Jump in bills drives slight increase in CPI growth in October, with Bank likely to stick to cautious approach to rate cuts. UK inflation rose slightly more than expected to 2.3% in October on the back of a jump in energy prices. Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth had slowed to 1.7% the previous month, raising some hopes of quicker than …
Bank of England reduces interest rates to 4.75%
Industry experts predict further reductions in the months ahead but say the Budget may slow the pace of future cuts. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted 8–1 to reduce Bank Rate from 5% to 4.75%. One member preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 5%. The MPC last reduced interest rates from 5.25% to 5% in August, the …
Autumn Budget 24: Labour raises CGT lower and higher rates
CGT on residential property unchanged Chancellor Rachel Reeves has raised the lower rate of capital gains tax (CGT) from 10% to 18%, and the higher rate of CGT from 20% to 24%. The rises introduced by the chancellor are up from 10% and 20% for the lower and higher rates, respectively. In her Autumn Budget today (30 October), Reeves said …
Autumn Budget 24: Inherited pensions to face IHT from 2027
Autumn Budget 24: Inherited pensions to face IHT from 2027 Impacting wealth transfer efficiency and legacy planning Pensions passed on will be subject to inheritance tax (IHT) from 2027, Rachel Reeves has confirmed in today’s (30 October) Budget. Pensions are currently exempt from IHT and not classed as part of an estate when someone passes away. “We will close the …
IHT receipts surge to £4.3bn in first half of 2024, £400m higher than last year
Ahead of next weeks’ Autumn Budget Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts have hit £4.3bn in the six months from April to September 2024, according to figures published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This is £400m higher than the same period in the previous tax year and continues the upward trajectory over the last two decades. Higher receipts from March 2022 …
Below-expected inflation paves the way for two interest rate cuts this year
September marks the first-time inflation has been below the Bank of England’s 2% target since April 2021. CPI inflation has fallen from 2.2% in August to 1.7% in September, below the Bank of England’s 2% target and below economists’ forecasts of 1.9%. After hitting the Bank of England’s 2.0% target in May and June, inflation rose to 2.2% in July …