UK Budget 2024: Deep dive with two of the UK's top finance experts
Nov 1, 2024
auto_awesome
Join Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times, as they dissect the intricacies of the UK Budget 2024. They discuss the impacts of recent tax hikes and spending changes on individuals and businesses. Topics include challenges for first-time home buyers due to stamp duty changes, the complexities of pension reforms, and the pressing need for comprehensive tax reforms. The duo also critiques the balance between economic growth and green investments amid rising public service demands.
The recent UK Budget introduced significant tax hikes, impacting public finances and creating lasting economic implications for businesses and citizens.
Rising employer National Insurance contributions are expected to strain the labor market, potentially leading to hiring freezes and slowed wage growth for workers.
Reforms in stamp duty are criticized for increasing housing transaction costs, which could exacerbate issues for non-homeowners and renters in the market.
Deep dives
Outsourcing Compliance for Efficiency
Outsourcing time-consuming administrative tasks is beneficial for both personal and business management. Compliance with regulations such as GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 is crucial for businesses to secure deals, even though it may not directly contribute to their core business goals. Vanta automates a significant portion of security compliance, reducing the time and cost required to achieve audit readiness from months to weeks. This allows businesses to focus on their primary operations while ensuring they meet necessary compliance standards.
The Thrills and Challenges of Budget Week
Budget Week is described as an exhilarating period for financial journalists, filled with uncertainty and excitement as they prepare to report on major governmental financial plans. The recent budget presented substantial tax hikes and high government spending, which are still having lasting impacts on the economic landscape. Journalists must quickly sift through complex documents to report key information that matters to citizens and businesses alike. This particular budget has generated significant discussion regarding its extensive implications for public finances and taxation.
The Impact of National Insurance Contributions
The rise in employers' National Insurance contributions is poised to significantly affect the labor market, primarily impacting employers and indirectly workers. With an increase from 13.8% to 15% and a decreased threshold for contributions, employers will have to navigate rising costs, potentially resulting in hiring freezes or layoffs. Many industry experts express concern that the increased labor costs may slow wage growth for workers, particularly in the private sector. This shift might also drive companies toward utilizing more temporary or contracted labor and could hasten the adoption of automation to mitigate costs.
Projected Effects of Tax Changes
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts suggest that rising employer National Insurance contributions will mostly be passed onto employees, translating to lower take-home pay. The current budget indicates that this Parliament may witness the smallest increase in household incomes in history, exacerbating concerns regarding public finances. When businesses face increased taxation, they must find ways to offset these costs, leading to potential layoffs or adjustments in wage structures. Balancing the burden of taxation on businesses while ensuring adequate funding for public services presents ongoing challenges for government policymakers.
Challenges with Stamp Duty Reforms
Recent reforms in stamp duty have been met with criticism, as they are expected to hinder the housing market by making transactions more expensive. Reintroducing certain stamp duty exemptions and penalties on additional properties may lead to fewer available homes on the rental market, thereby increasing rental prices. This change highlights a broader trend where policymakers often overlook the negative implications for non-homeowners and renters. Critics argue that such tax systems should be more equitable and designed to promote housing access rather than discourage mobility within the market.
Future Outlook on Public Spending and Growth
The budget outlines intentions to increase public spending, particularly in health and education, which are perceived as necessary to rebuild essential services. However, there are concerns that without substantial reform in tax and public financing strategies, this spending won't translate to meaningful improvements in citizens' lives. Experts suggest a balance is needed between immediate funding increases and long-term strategies aimed at ensuring sustainable growth. The real test will be whether the government can maintain investments in public services while fostering an environment for future economic growth.
In this session we streamed live. I break down the Budget with Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times.
🤝 Want help from a financial advisor?
We’ve teamed up with advisors we like so you can get 1:1 support from a professional. Learn more:
If you purchase a product or service using one of the links above, we may receive a commission. There will be no additional charge for you. Remember investments can fall and rise - and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Other fees may apply. Your money is at risk.
This is not financial advice. The reason it’s not financial advice is because it’s not tailored to you. We explain the principles of building wealth but if you want personalised advice, it’s worth speaking to a financial advisor. As with everything financial, please do your own research. We really encourage that because no one cares more about your money than you and if you learn the basics then it will change your life.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode