A historic budget introduces significant tax increases, including higher National Insurance and Capital Gains Tax. The freeze on Income Tax thresholds will finally end in 2028, while minimum wage rises are on the horizon. Experts also dissect a landmark Court of Appeal ruling that could secure millions in compensation for car finance buyers, exposing shady dealership practices. The discussion highlights the pressing need for transparency in financial dealings and the wider economic impacts on communities navigating these changes.
The recent budget includes a significant £40 billion tax increase, primarily through higher national insurance contributions paid by employers, affecting consumer costs.
A landmark Court of Appeal ruling may lead to billions in compensation for consumers misled by hidden financing fees in car purchases.
Deep dives
Impact of the New Budget on Taxation
The recent budget introduced significant tax increases totaling approximately £40 billion a year by 2029-30, with a primary focus on raising national insurance contributions paid by employers. This change may affect consumers indirectly through increased costs to businesses that could be passed on to customers. Additionally, adjustments were made to capital gains tax, VAT on private school fees, and inheritance tax, with a key point being the extension of a freeze on inheritance tax thresholds until 2030. Although no direct increases in income tax rates were announced, the freeze on personal tax allowances will continue until 2028, raising concerns that many more individuals will be caught in the tax net over the coming years.
Benefits for Carers
New measures have been introduced to raise the earning limit for individuals receiving carer's allowance, allowing them to earn £196 per week without losing benefits, which equates to about 16 hours of work at the new minimum wage. This change aims to alleviate financial burdens for caregivers, enabling them to work more hours and earn extra income while providing care for loved ones. The feedback from caregivers indicates that this update is a significant positive shift, reducing stress over income and enabling better financial planning. However, concerns remain regarding a potential 'cliff edge' effect, where caregivers could lose their entire benefit by earning just a penny over the limit.
Court Ruling on Car Financing
A landmark ruling from the Court of Appeal determined that secret commission deals between car dealers and lenders violate fiduciary duties, potentially leading to billions in compensation for consumers unaware of these arrangements. The case highlighted that individuals often believe that car dealerships profit solely from the vehicle's sale price, unaware of hidden costs associated with financing. Following this ruling, major lenders have either paused commission payments or restructured their agreements to ensure transparency. This decision could reshape the car finance industry, prompting dealerships to modify practices that previously prioritized their profit over consumer interests.
Wednesday saw the first Budget from a Labour government for nearly 15 years and the first ever delivered by a female Chancellor. Rachel Reeves wasn't the first to stand up in the Commons and announce tax rises, but the scale of them was large by historical standards - about £40bn a year by 2029/30.
The bulk of that will come from raising National Insurance contributions paid by employers. There will also be higher rates of Capital Gains Tax, VAT on private school fees, changes to Inheritance Tax and a rise in stamp duty in England and Northern Ireland.
As promised, there was no rise in the rates of Income Tax, VAT or National Insurance in what the government called the payslips of working people. There was some welcome news as the freeze on Income Tax thresholds will end in April 2028, minimum wages will rise, and the tax on petrol and diesel will not. Paul Lewis discusses the details with a panel of experts.
And, could a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal pave the way for millions of pounds of compensation for people who bought their cars on finance?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Sarah Rogers and Neil Morrow
Researchers: Emma Smith and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday November 2nd 2024)
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