What are the various parties Taxation Policies?
With an upcoming election seemingly now inevitable each party are making pledges around Taxation – we look at what these are likely to be.
Conservatives
The Conservatives promise Investment in an “infrastructure revolution” with money for broadband, roads, the NHS, schools and police.
Corporation tax is due to decrease to 17% from April 2020.
National Living Wage to increase £10.50 in the next five years for over-21s.
Labour
Labour plans to spend £250bn on upgrading the UK’s transport, energy and broadband infrastructure.
The party is currently committed to increase income tax rates to 45 per cent for salaries over £80,000 and to 50 per cent for salaries over £123,000.
Cuts to corporation tax would be reversed, and the rate would be fixed at around 26 per cent.
Cut the average working week to 32 days within ten years, but without a loss of pay. Zero-hours contracts and unpaid internships would also be banned. Union legislation would be repealed. Introduce a UK-wide minimum wage of £10 an hour.
Lib Dems
The party will reform the tax system, including demanding multinational corporations “pay their fair share in taxation”, double spending on innovation and research, and increase spending on public services and entrepreneurship.
The party plan to consult on a “genuine” Living Wage, introduce “good employer” kitemark for firms who pay a living wage, reform employment rights and stamp out abuse of zero-hours contracts.
Brexit Party
The Brexit party has resisted publishing a manifesto in the past, but it is likely to pledge to lower taxes for both individuals and businesses.
The Greens
The party plan to introduce a Universal Basic Income. Green policies will establish greater community and environmental accountability of major companies. Reform the banking sector. Redistribute income and wealth via “neutral” taxation.
Would introduce a Citizen’s Income to make work more flexible. Would increase workers’ rights, would work towards a 35-hour average working week
Which is the Party for Business
If we put the believability of election pledges aside for a moment, the Conservatives seem to offer the most business-friendly pledges.
Labours planned increase of Corporation tax would not be popular amongst our clients.
It seems at the moment at least the other parties do not offer much in the way of detail with regard to their taxation plans – its early days though, so we will see what is announced in the next few weeks when Election fever really takes over.
