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The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, was only appointed on Friday 14 October 2022. However, following another turbulent weekend, the Chancellor made not one but two important statements on 17 October 2022 about the future of the economy. The first, an emergency televised statement to the nation and the second, a statement to MPs in the House of Commons.

HM Treasury had prefaced these events with a short press release stating that the announcements followed the Prime Minister's statement on Friday, and further conversations between the Prime Minister and the Chancellor over the weekend, to ensure sustainable public finances underpin economic growth.

The previous Prime Minister’s statement on Friday had confirmed that the planned increase in Corporation Tax that was set to come into effect in April 2023 will now go ahead. This move represented a second major U-turn by the government following the mini-budget. The first U-turn being the announcement to scrap the proposed removal of the 45p personal tax rate from April 2023.

The Corporation Tax main rate will now increase from 19% to 25% on 1 April 2023 for companies with profits over £250,000. A Small Profits Rate (SPR) of 19% will apply for companies with profits of up to £50,000. There will also be a marginal rate of Corporation Tax for companies making profits of between £50,000 and £250,000 meaning an incremental rise in the Corporation Tax rate from 19% to 25% depending on how much profit a firm makes.

On Monday (17 October 2022), the Chancellor went even further and announced a reversal of almost all of the remaining tax measures set out in the Growth Plan (23 September 2022) by the previous Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, that have not yet been legislated for in parliament.

In his emergency statement, the Chancellor confirmed that the following tax policies will no longer be taken forward:

• Cutting the basic rate of income tax to 19% from April 2023. This means that the basic rate of income tax will remain at 20%. The Chancellor said that any reduction in the basic rate will now only take place when economic conditions allow for it and a change is affordable.
• Cutting dividends tax by 1.25% from April 2023. This means that the 1.25% increase, which took effect in April 2022, will remain in place.
• The moves to simplify IR35 rules, including the repeal of the 2017 and 2021 reforms will not go ahead. The reforms will now remain in place.
• The planned introduction of a new VAT-free shopping scheme for non-UK visitors to Great Britain will not go ahead.
• Freezing alcohol duty rates from 1 February 2023 for a year. This will see the price of beer, cider, wine and spirits increase.

The changes are estimated to be worth around £32 billion a year.

It was also announced that the Energy Price Guarantee Scheme that came into effect on 1 October 2022 to help tackle the energy crisis and was set to remain in place for two years will now only be guaranteed until April 2023. There is also a parallel Energy Bill Relief Scheme to help cut energy bills for non-domestic energy customers, including UK businesses, the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals that was due to remain in place until 31 March 2023. HM Treasury has announced that a new review will be launched to consider how to support households and businesses with energy bills after April 2023.

The government has confirmed the move to reverse the 1.25% rise in National Insurance contributions (NICs) that came into effect at the start of the 2022-23 tax year on 6 April 2022 remains in place. This will see the reversal of the NIC increase from 6 November 2022 and will cover Class 1 (both employee and employer), Class 1A , Class 1B and Class 4 (self-employed) NICs. It was also confirmed that the ring-fenced Health and Social Care Levy of 1.25% due to be introduced from April 2023 will not now go ahead as originally planned.

The increase in the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) nil rate band to £250,000 (from £125,000), effective since 23 September 2022 will also remain in place as will the increased SDLT bands payable for first-time buyers.

The increase in the Annual Investment Allowance threshold (to £1 million) will also remain in place.

The Chancellor is expected to deliver a full autumn statement on 17 November 2022.

The Prime Minister, Liz Truss delivered a hastily arranged press conference on Friday 14 October. At the press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed that she had sacked the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng after less than six weeks in office. This was done in order to try and deal with the market and political turmoil that had increased significantly following the Growth Plan, commonly referred to as the mini-budget, on 23 September.

The Prime Minister also used the press conference to confirm that the planned increase in Corporation Tax that was set to come into effect in April 2023 will now go ahead. This move represents a second major U-turn by the government following the mini-budget. The first U-turn being the announcement to scrap the proposed removal of the 45p tax rate from April 2023.

The Corporation Tax main rate will now increase from 19% to 25% on 1 April 2023 for companies with profits over £250,000. A Small Profits Rate (SPR) of 19% will apply for companies with profits of up to £50,000. There will also be a marginal rate of Corporation Tax for companies making profits of between £50,000 and £250,000 meaning an incremental rise in the Corporation Tax rate from 19% to 25% depending on how much profit a firm makes.

The Prime Minister accepted that elements of September’s Growth Plan went further and faster than markets were expecting. However, there was no sign of an apology for the recent economic crisis and her position is appearing increasingly untenable.

It was also confirmed that the Prime Minister has appointed Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer and he becomes the fourth person to hold the position this year. Mr Hunt has held a number of Cabinet positions in the past including foreign minister and health secretary and was a previous leadership contender.

The new Chancellor will deliver the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on 31 October, detailing action to get debt falling as a percentage of GDP over the medium term. The Corporation Tax increase is expected to raise around £18 billion a year although it remains to be seen if there will be further tax increases and spending cuts.

If you turned 18 on or after 1 September 2020 there may be cash waiting for you in a dormant Child Trust Fund (CTF). If your children recently turned 18 you should also check if they have claimed the money to which they are entitled. The actual amount of money depends on many factors but averages some £2,100.

Children born after 31 August 2002 and before 3 January 2011 were entitled to a CTF account provided they met the necessary conditions. These funds were invested in long-term saving accounts for newly born children. HMRC has confirmed that there are many thousands of teenagers that have turned 18 and not yet claimed the cash to which they are entitled.

HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said:

'Teenagers could have a pot of money waiting for them worth thousands of pounds and not even realise it. We want to help you access your savings and the money you’re entitled to. To find out more search ‘Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK.'

An estimated 6.3 million CTF accounts were set up throughout the duration of the scheme, containing about £9 billion. If a parent or guardian was not able to set up an account for their child, HMRC opened a savings account on the child’s behalf.

If you are over 18 and already know who your CTF provider is, you can contact them directly to access your cash. This might be a bank, building society or other savings provider. If this information has been lost or is unavailable you can check and track down your provider online using a simple online tool created by HMRC.