Welcome to the 2021 Budget Newsletter from Walsh & Co

Sunak sets out Budget to protect businesses

Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a Budget to protect businesses through the pandemic, fix the public finances and begin building the future economy.

The Chancellor once again pledged to do 'whatever it takes' during the COVID-19 pandemic and confirmed that the furlough scheme would be extended until September to support jobs through the crisis. 

Mr Sunak also confirmed that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has also been extended, with two further grants this year. Claimable by the self-employed who have filed their tax return for 2019/20 by midnight on 2 March 2021, these grants are also available to those newly self-employed from 6 April 2019.

The stamp duty nil-rate band on residential properties in England up to £500,000 will continue until the end of June. It will taper to £250,000 until the end of September, and then return to the usual level of £125,000 from 1 October.

Citing the latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Mr Sunak said the economy is predicted to grow by 4% this year and by 7.3% in 2022. However, despite further growth predicted for the following three years, the economy will still be 3% smaller in five years' time than it would have been if the pandemic had not hit the economy. 

To support businesses as they re-open following lockdown, £5 billion will be made available in restart grants. Non-essential retail businesses re-opening first will be eligible for up to £6,000 but the leisure and hospitality sectors, which have been worse affected and will re-open later, will be eligible for up to £18,000.

Hospitality and leisure businesses will also pay no business rates for the next three months, then rates will be discounted for the remaining nine months of the year.

However, the rate of corporation tax will increase to 25% in April 2023 for companies with profits over £250,000, whilst retaining a Small Profits Rate of 19% for companies with profits of £50,000 or less.

Turning to duties, tax on beer, wine, cider and spirits has been frozen while fuel duty will also remain frozen for an 11th consecutive year. 

Mr Sunak also introduced green measures, including a new national infrastructure bank, which will open in Leeds with £12 billion capitalisation from the government, which will also offer a green retail savings product.

He also confirmed the location of the eight Freeports in England. Freeports are special economic zones with favourable tariffs and lower taxes to make it easier and cheaper to do business.

For a detailed overview of the 2021 Budget and what the measures mean for you and your business, visit our Budget Report summary.


WHAT THEY SAID

'We need a real commitment to give every business, large or small, the opportunity to grow, innovate and succeed.'
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer

'After the decisions of the last year and the decade of neglect, we needed a Budget to fix our economy, to reward our key workers, to protect the NHS and to build a more secure and prosperous economy for the future.'
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party

'The Chancellor has gone above and beyond to protect UK businesses and people's livelihoods through the crisis and get firms spending.'
Tony Danker, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry

'Extensions to furlough, business rates relief and VAT reductions give firms a fighting chance not only to restart but also to rebuild.'
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce

'The continuation of business rates and VAT discounts is critical, and it's important that those in supply chains benefit from them, not just those that neatly fit the definitions of frontline retail, leisure and hospitality.'
Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses


For the full Budget announcements visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2021-documents


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IN THE NEWS

2021 Budget - the economic picture
Within his Budget speech, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled billions in financial support for businesses and families adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Click here for the full story

2021 Budget - the political reaction
Addressing the House of Commons, Chancellor Rishi Sunak used the 2021 Budget to 'do whatever it takes' to financially support people and business as the UK recovers from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Click here for the full story

2021 Budget - the business reaction
Business groups have responded to Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget speech.
Click here for the full story