News reported last week said that the Chancellor has put together draft plans for spending cuts to welfare and other government departments.At the time of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that there was a £9.9 billion buffer available against the Chancellor’s own self-imposed borrowing rules.
According to consultancy Cornwall Insight, domestic energy prices are predicted to drop in April with analysts predicting that there could be a further fall in the summer. This is good news all round, as energy prices have been a significant factor in the UK’s high inflation rate. A drop in energy prices could lead to a drop in interest rates, and with it a more positive outlook in the economy.
The government’s promised new Fair Payments Code was launched last month to try and tackle late payment problems that can be particularly harmful to small businesses.
The government has unveiled some significant reforms to employment support, underpinned by a £240 million investment. The measures aim to address deep-rooted issues of unemployment, economic inactivity, and barriers to work, as detailed in the recently published Get Britain Working White Paper.
From 1 April 2025, the rate for Employers National Insurance (NI) will increase from 13.8% to 15%. At the same time, the level at which employers start paying national insurance on each employee’s salary will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000. The combination of these two changes means a potentially significant increase in payroll costs for businesses.