2022 Autumn Statement from Jeremy Hunt

Just a few weeks on from Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget that brought about the downfall of Liz Truss, our new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered his 2022 Autumn Statement.  

As we expected, Hunt said that we are now in a recession, but that it’s a “Recession made in Russia and recovery made in Britain.” He also claimed that global factors were the primary reason for the UK’s recession, citing COVID-19 and the furlough scheme as other factors. 

The background 

Hunt says that he has two new fiscal rules that underpin his new economic plans. The first is that underlying debt must be falling as a proportion of GDP at the end of a five-year rolling period, and the second is that sector borrowing over the same period must be below 3% of GDP. 

Hunt also said that he has 3 priorities: stability, growth and public services.  

It is this backdrop, alongside his claims earlier in the week that “everyone is going to pay more tax,” that have shaped the 2022 Autumn Statement.

Personal 

Let’s start with how individuals will be affected personally: 

• The threshold for the 45p top rate of tax has been reduced from £150,000 to £125,140. 
• Tax free allowances on income and national insurance have been frozen until April 2028. 
• The tax-free dividend allowance will be reduced from its current level of £2,000 to £1,000 next April and cut again to £500 in the following year. 
• The annual exempt amount for capital gains tax, which is currently set at £12,300 per individual a year is set to be lowered from next April, first to £6,000 and then to £3,000 in the following year. 

Hunt said that all of these measures will be paid for partially by higher windfall taxes on energy companies. From January 1st, 2023, until March 2028, the energy profits levy will be increased from 25% to 35% and there will be a 45% levy on electricity generators to raise £14bn next year. Hunt is also asking 600,000 people on universal credit to meet with careers coaches to increase earnings and get more money into the economy.  

Business 

Now to business. Here are some of the key takeaways: 

• The Employment Allowance will be kept at £5,000 (40% of all businesses will pay no NICs at all). 
• £2.8bn will be raised by 2027/28 from stopping big companies evading and avoiding tax.  
• The Deduction Rate will be cut to 86% for Research & Development (R&D) and the credit rate will drop to 10% 
• On business rates, we’ll see a £14bn tax cut over 5 years and Hunt will proceed with the revaluation of business properties from April 2023. 
• There’ll be a £700mn investment in renewable energy and a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell. This will create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and should reduce the average household energy bills by £450. 
• Hunt has removed import tariffs on over 100 goods used by UK businesses in manufacturing processes. 

What’s more, devolved administrations will receive £3.4 billion over the next two years: £1.5bn for Scotland, £1.2bn for Wales and £650m for Northern Ireland. Please note that the Scottish government’s tax and spending plans for 2023/24 are due to be published on 15 December.

As ever, more details will follow over the coming days as people demand clarity and it is yet to be seen if these measures can rebuild a broken economy. The next 5 years will be really important for small businesses and for people for this reason. As soon as more details are released by the government, we’ll update this article. For now, please consult your local AIMS Accountant should you have questions on anything: Find your local AIMS accountant | AIMS Accountants for Business