Dealing with inflation
With continuing inflation in the UK, many of us and our businesses have been put “off track” in the short to medium term. The Bank of England recently increased interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 5.25 per cent. The rise was as expected by economists in view of the latest data showing annual inflation at 7.9 per cent in June which is four times higher than the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target.
Inflation is a problem for most of us. Savers find that the value of their cash is being rapidly eroded. At 10% inflation, the £100 you save today will only buy £90 worth of goods in a year’s time. Many people are finding that their household budgets are stressed.
What can you do to protect your long-term finances and combat inflation?
- Protect your retirement income
Inflation has an enormous impact on how long retirement savings will last. The income that seems more than adequate when your start your golden years can look less than generous after 10 years of inflation, and a recipe for misery after 20. A basic level annuity will mean having the buying power of your income eroded every year. An inflation-linked annuity will start off providing a much smaller income, but one that keeps increasing over time. A drawdown pension, where your pension pot remains invested, and you draw down an income as you need it, is more flexible – but you will still need to take care to avoid running out of cash.
- Avoid locking your cash savings away
Savers should benefit when higher inflation leads to the Bank of England increasing the Bank Rate, but beware; although the rates offered by savings providers are rising, they have not yet done so enough to come anywhere near inflation.
However, with the Bank Rate forecast to rise further and with savings deals forecast to follow, there could be better deals to be had over the next few months. Shop around for the best deal – and avoid locking your savings into a long-term deal, because it could mean missing out on much better rates in the near future.
- Look at your investment strategy
In an inflationary world, investing – where your cash is used to buy something which could appreciate in price – could be more rewarding than saving.
While inflation erodes the value of cash savings, it actually works to boost the value of some investments. But how should you invest? Bond investment becomes less attractive in times of inflation, as the income provided by bonds is subject to inflation.
Investors can protect themselves by buying index-linked bonds, where the interest paid rises in line with inflation. Some business sectors will suffer during inflationary periods. Oil and mining companies tend to do well as rising commodity prices are good for their bottom lines. Utility groups often pay dividends linked to inflation. However, inflation could be bad for others such as retailers and supermarkets, which may lack the ability to increase prices. Luxury goods may be shunned when households tighten their belts.
- Secure a low-rate mortgage before rates rise
Inflation has already triggered rate rises, and mortgages are substantially more expensive than they were last year. This process could continue – the Bank of England has hinted as much. To avoid increasing interest costs which could mean that buying your home becomes difficult or even impossible, it makes sense to try and secure the lowest rate you can for your mortgage, fixed for the longest possible period.
- Get some expert help.
Managing money in inflationary times can be challenging – but the challenges can be much more manageable if you have an expert to call on, so talk to your financial adviser. If you don’t have one, see: Choosing a financial adviser | MoneyHelper
Preparing your business for emergencies
The UK government has a webpage with guidance to help businesses identify and prepare for the hazards and threats that may disrupt their operations.
Being more prepared and resilient could give a competitive advantage to your business. The actions you take to make your business resilient will depend on your circumstances and the risks you are comfortable taking. Having assessed these, only you can decide how much time, and possibly money, you want to invest in increasing your resilience.
These suggested actions will help you get started:
- Do a business resilience health check to help you understand how to make your company prepared for emergencies by using the weblink below.
- Talk to neighbours, businesses, and customers about your plans and how you could support each other.
- Test your plan and adjust it where necessary to avoid complications in an emergency.
- Make sure all your staff have copies of your plan and that they know their responsibilities in an emergency.
- Read the guidance for preparing your businesses for flooding and for preparing your premises.
See: Preparing for emergencies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
DVLA launches new online account for motorists
Motorists can opt for digital vehicle tax reminders rather than having to wait for a paper reminder to drop through their letter box. The change comes as part of DVLA’s new Driver and vehicles account service, which was launched on GOV.UK last week.
The new service, which allows motorists to easily access their driver and vehicle information in one place, has been launched as a public beta and DVLA are asking motorists to provide feedback to help develop the service.
The Driver and vehicles account is easy-to-use, secure, and it takes around 5 minutes to sign up. Once an account has been set up, motorists can simply sign in using their email and password, and will be able to:
- view their driving licence information, including endorsements and penalty points;
- view vehicles that are registered to them, including tax and MOT status;
- change their contact preferences;
- set up vehicle tax reminders by email and for the first time by SMS text; and
- choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post.
See: Driver and vehicles account: sign in or set up – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Additional information required for Research & Development (R&D) claims
The latest Finance Act includes two changes that will affect all R&D claims:
- A requirement to provide additional information before an R&D claim is made; and
- A requirement for certain companies to make a claim notification within six months after the end of the accounting period for which they want to claim R&D relief.
When a limited company intends to make a claim for research and development (R&D) tax relief, from 8 August 2023 onwards it will need to provide detailed information to HMRC in advance.
You will need to set out details of the R&D project(s) undertaken, including the scientific or technical uncertainty that the work was seeking to overcome, along with details of the work done to resolve that uncertainty.
For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2023, there is also a new R&D claim notification form which must be submitted within the ‘claim notification period’, which ends six months after the end of the accounting period for which the company wants to claim R&D relief.
Broadly, new claimants or those who haven’t claimed for three years will need to complete this claim notification form for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2023.
Talk to us; we can assist you in preparing the notification or prepare it on your behalf.
HMRC late payment interest rates to be revised after Bank of England increases base rate
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced an increase to the Bank of England base rate from 5.00% to 5.25% on 3 August 2023.
HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate.
Because the base rate has changed, HMRC interest rates for late payment and repayment will increase.
These changes will come into effect on:
- 14 August 2023 for quarterly instalment payments; and
- 22 August 2023 for non-quarterly instalments payments.
Latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updates
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regularly issues safety updates, some of the latest are listed below.
Improving general ventilation in the workplace
Employers must make sure there is adequate ventilation in enclosed areas of their workplace.
Help bust the myths on portable appliance testing
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to make sure they are safe to use.
HSE’s Dust Kills campaign continues
HSE’s Dust Kills campaign urges employers and those working in construction to be aware of the risks from exposure to silica and wood dust.
For updated safety alerts and notices see: HSE: Latest news on health and safety at work
Latest HMRC tax webinars for the self-employed
Listed below are a number of live HMRC webinars that will give the self-employed an understanding of key taxes that affect them. The webinars are free and last around an hour.
Capital Allowances for the self-employed
Tue 15 Aug at 11:45am
Record keeping for the self-employed
Tue 15 Aug at 1:45pm
Residential property income for individuals – an introduction
Tue 22 Aug at 9:45am
Construction Industry Scheme for contractors
Tue 22 Aug at 11:45am
Residential property income for individuals – expenses, and deductions
Tue 22 Aug at 1:45pm
Car expenses for the self-employed
Wed 23 Aug at 9:45am
Construction Industry Scheme for subcontractors
Wed 23 Aug at 11:45am
Business expenses for the self-employed
Wed 23 Aug at 1:45pm
Company directors – payroll and you
Mon 18 Sep at 11:45am
Capital allowances and vehicles
Thu 21 Sep at 11:45am
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible businesses with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints.
All businesses can use it to help provision chargepoints for their staff or fleets. Charities and small accommodation businesses can further use it to provision chargepoints for their guests or visitors.
The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket; or
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site.
Closing date: 31 March 2024.
See: Workplace Charging Scheme – GOV-UK Find a grant (find-government-grants.service.gov.uk)
£40 million fund launched for 5G across the UK
The UK government has launched a £40 million fund to spark local digital revolutions and unlock 5G benefits across the UK.
Local and regional authorities can apply for a share of the multi-million-pound fund, designed to accelerate innovation in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, transport, agriculture, and public services, helping to create better connected places across the UK.
The cash boost will create 5G Innovation Regions by awarding funding to areas that can demonstrate how they will drive the development and adoption of 5G and other technologies. This will make sure communities in towns, cities and rural areas across the UK take full advantage of the benefits advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies can provide, as well as attract commercial investment to grow the economy.
Applications of the technology could include connecting sensors that analyse and help to improve air quality by better managing traffic, and deploying 5G-enabled drones that can scan fields and crops, collecting data on weather and environmental conditions.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 10 September 2023.
See: 5G Innovation Regions: open for applications – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Tripling of fines for those supporting illegal migrants
Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties, in the biggest shake up of civil penalties since 2014, the Home Secretary announced last week.
The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000.
For landlords, the fines will increase from £80 per lodger and £1,000 per occupier for a first breach to up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier. Repeat breaches will be up to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively. The higher penalties will come in at the start of 2024.
Later this year, the Home Office will consult on options to strengthen action against licensed businesses who are employing illegal workers.
Since the start of 2018, almost 5,000 civil penalties have been issued to employers with a total value of £88.4 million. Meanwhile, landlords have been hit with over 320 civil penalties worth a total of £215,500 in the same period.
See: Tripling of fines for those supporting illegal migrants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Brilliant Basics Fund
Tourism projects across Wales have won a share of the Welsh Government’s £5 million Brilliant Basics Fund to help deliver a first-class holiday experience, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Dawn Bowden confirmed last week.
29 tourism infrastructure projects in north, mid and south west and south east Wales have received investment from the fund, which helps deliver small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements.
The fund, which is open to local authorities and national park authorities, also supports projects that improve accessibility and those that make their destinations more environmentally sustainable.
2023 is Wales’ Year of Trails which presents the tourism sector with an opportunity to showcase attractions, landscapes and coastline through routes and trails. The approved projects show how local authorities and national parks have considered the entire visitor experience and the essential infrastructure that makes a trail experience complete, from pathways, to parking to making facilities accessible for all.
Renting homes: bed and breakfast accommodation used for homelessness purposes
The government is seeking views on proposed amendments to Schedule 2 of the 2016 Act preventing bed and breakfast accommodation used for homelessness purposes being an occupation contract. They are consulting on:
- the risk of a reduction in the availability of bed and breakfast provision as temporary accommodation; and
- additional risks to homeless households.
The consultation closes on 15 September 2023.
See: Renting homes: bed and breakfast accommodation used for homelessness purposes | GOV.WALES
Recruiting overseas workers: guidance for businesses
To employ (or sponsor) an overseas worker in a skilled role on a Skilled Worker visa, an employer must have a sponsor licence.
Having a sponsor licence enables UK employers to compete for labour in the UK and global markets. It is one of a number of options to secure technical abilities not immediately available to a UK employer.
A sponsor licence is valid for 4 years. It can be used to sponsor any number of overseas workers in skilled roles that meet specific minimum salary thresholds.
The Welsh Government have published guidance for businesses on recruiting overseas workers.
The guidance includes:
- Introduction,
- Sponsor licences,
- Apply for a sponsor licence,
- The sponsorship management system and certificates of sponsorship,
- Sponsorship duties,
- Sponsorship costs, and
- Additional information.
See: Recruiting overseas workers: guidance for businesses | GOV.WALES
