Wednesdays Big Budget: A Chance to Warm Up the Wallet
That crisp afternoon, UK households and freelancers alike are holding their breath for the Autumn 2024 Budget—the moment when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt might finally drop a tax‑reduction “large‑vein” to the right of the “tax‑hike” ditch.
Yesterday’s inflation snapshot shows prices still hovering above the Bank of England’s 2 % target, meaning every grocery bill, office lease and coffee run feels heavier. Meanwhile, a series of tax freezes and increases have bent budgets all the way from solo‑consultants to commercial fleet managers.
Voices from the Flex‑Work Front
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Hubbul’s Terry Payne is waving a flag for raising the minimum trading allowance from £1,000 to something a bit more generous.
“Side hustles have become a survival strategy,” Payne says. “A higher trading allowance would give these vital workers a financial lift—exactly what the Budget can deliver.” -
IR35 pro‑Seb Maley of Qdos cautions the government against reversing the Corporation Tax rise and for better handling of the 4.2 million self‑employed cataloged across the UK.
“The tax regime is breeding resentment, and policymakers are fast‑fading the lights on the working autarky of the Dartmoor‑like entrepreneurs.” -
Umbrella‑savvy Julia Kermode of PayePass is calling for the regulation of the umbrella sector—700,000 workers and billions in flows are currently stuck in a policy‑vacuum while tax‑avoidance schemes loom larger than a tax‑man’s mug.
“Without rapid action, the industry’s sustainability plus the livelihoods of these workers are in peril.”
Takeaway
The Autumn Statement is not just a ceremonial speech—it’s a real, open‑handed opportunity for the Chancellor to ease the tax burden for the UK’s gears and gig‑workers. Is the moment coming? Let’s wait to see if Jeremy Hunt will deliver the sweet spot that moves a country forward and tricks the tax machine into allowing people to keep a few extra pounds.
