Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 31 MARCH 2025

The Spring Statement 2025

Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Contributor
Macfarlanes LLP

Macfarlanes LLP

Macfarlanes is a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and...

View firm profile
Explore more from Macfarlanes LLP

The original intention was that this week's Spring Statement was to be a non-event. Rachel Reeves had made it clear that she would do just one fiscal event a year – an autumn budget at which the big decisions.

United KingdomTax
David Gauke
David Gauke
Clare Wilson
Clare Wilson
Rhiannon Kinghall Were
Rhiannon Kinghall Were

The original intention was that this week's Spring Statement was to be a non-event. Rachel Reeves had made it clear that she would do just one fiscal event a year – an autumn budget at which the big decisions on the public finances would be made.

The Office for Budget Responsibility is required to produce an economic and fiscal forecast twice a year, but the spring forecast need not be accompanied by any policy measures. The Chancellor would get to her feet in the House of Commons, announce the OBR's numbers, deliver her economic message and sit down.

It has not quite worked out like that. At her last Budget, Reeves gave herself next to nothing in terms of headroom against her fiscal rules. Unless she was moderately lucky (and she has not been), there was always a good chance that the OBR would declare that her rules were set to be broken. Measures would have to be taken to ensure her rules were complied with. As a consequence, a Labour chancellor is in the

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

UK ‘Windfall’ Bank Tax Would Worsen An Already Complex System

UK banks face the prospect of a new windfall tax as campaigners push for additional levies on strong reported profits, while industry leaders warn of potential consequences for lending, investment, and the UK's position as a global financial centre. This analysis examines the practical implications of adding another layer to an already complex sector-specific tax regime that includes corporation tax, banking surcharge, and bank levy.
United KingdomTax
RPC
RPC
Article

Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Clearance And Form 706-NA

UK executors and beneficiaries dealing with US assets face significant delays in obtaining IRS Transfer Certificates, with waiting times now extending to two or three years. This comprehensive FAQ addresses the critical questions surrounding Form 706-NA applications, US estate tax requirements, and the practical challenges of administering estates containing US shares and investments when the deceased was not a US citizen.
GlobalTax
Lester Aldridge LLP
Lester Aldridge LLP
Article

Transfer Pricing Enquiries: HMRC’s Approach And Recent Cases

Transfer pricing litigation in the UK has historically been rare, but recent procedural cases reveal HMRC's increasingly aggressive approach to enquiries. With average enquiry durations now exceeding 40 months and transfer pricing yield surging to £3.4bn, understanding the legal boundaries of information requests and closure notice applications has become critical for multinational groups facing contentious disputes.
United KingdomTax
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Reward Autumn Update 2026

The autumn 2026 edition of the Reward update examines significant proposals to reform directors' remuneration reporting requirements, including changes to the DRR and removal of the annual shareholder advisory vote. It also covers FCA consultation on solo-regulated firms' remuneration, the impact of Employment Rights Act changes on share plans, equal pay reform proposals, and updates to AIM rules affecting corporate governance and remuneration disclosure.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Investment Management Update - September 2026

The Financial Conduct Authority has released a comprehensive package of regulatory updates and findings covering investment management, wealth management, and consumer protection. Key developments include reforms to MiFID costs and charges disclosures, remuneration code changes, AIFM regime overhauls, and detailed reviews of firms' Consumer Duty compliance, financial crime controls, and governance frameworks.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Broadcom/VMware: EU General Court Again Weighs In Favour Of Commission’s Broad Information Gathering Powers

The European Commission's broad information-gathering powers under EU competition law have been reinforced by the General Court's dismissal of Broadcom's challenge to document production requests. The case raises critical questions about the extent to which the Commission can compel production of documents held overseas that are subject to legal professional privilege in other jurisdictions, particularly communications with non-EU qualified external counsel.
European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Investing In Infrastructure: When Public Policy Meets Private Capital

Governments across the UK and Europe have announced ambitious infrastructure programmes they cannot fund alone, creating significant opportunities for private capital. As public authorities shift from subsidy-based models to regulatory reform, investors must navigate an increasingly complex web of concurrent regulatory regimes - from merger control and national security screening to data protection and PFI handback obligations - to successfully deploy capital in this evolving landscape.
European UnionGovernment, Public Sector
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Investing In Infrastructure: The Capital Stack

The infrastructure capital stack is undergoing significant transformation as equity markets consolidate at the top while creating mid-market opportunities, private debt emerges as a bankability indicator for maturing sectors, and fund finance structures become increasingly sophisticated. This evolution is reshaping how capital is deployed, structured, and exited across the infrastructure investment landscape...
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Sponsored Repo And US Treasury Central Clearing – What The Buy-side Needs To Know

The US Treasury repo market faces a fundamental transformation as SEC rules mandate central clearing for most Treasury repurchase transactions by June 2027. This regulatory shift is accelerating buy-side adoption of "sponsored repo" arrangements, requiring firms to navigate new operational frameworks, documentation requirements, and clearing relationships. Understanding the mechanics of sponsored membership and preparing for compliance will be critical for buy-side participants seeking to maintain efficient
United StatesFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP