their main residence is passed down to a direct descendent such as children or grandchildren after their death. The allowance is available to the deceased person’s children or grandchildren.

Any unused portion of the RNRB can be transferred to a surviving spouse or partner. The RNRB is on top of the £325,000 nil-rate band. The allowance is available to the deceased person's children or grandchildren. Taken together with the current IHT limit of £325,000 this means that married couples and civil partners can pass on property worth up to £1 million (£325,000 x 2 plus £175,000 x 2) free of IHT to their direct descendants.

The transfer does not happen automatically and must be claimed from HMRC when the second spouse or civil partner dies. This is usually done by the executor making a claim to transfer the unused RNRB from the estate of the spouse or civil partner that died first.

There is a tapering of the RNRB for estates worth more than £2 million even where the family home is left to direct descendants. The additional threshold will be reduced by £1 for every £2 that the estate is worth more than the £2 million taper threshold. This can result in the full amount of the RNRB being tapered away.

Advisory fuel rates for company cars help employers and employees manage fuel costs without triggering tax liabilities. Learn how to use these rates to avoid tax, especially car fuel benefit charges.

HMRC's fuel rates also known as advisory fuel rates are intended to reflect average fuel costs and are updated quarterly. These rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The rates can be used either by employers who reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars or where employees are required to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.

HMRC will accept that there is no taxable profit and no Class 1A National Insurance on reimbursed travel expenses where employers pay a rate per mile for business travel no higher than the published advisory fuel rates.

Employees can also use the advisory fuel rates to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel. This is the easiest way to ensure that no fuel benefit charge (for private journeys in a company car) is payable. However, the fuel benefit charge will still be payable if it cannot be demonstrated to HMRC that the driver of the car has paid for all fuel used for private journeys, this includes commuting to and from work. To ensure that this does not occur employees will need to keep a log of private mileage.

Ensure compliance with HMRC rules when providing company cars. From P46(Car) submissions to benefit reporting, learn what steps to take for private use and specific exemptions.

Here are the steps you need to follow to inform HMRC if you make any cars available for private use by company directors or employees. Private use of a car includes employees’ journeys between home and work, unless they are traveling to a temporary work location.

You must submit a P46 (Car) form to HMRC if you:

• Provide company cars to employees
• Stop providing a company car
• Provide an additional car to someone

You can submit the form in the following ways:

• Complete it online and send a printed copy to the address listed on the form.
• Use HMRC’s PAYE Online service for employers.
• Use your payroll software.

Additionally, you must report the car benefit on your end-of-year forms and pay Class 1A National Insurance on its value. You must also notify HMRC if a company car is replaced.

You do not need to notify HMRC if you provide:

• 'Pool' cars, which are used by multiple employees for business purposes and usually kept on your premises.
• Cars adapted for employees with disabilities, if the only private use is for commuting.
• Emergency vehicles used exclusively by on-call employees in police, fire and rescue, ambulance, or paramedic services.

Capital Gains Tax rates have increased for disposals from 30 October 2024, with further changes ahead. Stay informed on the updated rates for assets, property, and reliefs to optimise your tax planning.

We would like to remind our readers of the updated Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates that apply to gains realised on or after 30 October 2024. The main CGT rates for assets other than residential property and carried interest has increased to 18% (from 10%) for Income Tax basic rate payers, and to 24% (from 20%) for Income Tax higher rate payers.

For trustees and personal representatives, the CGT rate will has also increased to 24% (from 20%) for disposals made on or after 30 October 2024. The CGT rates for residential property disposals (18% and 24%) remain unchanged.

The CGT rate for Business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors’ Relief will increase from 10% to 14% for disposals made on or after 6 April 2025. A further increase to 18% will apply for disposals made on or after 6 April 2026. The lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief remains unchanged at £1 million, but the lifetime limit for Investors’ Relief will be reduced from £10 million to £1 million for qualifying disposals made on or after 30 October 2024. Special provisions apply to certain contracts entered into before 30 October 2024.

Additionally, the normal and higher rates of CGT on carried interest (currently 18% and 28%, respectively) will rise to a single unified rate of 32% from 6 April 2025. From April 2026, carried interest will be subject to a broader package of policy changes, which will be announced at a later date.

The cash basis is now the default for self-employed income reporting. Learn about the key updates, opt-out options, and how this simplified method can ease your self-assessment obligations with HMRC.

The cash basis is used by sole traders and other unincorporated businesses to determine their income and expenses for self-assessment. This simplified method can ease record-keeping and income reporting to HMRC, whilst still providing a suitable measure of profits for many businesses.

Since 6 April 2024, the cash basis has become the default method for calculating income and expenses for self-employed individuals and partnerships when filing their Income Tax self-assessment return.

Businesses that prefer traditional accruals accounting or who are ineligible for the cash basis, must opt out of the cash basis when submitting their self-assessment return. The first return requiring this decision will be the 2024-25 return, due by 31 January 2026.

There have also been a number of other changes to the cash basis that took effect for the current 2024-25 tax year. This includes the following:

• The removal of the turnover thresholds for businesses to use the cash basis.
• The removal of the restrictions on using relief for losses made in the cash basis, aligning the rules with accruals.
• Interest restrictions have been removed so both cash basis and accruals accounting are subject to the same tax rules.
• People with more than one business will be able to choose whether they use the cash basis or accruals accounting for each business they have, rather than having to pick one method for all their businesses.

The cash basis is not available to limited companies and limited liability partnerships.

1 February 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 30 April 2024.

19 February 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 February 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 February 2025)

19 February 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 February 2025.

19 February 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 February 2025 is payable by today.

1 March 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 May 2024.

2 March 2025 – Self-Assessment tax for 2023-24 paid after this date will incur a 5% surcharge unless liabilities are cleared by 1 April 2025, or an agreement has been reached with HMRC under their time to pay facility by the same date.

19 March 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 March 2025 (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 March 2025).

19 March 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 March 2025.

19 March 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 March 2025 is payable by today.

Navigating VAT in the construction industry can feel like untangling scaffolding. Enter the VAT reverse charge—special rules that mean sub-contractors no longer charge VAT on services but contractors handle the tax instead. Here's how it works and who it affects.

There are special VAT reverse charge rules that can apply to certain construction businesses. When these rules apply, the supply of most construction services between construction or building businesses is subject to the domestic reverse charge. The reverse charge only applies to supplies of specified construction services to other businesses in the construction sector.

The charge applies to standard and reduced rate VAT services:

• for businesses who are registered for VAT in the UK; and that are
• reported within the Construction Industry Scheme.

This means that where the rules apply, sub-contractors no longer add VAT to their supplies to most building customers, instead, contractors are obliged to pay the deemed output VAT on behalf of their registered sub-contractor suppliers. However, the deemed output tax is also available as a deduction from VAT paid if it qualifies as input VAT according to the usual rules. In which case there is no cash flow penalty for contractors. 

The VAT domestic reverse charge applies to the following services:

• constructing, altering, repairing, extending, demolishing or dismantling buildings or structures (whether permanent or not), including offshore installation services;
• constructing, altering, repairing, extending, demolishing of any works forming, or planned to form, part of the land, including (in particular) walls, roadworks, power lines, electronic communications equipment, aircraft runways, railways, inland waterways, docks and harbours, pipelines, reservoirs, water mains, wells, sewers, industrial plant and installations for purposes of land drainage, coast protection or defence;
• installing heating, lighting, air-conditioning, ventilation, power supply, drainage, sanitation, water supply or fire protection systems in any building or structure;
• internal cleaning of buildings and structures, so far as carried out in the course of their construction, alteration, repair, extension or restoration;
• painting or decorating the inside or the external surfaces of any building or structure; and
• services which form an integral part of or are part of the preparation or completion of the services, including site clearance, earth-moving, excavation, tunnelling and boring, laying of foundations, erection of scaffolding, site restoration, landscaping and the provision of roadways and other access works.