Chancellor´s room for Budget tax cuts hit after…
The prospects for substantial tax cuts in the upcoming Budget have been tempered by recent data showing a smaller-than-expected surplus in January. While this presents a challenge for the Chancellor, there is still a glimpse of hope as year-to-date borrowing figures surpass expectations.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), January witnessed a public sector net borrowing surplus of £16.7 billion. This figure not only exceeded the surplus of £7.5 billion reported the previous year but also marked the largest January surplus since records began in 1993. However, this result fell short of the anticipated £18.5 billion surplus forecasted by economists.
Despite the shortfall, the discussion around possible tax reductions continues as the government prepares for a critical Budget announcement on March 6. This budget will be especially significant as it precedes an expected general election later in the year.
The recent revelation of the UK’s entry into recession at the end of 2023 complicates the economic landscape. With consecutive quarters of declining output, the pressure is on for the government to navigate these challenging times effectively.
Yet, there is a silver lining for the Chancellor. Revisions to previous months’ data suggest that borrowing for the financial year to March may be lower than the £123.9 billion predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott, emphasized the government’s cautious optimism, noting the decline in inflation from over 11% to 4% as a sign of economic recovery.
January traditionally results in a government surplus, largely driven by self-assessment tax payments. This year´s significant surplus was aided by reduced debt interest payments and the absence of the costly energy support payments required last year. However, unexpected increases in other government expenditures and slower growth in tax receipts have tempered the surplus.
Even with these challenges, the first 10 months of the financial year saw borrowing reach £96.6 billion, which is £3.1 billion less than the previous year and under the OBR´s forecast of £105.8 billion. This efficiency has stirred cautious optimism, although some believe it is too early for the Chancellor to celebrate fully.
Rumors and speculation continue to swirl around potential measures to be introduced in the forthcoming Budget, including possible cuts to the basic rate of income tax. Such policies would aim to appeal to the broader electorate ahead of the forthcoming election, balancing the need for economic stability with voter satisfaction.
As discussions and predictions abound, key economic advisers have cautioned that while there may be some room for maneuver, substantial tax cuts appear increasingly unlikely. A combination of factors, including revised expectations on interest rate cuts and the potential economic impact of lower inflation, suggests that the Chancellor’s ability to introduce significant fiscal stimuli may be constrained.
Presently, the UK’s national debt stands at £2.65 trillion, up from £2.49 trillion a year earlier, reflecting 96.5% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP). This level of indebtedness mirrors ratios not seen since the early 1960s. However, January saw the lowest debt interest payments since 2021, amounting to £4.4 billion, thanks in part to lower RPI inflation and its effect on index-linked gilt stocks.
As the national and global economy continues to evolve, all eyes will remain on the Chancellor come March 6, anticipating his strategy to navigate these turbulent financial waters.
