Autumn Budget Impact
30th October 2024
Today the Government delivered the Autumn Budget 2024 which contains significant tax rises.
Here are the key points that matter to equestrian businesses:
- Tax rises on NI Employers going up by 1.2% to 15% from April 2025
- Reduction in the level at which employers will start paying NI on employees' salary from £9.1k to £5k (this is a massive hit for employers!)
- From 2028-29 personal tax thresholds will be uprated in line with inflation once again
- The amount employers can claim back from their National Insurance bill is increased from £5,000 to £10,500 (helping small businesses)
- A new crackdown on tax avoidance and fraud. An increase in the number of HMRC investigators and an investment in the process.
- The minimum wage will rise significantly on the 1st April 2025:
- The minimum wage for 21 and over year olds, known officially as the National Living Wage, will rise by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21.
- For 18 to 20-year-olds, the minimum wage will rise from £8.60 to £10.00. (an increase of 16.3%!)
- Apprentices will get the biggest pay bump, from £6.40 to £7.55 an hour.
- Accommodation Offset will rise from £10.66 per day (£74.62 per week)
So what does this actually mean for the increase of wage bills within a yard? We have calculated the following scenarios:
*NB these hours are based on repeated surveys that identify the hours grooms work. Remember, the NMW/NLW must be paid for every hour worked.
54 hour week (6 days per week, 07.30 - 17.30 with 1 hour unpaid lunch break)
- 21 and over Current = £32,123 New = £34,285 Rise= £2,162
- 18 -20 Current = £24,148 New = £28,080 Rise= £3,931
- Apprentice Current = £17,971 New = £21,200 Rise =£3,229
45 hour week (5 days per week, 07.30 - 17.30 with 1 hour unpaid lunch break)
- 21 and over Current = £26,769 New = £28,571 Rise= £1,801
- 18 -20 Current = £20,124 New = £23,400 Rise= £3,276
- Apprentice Current = £14,976 New = £17,667 Rise =£2,691
The impact on a business then needs to be multiplied, so for example, the rises announced will on 1st April 2025 see an annual increase of:
Yard with 3 staff who are 21 years and older = £9,322
Yard of 5 staff (2x21 and over, 2x 18 -20 and 1 apprentice = £15,415
Yard of 10 staff (4x21 and over, 4 x 18-20 and 2 apprentice = £30,831
It must also be noted that there is also an increase in Pension contributions as a result of the rises and the NI insurance rates. All of which is going to have implications for equestrian employers.
Read the Autumn Budget 2024
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