Thoughts on the 2021 spring Budget

The timing of the Budget speech is not ideal from Taxation’s perspective – surely the Treasury should know that by now. A Wednesday Budget makes it all but impossible to include instant commentary in the issue that appears that week. We are able though to publish online so if readers have not already done so I recommend a look at Allison Plager’s summary on taxation.co.uk at tinyurl.com/dt9545m9 or Tolley’s more expansive report at tinyurl.com/4hvdbcsw.

But the delay in being able to cover the Budget in print does at least give a chance for reflection. I have often found that it has taken me a day or two to understand fully what some of the announcements really mean. This Budget has been no exception and I am pleased to be able to share with you some of my observations in this article. I...