The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals ……………………………………………………………Policy News Journal
£400 million for a new Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund, at least matched by private finance, to invest in new fibre networks over the next 4 years a new 100% business rates relief for new full-fibre infrastructure for a 5 year period from 1 April 2017 providing funding to local areas to support investment in a much bigger fibre ‘spine’ across the UK, prioritising full-fibre connections for businesses and bringing together public sector demand. providing funding for a coordinated programme of integrated fibre and 5G trials, to keep the UK at the forefront of the global 5G revolution; further detail will be set out at Budget 2017 as part of the government’s 5G Strategy. Consumer insurance market New FCA rules on consumer insurance policy renewals, being introduced in April 2017, will encourage consumers to shop around instead of renewing their policy automatically. The FCA will monitor the effect of the rules and the government will ask the FCA to consider further intervention if necessary. Credit unions From 2018, the government will expand an existing scheme which incentivises credit union membership in communities at risk of being targeted by loan sharks. This will use funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act from convicted loan sharks. Flood defence The government will invest £170 million in flood defence and resilience measures. £20 million of this investment will be for new flood defence schemes, £50 million for rail resilience projects, including Dawlish, and £100 million to improve the resilience of roads to flooding. Gift Aid digital As announced at Budget 2016, the government will give intermediaries a greater role in administering Gift Aid, simplifying the Gift Aid process for donors making digital donations. Inheritance tax reliefs From Royal Assent of the Finance Bill 2017-18, inheritance tax relief for donations to political parties will be extended to parties with representatives in the devolved legislatures, as well as parties that have acquired representatives through by-elections. This will ensure consistent and fair treatment for all national political parties with elected representatives. Legal support From April 2017, all employees called to give evidence in court will no longer need to pay tax on legal support from their employer. This will help support all employees and ensure fairness in the tax system, as currently only those requiring legal support because of allegations against them can use the tax relief. Pension scams The government will shortly publish a consultation on options to tackle pension scams, including banning cold calling in relation to pensions, giving firms greater powers to block suspicious transfers and making it harder for scammers to abuse ‘small self-administered schemes’. Prison safety and wider reforms to the justice system The government will provide up to £500 million of additional funding across the period to the Ministry of Justice. As announced by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, as part of the Prison Safety and Reform white paper, this will enable the recruitment of 2,500 extra prison officers to improve prison safety. It will also fund wider reforms to the justice system.
Rough Sleeping Fund The government is committing a further £10 million over two years to the Rough Sleeping Fund.
Whiplash reform The Ministry of Justice is consulting on proposals which will reduce the unacceptably high number of whiplash claims and allow insurers to cut premiums. The government will bring forward supporting legislation in the Justice Bill and expects insurers to pass on savings which average around £40 for drivers in England and Wales, worth a total of £1 billion.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Policy News Journal
cipp.org.uk
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