Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.

In this special edition, we’re joined by experts from across ICAEW’s tax and public sector team to preview the government’s Autumn Budget 2021 and Spending Review, which takes place on Wednesday 27 October.

Normally one of the biggest financial events of the year in its own right, this Budget has assumed even greater significance, being the first since the easing of lockdown measures and the tapering down of a number of key Covid support schemes, and also because the same day will see the first three-year government Spending Review in six years.

Will Rishi Sunak produce any tax rabbits from his hat, or has the biggest policy announcement already come in the form of the new Health and Social Care Levy? How much headroom does the Chancellor have to act? And what of longstanding issues such as Brexit, Making Tax Digital and the net zero agenda?

Links to resources discussed in the show:
- ICAEW Budget 2021 hub.
- Webinar: Tax Faculty Autumn Budget 2021 Update.
- PM confirms 1.25% increase to NIC and dividend tax rates.
- Government to fast-track rules enacting healthcare levy.
- Webinar: MTD for ITSA - back to basics and myth busting.
- MTD ITSA and basis period reform postponed.
- Use Budget to speed up tax modernisation, says ICAEW.
- Freeports: business needs greater clarity.
- COP26: acting together on climate.
- Use Spending Review to establish a "financial platform for delivery".
- IFS pre-Budget report warns of difficult choices for the Chancellor.
- Chart of the week: UK public debt profile.

Host:
Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday

Guests:
- Alison Ring Director, Public Sector & Taxation, ICAEW.
- Frank Haskew, Head of Tax, ICAEW.
- Anita Monteith Technical Lead & Senior Policy Adviser, Tax, ICAEW.
- Martin Wheatcroft, an adviser on public finances who works closely with the ICAEW Public Sector team.
 
Producer:
Natalie Chisholm

Episode published: Tues 19 October 2021
Episode recorded: Weds 13 October 2021