Budget 2018: Philip Hammond's speech
The Budget speech in full (check against delivery).
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Today, I present to the House a Budget for Britain鈥檚 future;
A budget that shows the perseverance of the British people finally paying off鈥
A Budget for hard working families鈥
鈥ho live their lives far from this place鈥
鈥nd care little for the twists and turns of Westminster politics.
People who get up early in the morning鈥
鈥o open up factories, shops, and building sites鈥
鈥o drop their kids off at school鈥
鈥o check on elderly relatives and neighbours.
The strivers, the grafters and the carers who are the backbone of our communities and our economy.
People who ask only of Government that we protect the jobs that put food on their table鈥
鈥hat we deliver the public services their families rely on鈥
鈥nd that we do it efficiently, minimising the amount of tax we need to take from their hard-earned wages.
People who we, on this side of the House, are proud to represent.
So I say to them:
This Budget is unashamedly for you.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The British people put their faith in us to do the job鈥
鈥nd today we repay that trust with a Budget that paves the way for a brighter future.
And, Mr Deputy Speaker, let me be clear why:
The tough decisions of the past eight years were not driven by ideology鈥
鈥hey were driven by necessity;
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And, as ever, we did what needed to be done.
Now we have reached a defining moment on this, long, hard journey.
Opening a new chapter in our country鈥檚 economic history.
Where we can look confidently to the future鈥
鈥nd set our course for where this remarkable country will go next.
Because today, Mr Deputy Speaker,
I can report to the British people鈥
鈥hat their hard work is paying off鈥
鈥nd the era of austerity finally coming to an end.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I鈥檓 sure like me - many members of the House, keenly remember the last Budget on a Monday鈥
鈥t was 1962鈥
鈥 was 6 years old鈥
鈥ensions between Russia and the United States were rising鈥
鈥nd a former Foreign Secretary turned Chancellor鈥
鈥abelled by some as 鈥渟tubborn鈥 and 鈥渄ifficult鈥濃
鈥elivered a Budget amid Cabinet revolt鈥
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And I remember my parents turning to me and saying: Philip, that could be you one day.
Mr Deputy Speaker鈥
鈥he media has been full of speculation about the timing of today鈥檚 Budget鈥
Some were hoping for a December budget:
I am sure the headline writers were ready with:
鈥淪preadsheet Phil turns Santa Claus鈥.
Others were desperate for it to be on Wednesday:
鈥淗ammo House of Horrors鈥, perhaps.
But the truth is, by choosing today, rather than Wednesday, I have not avoided the blood-curdling threats, the anguished wailing, and the strange banging of furniture..
鈥 have kindly been invited to a special meeting of the 1922 committee this evening.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Our economy continues to confound those who talk it down鈥
鈥nd we continue to focus resolutely on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead鈥
鈥s we build a new relationship with our European neighbours鈥
鈥 new future outside the European Union.
But as we do so, let us not forget the remarkable achievements of the British people in clearing up the aftermath of the recession:
鈥he British people have a record to be proud of:
Eight straight years of economic growth;
Over 3.3 million more people in jobs
Higher employment and lower unemployment in every region and every nation of the United Kingdom;
Wages growing at their fastest pace in almost a decade;
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An economy back on its feet again;
An economy working鈥
鈥 not for the few鈥
鈥or even for the many鈥
鈥n economy working for everyone.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
We are at a pivotal moment in our EU negotiations鈥
鈥nd the stakes could not be higher:
Get it right, and we will not only protect Britain鈥檚 jobs, businesses and prosperity鈥
鈥ut we will also harvest a double 鈥淒eal Dividend鈥
A boost from the end of uncertainty;
And a boost from releasing some of the fiscal headroom that I am holding in reserve at the moment.
We are confident that we will secure a deal which delivers that dividend.
Confident, but not complacent.
So we will continue to plan for all eventualities鈥
鈥nd I will do so at this Budget with a three-pronged approach:
First, I have already allocated 拢2.2bn to departments for Brexit preparations;
And in the Autumn Budget last year I set aside a further 拢1.5bn to be allocated for 2019-20.
Today I am increasing that sum to 拢2bn鈥
鈥nd in the coming weeks the Chief Secretary will announce allocations to individual Departments.
Secondly, I shall today maintain the headroom to my fiscal rules broadly as set out in the Spring Statement鈥
鈥etaining firepower to intervene if the economy needs more support in the coming months.
And thirdly, as I have been clear since moving to an Autumn Budget鈥
鈥 if the economic or fiscal outlook changes materially in-year鈥
鈥 I will take whatever action is appropriate, including if necessary reserving the right to upgrade the Spring Statement to a full Fiscal Event.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The House can be confident that we are working for the best outcome for Britain鈥 鈥ut preparing for every eventuality.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I shall first report to the House on the economic forecasts of the independent OBR鈥
鈥nd I thank Robert Chote and his team, for their work.
The OBR expect growth to be resilient across the forecast period鈥
鈥mproving next year from the 1.3% forecast at the Spring Statement鈥
鈥o 1.6%鈥
鈥hen 1.4% in 2020 and 2021; 1.5% in 2022; and 1.6% in 2023.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
This Government has prioritised getting people into work鈥
鈥ecause the best way to help people is to provide them with the stability of a pay packet every month.
Since 2010 over 3.3 million more people are in work鈥
And today the OBR confirm Britain鈥檚 鈥渏obs miracle鈥 is set to continue鈥
鈥evising up participation in the labour market鈥
鈥 revising down the country鈥檚 鈥渆quilibrium unemployment rate鈥濃
鈥redicting 800,000 more jobs by 2023.
By my calculation that鈥檚 over 4.2 million net new jobs since 2010鈥
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But now we need to focus on pay鈥
鈥nd with the proportion of low paid jobs at its lowest since 1997鈥
鈥ith regular pay growth at 3.1%, its strongest in almost a decade鈥
鈥nd inflation forecast to average 2% next year鈥
鈥he OBR is forecasting sustained real wage growth in each of the next five years鈥
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I turn now to the fiscal forecast.
We inherited the highest budget deficit in our peacetime history.
But after eight years, the hard work of the British people is paying off.
鈥nd we will not squander their efforts.
Today鈥檚 forecast, taking into account all announcements since the Spring Statement, including measures I shall announce today, shows the deficit down from almost 10% [political content removed]鈥
鈥o less than 1.4% next year [political content removed] 鈥
鈥nd falling to just 0.8% by 2023-24.
Borrowing this year will be 拢11.6bn lower than forecast at the Spring Statement鈥
鈥ust 1.2% of GDP鈥
鈥nd is then set to fall from 拢31.8bn in 2019/20鈥
鈥o 拢26.7bn in 2020-21鈥
鈥β23.8bn in 鈥21鈥-鈥22鈥欌
鈥β20.8bn in 鈥22-鈥23鈥
鈥nd 拢19.8bn in 2023-24, its lowest level in over 20 years鈥
We meet our structural borrowing target 3 years early鈥.
鈥nd deliver borrowing of just 1.3% of GDP in 20-21鈥
鈥aintaining 拢15.4bn headroom against our 2% Fiscal Rules target.
We are no longer borrowing at all to finance current spending.
And today the OBR confirm that our national debt peaked in 2016/17鈥
鈥t 85.2% of GDP鈥
鈥nd then falls in every year of the forecast from 83.7% this year; to 74.1% in 23-24鈥
鈥hat鈥檚 lower in every year than forecast at the Spring Statement鈥
鈥nd it means that we meet our target to get debt falling 3 years early.
鈥 turning point in our nation鈥檚 recovery
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Both our fiscal rules met; both of them three years early.
So, Mr Deputy Speaker,
Fiscal Phil says: Fiscal Rules OK.
But Mr Deputy Speaker,
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I have always been clear:
Sound public finances are essential 鈥 but they are not an end in themselves.
So since I have been Chancellor, I have taken a balanced approach鈥
鈥utting an additional 拢60 billion into our public services and investment in our future鈥
鈥utting tax for 31 million people鈥
鈥nd all the while reducing borrowing and getting our national debt falling.
Now we must do more鈥
鈥nd thanks to the hard work of the British people, in this Budget we can do more.
I said at the Spring Statement鈥
鈥hat our careful management of the public finances was beginning to pay off鈥
鈥nd that if the improvement we saw then continued鈥
鈥hen I would be able to provide more support to our public services on a sustainable basis.
Today, the OBR confirm a significant improvement in our public finances鈥
鈥n upgrade that underscores the hard work of the British people鈥
鈥nd this government鈥檚 stewardship of this economy since 2010鈥
鈥nd which means I can deliver on that promise I made in the Spring.
Setting out a new path for public spending鈥
鈥nd a clear view for the British people of the fruits of their hard work.
Next year we will conduct a full Spending Review
鈥etting our priorities for public spending within a sustainable funding envelope鈥
鈥eciding on the right balance between investing in Britain鈥檚 future鈥
鈥nd current consumption of public services.
Today, I have set out an indicative 5-year path for departmental resource spending鈥
鈥︹漅DEL鈥 as it is known to aficionados of public finance.
For context, Mr Deputy Speaker,
In Spending Review 2010 average annual real growth was 鈥3%;
In Spending Review 2015 it was 鈥1.3%;
From next year it will be +1.2% annual average real growth.
But that is not the limit of my ambition.
When our EU negotiations deliver a deal, as I am confident they will鈥
鈥 expect that the 鈥淒eal Dividend鈥 will allow us to provide further funding for the Spending Review.
The hard work of the British people is paying off.
Austerity is coming to an end.
Now Mr Deputy Speaker,
You will know better than most that every Chancellor likes to have a rabbit or two in his hat as he approaches a budget鈥
鈥ut this year, some of my star bunnies appear to have escaped a little early!
In June, My RHF the Prime Minister announced the single largest cash commitment to our public services ever made by a peacetime Government鈥
鈥n 拢84bn five year deal for our precious NHS鈥
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And let me be clear:
We are delivering this historic 拢20.5bn real terms increase for the NHS in full over the next five years.
So, in a important sense, we made our big choice for this budget, four months before it was delivered.
And this was the right decision: our NHS is the number one priority of the British people; and as we approached the 70th anniversary of its foundation, they had a right to know the scale of our commitment to it.
But the British people also care that money invested in the NHS goes to the front line and to improvements in services.
So we didn鈥檛 just hand over money鈥
鈥e agreed that the NHS would produce a ten-year plan鈥
鈥etting out how the service will reform鈥
鈥ow waste will be reduced 鈥
鈥nd exactly what the British people can expect to get for their money.
That plan will be published shortly鈥
But I shall give the House a sneak preview today:
There are many pressing demands on additional NHS funding鈥
鈥ut few more pressing than the needs of those who suffer from mental illness.
And today I can announce that the NHS 10 Year Plan will include a new mental health crisis service鈥
鈥ith comprehensive mental health support available in every major A&E鈥
鈥hildren and young peoples鈥 crisis teams in every part of the country鈥
鈥ore mental health ambulances鈥
鈥ore 鈥渟afe havens鈥 in the community 鈥
鈥nd a 24-hour mental health crisis hotline.
These new services will ensure that people suffering from a crisis, young or old, can get the help they need鈥
鈥nding the stigma that has forced too many to suffer in silence鈥
鈥nd ending too the tragedy of too many lives lost to suicide.
We are proud to have made this extraordinary commitment to funding our NHS
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Mr Deputy Speaker,
Departmental spending allocations with be settled at the Spending Review next year鈥
However, there are a small number of areas where I will provide further support now鈥
鈥n order to deliver necessary certainty for forward planning.
Local government has made a significant contribution to repairing the public finances 鈥
鈥.and this Budget ensures local councils have more resources to deliver high quality public services.
We are giving councils greater control over the money they raise鈥
鈥hrough the Adult Social Care precept鈥
鈥hrough our plans for increased business rate retention from 2020鈥
鈥nd by removing the Housing Revenue Account cap so that councils can help to build the homes this country needs.
We will shortly publish our Green Paper on the future of Social Care鈥
鈥etting out the choices, some of them difficult, for making our social care system sustainable into the future.
But I recognise the immediate pressures Local Authorities face in respect of social care.
So today, building on the 拢240m for Social Care winter pressures announced earlier this month鈥
鈥 will make available a further 拢650m of grant funding for English Authorities for 2019-20 鈥
鈥nd an additional 拢45m for the Disabled Facilities Grant in England in 2018-19.
And we鈥檒l invest a further 拢84m over the next five years鈥
鈥o expand our successful Children鈥檚 Social Care programmes to 20 further councils with high or rising numbers of children in care鈥
鈥llowing councils to improve services for older people, for people with disabilities, and for children in care now鈥
鈥hile longer-term funding decisions will be made at the Spending Review.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The UK spends more on defence than any NATO member except the US;
But over the last year we have had stark reminders of the scale, scope and complexity of the threats we face.
My RHF the Defence Secretary is working with the Cabinet Office and the Treasury to conduct a Review into the modernisation of our armed forces in response to the evolving threat鈥
鈥hich will form the basis for a comprehensive consideration of Defence spending next year.
But as a former Defence Secretary myself, I understand the immediate pressures our Armed Forces are facing.
So I will today provide an additional 拢1bn to the MOD to cover the remainder of this year and next鈥
鈥o boost our cyber capabilities鈥
鈥nd our anti-submarine warfare capacity鈥
鈥nd to maintain the pace of the Dreadnought programme to ensure Continuous At Sea Deterrence鈥
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We are proud of our Armed Forces and we will always back them with the investment they need to keep this country safe.
And, Mr Deputy Speaker鈥
It is not only our armed forces that keep us safe.
Our Counter-terrorism police play a vital role in defending Britain against the evolving threats we face.
We committed in 2015 to spend 30% more on Counter Terrorism capabilities over the current Spending Review period.
And today I commit an additional 拢160m of CT police funding in 2019-20鈥
鈥o protect CT police numbers鈥
鈥nd to allow future CT police funding to be considered in the round at the Spending Review.
I recognise that policing more generally is under pressure from the changing nature of crime.
I also recognise the representations made on this by many colleagues, such as my HF the Member for South- West Bedfordshire鈥
鈥nd I can tell the House today that my RHF the Home Secretary will review police spending power and further options for reform when he presents the provisional police funding settlement in December.
Mr Deputy Speaker
As I have already set out鈥
鈥ue to the hard work of the British people鈥
鈥ublic borrowing this year is coming in substantially below forecast.
This allows us to provide additional support for public services in the Spending Review鈥
鈥nd contributes to the significant reduction in forecast debt this year.
But I also want to use this good news to give a little bit back, where it can be put to good use, in this financial year.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
This year marks a century since the end of the First World War.
And as we remember our fallen servicemen and women whose sacrifice ensured the freedom we enjoy today鈥
鈥any projects are raising money for veterans鈥 charities from sales of commemorative items on which VAT is charged.
Now we cannot waive the VAT due on these sales.
But we can make a donation with the VAT we will receive鈥
鈥nd I commit today that the Treasury will mark the Centenary of the Armistice by making a donation of 拢10m to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support veterans with mental health needs.
Many of our nation鈥檚 village halls were built to commemorate the sacrifice of WW1鈥
鈥nd many are being refurbished to commemorate the centenary.
So I will also provide funding for grants equivalent to the VAT chargeable on such refurbishment projects.
And as our focus moves from anniversaries of the the First World War to the Second鈥
鈥 will also provide 拢1.7 million for educational programmes in schools to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camps鈥
鈥nsuring the next generation hears the stories of those who survived the holocaust, and of the British soldiers who liberated them鈥.
鈥ecause as the terrible events in Pittsburgh this weekend鈥
鈥emind us, the battle against anti-Semitism did not end with the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Across the length and breadth of England, our air ambulance services work tirelessly to get those with life-threatening illnesses and injuries quickly to the expert medical care they need鈥
鈥unded entirely by philanthropy鈥
鈥hey do a fantastic job鈥
鈥nd today I am making 拢10m of funding to help them to go on doing so.
Mr Deputy Speaker, We鈥檙e investing record amounts in our schools鈥
鈥nd that investment is paying off with 86% of schools now rated good or outstanding, compared to 68% in 2010.
But I recognise that school budgets often do not stretch to that extra bit of kit that would make such a difference.
So today I am announcing a 拢400m in-year bonus to help our schools buy the little extras they need鈥
鈥 one-off capital payment directly to schools鈥
鈥 averaging 拢10,000 per primary school and 拢50,000 per Secondary School.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I have one final in-year measure to announce:
Every Member of Parliament will testify that potholes are high on the public鈥檚 list of concerns.
So as autumn takes hold, I am making an additional 拢420m available immediately to Local Highway Authorities鈥
鈥o tackle potholes, bridge repairs, and other minor works in this financial year.
But Mr Deputy Speaker,
If we want sustainable world class public services
鈥nd rising living standards鈥
鈥 we must make the serious long-term reforms our economy needs鈥
鈥o tackle the productivity challenge鈥
鈥repare our nation for the technological change ahead鈥
鈥nd show the next generation that our market economy can evolve once again to meet the needs of the new age.
Because, [political content removed] 鈥渆nding austerity鈥 is not just about funding public services;
It鈥檚 about real wage growth鈥
鈥nd it鈥檚 about leaving more of people鈥檚 hard-earned money in their pockets.
This is the nation of the Industrial Revolution鈥
鈥f Stephenson, of Whittle, Lovelace, Faraday鈥
鈥eople whose ideas shaped the world around them.
And today, Britain once again can lead the world as we exploit a new wave of scientific and technological discovery pouring out of our Universities and Research Institutes.
And we can solve the productivity challenge if we are willing to embrace the future鈥
鈥o make the choice to invest in infrastructure, in research, in skills and in our regions鈥.
鈥o manage change, not hide from it.
Mr Deputy Speaker鈥
鈥 believe passionately in this agenda.
But even I would admit that perhaps at the last two Budgets I might have given the House just a little bit more detailed information on productivity and technological innovation than it strictly needed!
So, Mr Deputy Speaker this time I will leave it to the Budget Red Book to set out more detail of the many measures we will take today鈥
鈥ncluding our commitment to technology with 拢1.6bn of new investments to support our modern industrial strategy, from nuclear fusion to quantum computing鈥
鈥nd 拢150m for fellowships to attract the brightest talent to these shores from around the world so that our scientific research continues to lead the world 鈥
鈥nd our commitment to infrastructure, expanding the National Productivity Investment Fund once again - to over 拢38bn by 2023-24鈥
鈥o that over the next five years, total public investment is growing by 30%鈥
鈥o its highest sustained level in 40 years鈥
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鈥nvesting in the roads, railways, research, and digital infrastructure that will power this country in the 21st Century.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Half of the UK鈥檚 拢600 billion infrastructure pipeline will be built and financed by the private sector.
And in financing public infrastructure鈥
鈥 remain committed to the use of public-private partnership where it delivers value for the taxpayer鈥
鈥nd genuinely transfers risk to the private sector.
But there is compelling evidence that the Private Finance Initiative does neither.
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We will honour existing contracts.
But the days of the public sector being a pushover, must end.
We will establish a centre of excellence to actively manage these contracts in the taxpayers鈥 interest starting in the health sector.
And we will go further.
I have never signed off a PFI contract as Chancellor鈥
鈥nd I can confirm today that I never will.
I can announce that the Government will abolish the use of PFI and PF2 for future projects.
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Mr Deputy Speaker,
We鈥檙e investing in our nation鈥檚 infrastructure鈥
鈥nd backing the technologies of the future鈥
鈥ut we know that the real engine of growth is enterprise.
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鈥ecause I want Britain to be one of the great winners of the technological revolution.
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We will always back enterprise and the market economy that underpins it鈥
鈥ecause we know it is the only way to deliver the high-wage, high-skill economy of the future.
As we finalise our departure from the EU鈥
鈥nd deliver a deal that secures Britain鈥檚 future trade
鈥e must unleash the investment that will drive our future prosperity.
So today I can announce a package of measures to stimulate business investment and send a message loud and clear to the rest of the world:
Britain is open for business:
I am increasing the Annual Investment Allowance, from 拢200,000 to 拢1m for two years, delivering on a longstanding ask of the British Chambers of Commerce;
I am providing a targeted relief for the cost of acquiring IP-rich businesses;
And introducing a permanent tax relief for new non-residential structures and buildings鈥
鈥artly funded by an adjustment in the special writing down rate for long-life assets from 8% to 6%鈥
鈥o better align the tax and accounting treatment of these assets;
To support British exports we will increase UKEF鈥檚 direct lending facility by up to 拢2bn;
We鈥檒l open the use of e-passport gates at Heathrow and other airports鈥
鈥urrently only available to EEA nationals鈥
鈥o include visitors from the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Japan;
And we will provide an additional 拢200m of funding to the British Business Bank to replace access to the European Investment Fund if needed;
We鈥檒l back another 10,000 entrepreneurs by extending Start-Up Loans funding to 2021;
And following representations from the FSB鈥
鈥 am extending the New Enterprise Allowance 鈥 providing mentoring and support for benefit claimants to get their business ideas off the ground.
And with thanks to my HF the Member for Thirsk and Malton鈥
鈥e鈥檙e working with the FCA on expanding access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for larger SMEs鈥
As well as backing businesses to invest and grow, we will also make sure British workers are equipped with the skills they need to thrive and prosper.
We have introduced a new system of T level vocational training鈥
鈥ave put the first 拢100m into the new National Retraining Scheme鈥
鈥nd through the apprenticeship levy we are delivering 3 million high quality apprenticeships in this Parliament.
But that system is paid for by employers鈥
鈥nd it has to work for employers.
So today in addition to the flexibilities I announced earlier this month鈥
鈥 can announce that for smaller firms taking on apprentices we will half the amount they have to contribute from 10% to 5%.
In total a 拢695m package to support apprenticeships.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
As our economy evolves in the digital age鈥
鈥o too must our tax system鈥
鈥o ensure that it remains fair and robust against abuse鈥
鈥nd that it raises the revenues we need to fund our public services.
The Employment Allowance was introduced to incentivise businesses to take on employees.
But at a flat rate of 拢3,000 per employer, it does not provide any real incentive for larger employers, So, from April 2020, we鈥檒l target it at small and medium businesses with an Employer NICs bill under 拢100k a year.
We will also bring the treatment of capital losses for the largest companies into line with that of income losses;
Mr Deputy Speaker,
We re-commit today to keeping family homes out of Capital Gains Tax鈥
鈥ut some aspects of Private Residence Relief extend it beyond that objective鈥
鈥nd provide relief for people who are not using the home as their main residence.
So from April 2020 we will limit Lettings Relief to properties where the owner is in shared occupancy with the tenant, and reduce the final period exemption from 18 months to 9 months.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I have received representations that I should abolish Entrepreneur鈥檚 Relief鈥
鈥nd put the savings towards funding our NHS commitments.
But I do not believe we can have sustainable public services unless we have a dynamic economy.
And encouraging entrepreneurs must be at the heart of our strategy.
So I will retain the Entrepreneurs Relief鈥
鈥ut to ensure it is going to genuine entrepreneurs I will extend the minimum qualifying period from 12 months to 2 years.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
In the period since the last Budget鈥
鈥e鈥檝e explored all avenues to address the cliff edge effect of VAT registration鈥
鈥ut our options are restricted by EU law.
We will continue to work on this issue as our future VAT regime becomes clear over the years ahead.
And in the meantime, to give small businesses certainty, and in response to representations from my HF the Member for Mid Worcestershire, the FSB and others, I will leave the threshold unchanged for a further two years.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The off payroll working rules - known as IR35 鈥 are designed to ensure fairness鈥
鈥o that individuals working side by side in a similar role for the same employer鈥
鈥ay the same employment taxes.
Last year, we changed the way these rules are enforced in the Public Sector.
But widespread non-compliance also exists in the private sector 鈥
So following our consultation, we will now apply the same changes to private sector organisations as well.
But after listening carefully to representations made during the consultation, we will delay these changes until April 2020鈥
鈥nd we will only apply them to large and medium-sized businesses.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
There is one stand-out example of where the rules of the game must evolve now if they are to keep up with the emerging Digital Economy:
Digital Platforms delivering search engines, social media, and online marketplaces have changed our lives, our
society, and our economy鈥
鈥ostly for the better.
But they also pose a real challenge for the sustainability and fairness of our tax system.
The rules have simply not kept pace with changing business models.
And it鈥檚 clearly not sustainable, or fair, that digital platform businesses can generate substantial value in the UK without paying tax here in respect of that business.
The UK has been leading attempts to deliver international corporate tax reform for the digital age.
A new global agreement is the best long-term solution.
But progress is painfully slow.
We cannot simply talk forever.
So we will now introduce a UK Digital Services Tax.
This will be a narrowly-targeted tax on the UK-generated revenues of specific digital platform business models.
It will be carefully designed to ensure it is established tech giants 鈥 rather than our tech start-ups - that shoulder the burden of this new tax.
It is important that I emphasise that this is not an online-sales tax on goods ordered over the internet鈥
鈥uch a tax would fall on consumers of those goods 鈥 and that is not our intention.
The Digital Services Tax will only be paid by companies which are profitable鈥
鈥nd which generate at least 拢500m a year in global revenues in the business lines in scope.
We will consult on the detail to make sure we get it right, and to ensure that the UK continues to be the best place in the world to start and scale-up a tech business.
The tax will come into effect in April 2020鈥
鈥nd is expected to raise over 拢400m a year.
In the meantime we will continue to work at the OECD and G20 to seek a globally agreed solution.
And if one emerges, we will consider adopting it in place of the UK Digital Services Tax.
But this step shows that we are serious about this reform.
Because, Mr Deputy Speaker, it is only right that these global giants, with profitable businesses in the UK, pay their fair share towards supporting our public services.
And Mr Deputy Speaker,
I am already looking forward to my call from the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
We鈥檙e updating the rules of the game鈥
鈥ut we must also make sure people play by the rules.
And today we continue the work of the past eight years鈥
鈥here we鈥檝e secured 拢185bn since 2010, which would otherwise have gone unpaid鈥.
鈥ith a package of measures today to further clamp down on tax avoidance, evasion, and unfair outcomes raising another 拢2bn over the next five years.
We鈥檒l make HMRC a preferred creditor in business insolvencies鈥
鈥o ensure that tax which has been collected on behalf of HMRC - is actually paid to HMRC.
We鈥檒l end the practice of purchasing services through overseas branches to avoid UK VAT鈥
鈥nd we鈥檒l crack down on insurance companies routing services through offshore territories.
And we鈥檒l stop our generous R&D tax credits system being abused by re-introducing a PAYE restriction for the small and medium sized companies scheme.
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Mr Deputy Speaker,
Investing in our infrastructure;
Backing the technologies of the future;
Supporting British businesses;
Updating our tax system for the digital age;
That is how we will deliver the high-wage high-skill economy of the future.
But we must also recognise that technological change will bring challenges 鈥 as well as opportunities鈥.
鈥nd there is one part of our economy that is currently confronting that challenge in spades:
Our High Streets.
Embedded in the fabric of our great cities, towns, and villages, the High Street lies at the heart of many communities.
And it is under pressure as never before as Britain adopts on-line shopping with greater alacrity than any other large economy.
So, if Britain鈥檚 High Streets are to remain at the centre of our community life鈥
鈥hey will need to adapt.
Today we support them to do so 鈥 responding to calls from across this House, especially from my RHF the Member for Putney, and my HFs the Members for Southport and Croydon South.
We will provide 拢675m of co-funding to create a Future High Streets Fund to support Councils to draw-up formal plans for the transformation of their High Streets鈥
鈥o invest in the improvements they need鈥
鈥nd to facilitate redevelopment of under-used retail and commercial areas into residential鈥
鈥elping with the housing challenge鈥
鈥nd delivering much needed footfall to High Street Businesses.
We鈥檒l consult on how modernisation of the Use Classes Order and CPO regime can help facilitate the transformation of the High Street;
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The change our High Streets face is irreversible and it will take them time to adapt to it.
But I know that many small retail businesses are struggling to cope with the high fixed costs of Business rates.
Since 2016 we have introduced business rates relief measures worth 拢12bn鈥
鈥nd many of these reliefs will have benefitted High Street businesses.
But today I can go further:
At the next revaluation in 2021, rateable values will adjust to reflect changes in rental values.
But I want to help retail businesses now.
So for the next two years, up to that Revaluation, for all retailers in England with a rateable value below 拢51,000, I will cut their business rates bill by one third.
That鈥檚 an annual saving of up to 拢8,000 for up to 90% of all independent shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes.
I will also extend the 拢1,500 local newspaper discount for a further year:
Mr Deputy Speaker, whatever the national press says, I have been assured of a warm welcome for my budget from the Royston Crow and the Keswick Reminder.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Local Authorities have long been able to provide discretionary business rates relief to other bodies 鈥 but not to themselves.
And so following representations from my HFs for North Cornwall and St Austell and Newquay鈥
鈥 am pleased to announce a new mandatory business rates relief for public lavatories鈥
鈥o that local authorities can, at last, relieve themselves.
For the convenience of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker,
鈥nd without wishing to get unduly bogged down in this subject鈥
鈥his relief will extend to any such facilities made available for public use, whether publicly or privately owned.
Honestly, Mr Deputy Speaker, this is virtually the only announcement in this Budget that hasn鈥檛 leaked.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
We can鈥檛 resolve the productivity challenge鈥
鈥r deliver the high standards of living the British people deserve鈥
鈥ithout fixing our housing market.
In last year鈥檚 Budget I launched a five-year, 拢44bn housing programme鈥
鈥o deliver the biggest increase in housing supply since 1970鈥.
鈥nd I abolished Stamp Duty for First Time Buyers on properties up to 拢300,000.
121,500 First Time Buyers have already benefited from our new relief鈥
鈥nd the number of First Time Buyers is at an eleven year high.
Today I am extending this relief to all first time buyers of shared ownership properties valued up to 拢500k鈥
鈥nd we will make this relief retrospective so any first time buyer who has made such a purchase since the last Budget will benefit.
But we have more to do鈥
鈥o I can announce today:
A further 拢500m for the Housing Infrastructure Fund, to unlock 650,000 homes;
The next wave of strategic partnerships with 9 Housing Associations which will deliver 13,000 homes across England;
Up to 拢1bn of British Business Bank guarantees to support the revival of SME housebuilders;
We are consulting on simplification of the process for conversion of commercial property into new homes;
And because we want to see parishes and neighbourhoods enabling more homes for sale to local people to buy, at prices they can afford鈥
鈥e鈥檙e providing funding to empower up to 500 neighbourhoods to allocate or permission land for housing鈥
鈥hrough the neighbourhood planning system鈥
鈥or sale at a discount to local people in perpetuity.
I am also grateful to my RHF the Member for West Dorset for his review of build-out rates 鈥 published today.
He concludes that the large housebuilders are not engaged in systematic speculative land-banking鈥
鈥nd makes several recommendations for reform of the planning system in respect of very large strategic housing sites.
And we will respond in full to his report in the New Year.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Meeting the productivity challenge鈥
鈥eans tapping the potential of every region and nation.
Our devolution agenda is giving power back to the people鈥
鈥nd today we go further to fire-up the Northern Powerhouse, fuel the Midlands Engine and back our regions across the UK.
We鈥檙e increasing the Transforming Cities Fund to 拢2.4bn
鈥nd providing an additional 拢90m to trial new models of smart transport, including 鈥榦n demand buses鈥欌
(鈥r DS, which I think in our day, we used to call taxis鈥)
We鈥檙e launching a competition for proposals for business led-Development Corporations;
We鈥檙e funding ten University Enterprise Zones;
There鈥檚 拢115m for Digital Catapults in the North East, Northern Ireland, and the South East鈥
鈥nd the Medicines Discovery Catapult in Alderley.
拢70m to develop the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre near Loughborough;
拢37m of additional development funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail鈥
鈥nd 拢10m for a new pilot in Manchester to support the self-employed to acquire new skills.
We鈥檙e backing a new Special Economic Area in South Tees鈥
鈥 and we鈥檙e providing 拢20m to further develop the plan for the critical central section of East-West rail between Oxford and Cambridge.
And here in our Capital we support the delivery of a further 19,000 homes by improving the Docklands Light Railway with Housing Infrastructure Fund money.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The decisions announced in this Budget means by 20-21 an additional鈥
拢950m for the Scottish Government;
拢550m for the Welsh Government.
And 拢320m for a Northern Ireland Executive. With larger sums to come over the spending review period due to our record NHS funding.
I can also announce funding for further City and Growth deals, including 拢150m for Tay Cities, 拢350m for Belfast, and 拢120m for North Wales鈥
鈥hile negotiations progress with Ayrshire, Mid Wales and Borderlands鈥
鈥nd will begin with Moray, Derry/Londonderry and Strabane as well.
I was pleased to be able to respond to a joint request from the members for Belfast North, Belfast East, and Belfast South to provide the city with 拢2m help towards the recovery of the city centre following the fire at the iconic Bank Buildings鈥
鈥nd we鈥檙e moving also forward with schools projects in Northern Ireland worth 拢300m, to increase the provision of shared and integrated cross community education.
And we鈥檝e agreed to the establishment of a working group to progress plans for short haul APD devolution.
To continue to support Scotland鈥檚 oil and gas industry 鈥
鈥e will maintain headline tax rates at their current levels鈥
鈥nd launch a call for evidence on our plan to make Scotland a global hub for decommissioning.
And finally, to support our vital fishing industry as we leave the EU鈥
鈥e鈥檒l invest 拢12m over the next three years in cutting edge fisheries technology and safety measures.
[political content removed] Delivering for all our proud nations鈥
鈥nd for all our English regions.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
We are driven by a determination to ensure that the next generation鈥
鈥ill be more prosperous than ours.
But we cannot secure our children鈥檚 future unless we secure our planet鈥檚 future鈥
So at this Budget I take further action with a package of measures, set out in the Budget Red Book
[political content removed]
鈥o I will provide 拢10m to deal with abandoned waste sites鈥
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Mr Deputy Speaker,
I also said at the Spring Statement that we must become a world leader in tackling the scourge of plastic littering our planet and our oceans.
Billions of disposable plastic drinks cups, cartons, bags and other items are used every year in Britain鈥
鈥onvenient for consumers鈥
鈥ut deadly for our wildlife and our oceans.
Where we cannot achieve re-use, we are determined to increase recycling鈥
鈥 so we will introduce a new tax on the manufacture and import of plastic packaging which contains less than 30% recycled plastic鈥
鈥ransforming the economics of sustainable packaging.
We will consult on the detail and implementation timetable.
I have also looked carefully at the case for introducing a levy on the production of disposable plastic cups鈥
鈥ot just for coffee, but for all types of beverage鈥
鈥 I have concluded that a tax in isolation would not, at this point, deliver a decisive shift from disposable to reusable cups across all beverage types.
I will monitor carefully the effectiveness of the action the takeaway drinks industry is already taking to reduce single-use plastics鈥
鈥nd I will return to this issue if sufficient progress is not made.
In parallel, my RHF the Environment Secretary will look to address this issue through the reform of the Packaging Producer Responsibility scheme.
Working across government, this ambitious package reflects our determination to lead the world in the crusade to rid the oceans and the environment of plastic waste.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
It鈥檚 only by dealing with our debts and tackling the long term challenges our country faces, that we can sustainably raise wages and living standards.
But I recognise that many people are feeling pressure on their household budgets now.
And because the hard work of the British people is paying off I am pleased to be able to announce today a series of measures to help families across Britain with the cost of living.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Turning first to duties鈥
鈥s my RHF the PM has already announced鈥
鈥e will freeze fuel duties for the ninth successive year鈥
鈥ringing the total saving to the average car driver to over 拢1,000鈥
鈥nd to the average van driver to over 拢2,500鈥
The tobacco duty escalator will continue to rise at inflation plus 2%鈥
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I have received numerous representations from my H and RHFs on one particular subject鈥
鈥nd in response I will be freezing beer and cider duty for the next year鈥
鈥eeping the cost of beer down for patrons of the Great British Pub
And, in response to the concerted lobbying of my Scottish Conservative colleagues鈥
鈥 will also freeze duty on spirits鈥
鈥o that we can all afford to raise a wee dram to Ruth Davidson on the arrival of baby Finn鈥
鈥aving 2p on a pint of beer, 1p on a pint of cider, and 30p on a bottle of Scotch or gin compared to the inflation assumption in the OBR forecast鈥
鈥hile proceeding with the usual RPI increases on wine.
As promised at Autumn Budget 2017, so-called white ciders will be taxed at a new higher rate.
From October next year, I can confirm that we will increase Remote Gaming Duty on online games of chance, to 21%鈥
鈥n order to fund the loss of revenue as we reduce FOBT stakes to 拢2.
From April 2020 APD will be indexed in line with inflation, but there will be no change in the duty rate for short- haul flights.
And the new 26-30 railcard, which I announced at Budget last year, will be available across the network by the end of the year鈥
鈥aving up to 4.4 million young people 1/3 off their fares.
And we launch a package of measures on affordable credit and support for credit unions, which is set out in detail in the Red Book.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
The switch to Universal Credit is a long overdue and necessary reform鈥
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This is not just a welfare measure鈥
鈥t is a major structural reform to our economy that will help to drive growth and employment in the years ahead鈥
鈥nd I pay tribute to my RHF the Member for Chingford without whose tenacity Universal Credit would never have seen the light.
But I recognise the genuine concerns among many H and RHFs about two issues:
First, the implementation of this programme.
It is an enormous undertaking鈥
鈥nd we have always been clear we want the migration process to be as smooth as possible.
I have already delivered nearly 拢3.5 billion to help with the transition鈥
鈥ncluding a 拢1.5bn package of support at last year鈥檚 Budget.
Today I can go further鈥
鈥ith a package of additional measures worth a 拢1 billion over 5 years鈥
鈥nabling my RHF Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to introduce additional protections as existing welfare claimants move onto UC鈥
鈥nd she will announce details when she introduces the Managed Migration Regulations later this year.
Secondly, I have heard the concerns about the rates and allowances within the design of the system.
In my first Autumn Statement I reduced the UC taper rate from 65% to 63%.
And today I can tell the House I am increasing work allowances in Universal Credit by 拢1,000 per annum鈥
鈥t a cost of 拢1.7bn annually once roll-out is complete
鈥enefitting 2.4 million working-families-with-children and people with disabilities by 拢630 per year.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Universal Credit is here to stay, and we are putting in the funding it needs to make it a success.
Because [political content removed]- we believe that work should always pay.
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Delivering higher wages for those in work is core to my mission as Chancellor鈥
Under [political content removed] the poorest 20% have seen their real incomes grow faster than the richest 20% 鈥
鈥nd the proportion of jobs that are low paid is at its lowest level for 20 years鈥
鈥hanks to the National Living Wage introduced [political content removed] in 2016.
From April the National Living Wage will rise again, by 4.9%, from 拢7.83 to 拢8.21鈥
鈥anding a full-time worker a further 拢690 annual pay increase鈥
鈥nd taking his or her total pay-rise, since the introduction of the National Living Wage, to over 拢2,750 a year.
We also accept the Low Pay Commission鈥檚 recommendations on National Minimum Wage rates鈥
鈥upporting young people and apprentices with further above inflation increases.
The current remit of the LPC is for the National Living Wage to reach 60% of Median Earnings by 2020, subject to sustained economic growth.
But next year we will need to give the LPC a new remit beyond 2020.
We will want to be ambitious鈥
鈥ith the ultimate objective of ending low pay in the UK鈥
鈥ut we will also want to be careful 鈥 protecting employment for lower paid workers.
So we will engage responsibly with employers, the TUC, and the LPC itself over the coming months鈥
鈥athering evidence and views鈥
鈥o ensure we get this right - and I will confirm the final remit at the Budget next year.
But as well as making work pay鈥
鈥e want working people to keep more of the money they earn.
When we came into office the personal allowance stood at 拢6,475鈥
鈥nd the Higher Rate Threshold at 拢43,875.
In April, I raised the personal allowance to 拢11,850鈥
鈥nd the Higher Rate Threshold to 拢46,350鈥
鈥s steps towards our manifesto commitments of 拢12,500 and 拢50,000 respectively by 2020.
Those manifesto commitments were, of course, made before our new funding pledge to the NHS鈥
鈥nd I have received representations that the least painful way for taxpayers to contribute to increased NHS funding鈥
鈥ould be to abandon our manifesto pledges and freeze the Personal Allowance and the Higher Rate Threshold at current levels.
But let me reassure the House that 鈥 [political content removed]- my idea of ending austerity does not involve increasing people鈥檚 tax bills.
And the improvement we have delivered in the public finances means that, based on the OBR鈥檚 forecast, published today鈥
鈥 do not need to do so.
I can therefore confirm today that I will meet our manifesto commitments in April 2020.
Raising the Personal Allowance to 拢12,500 and the Higher Rate Threshold to 拢50,000.
Before indexing both in line with inflation from 21-22.
But our careful management of the economy allows me to go further:
So I will raise both the Personal Allowance and the Higher Rate Threshold to these levels from April 2019鈥
鈥elivering our manifesto commitments one year early.
A tax cut for 32 million people鈥
鈥β130 in the pocket of a typical basic rate taxpayer鈥
鈥eaning since 2015 we鈥檝e taken 1.7m out of tax altogether鈥
鈥nd nearly 1m out of higher rate tax.
鈥nd Mr Deputy Speaker,
As a result of the announcements I have made today a single parent, receiving Universal Credit, and working 35 hours a week on National Living Wage will benefit by 拢890 next year.
The hard work of the British people paying off 鈥
鈥n hard cash in their pockets.
We have turned an important corner
Now we must pull together鈥
鈥o build the bright, prosperous future that is within Britain鈥檚 grasp鈥
鈥f we choose to seize it:
Embracing change鈥
鈥ot hiding from it鈥
鈥uilding on the inherent strength of the British economy鈥
鈥nd the indomitable spirit of the British people.
Mr Deputy Speaker鈥
[political content removed]
鈥usterity is coming to an end 鈥 but discipline will remain.
This Government is delivering on the British people鈥檚 priorities鈥
鈥upporting our public services鈥
鈥nvesting in Britain鈥檚 future鈥
鈥eeping our taxes low
and getting our debt down鈥
[political content removed]
We are at a turning point in our history鈥
鈥nd we must resolve to go forwards, not backwards鈥
[political content removed]
鈥nd work together to build a Britain we can all be proud of.
I commend this Statement to the House.