BRave Business and The Tax Factor

Robert Salter and Tom Goddard look at the now infamous “donkey field” connected to Keir Starmer. With politicians’ tax affairs under the spotlight yet again, Robert explains why the arrangement looks more like straightforward trust planning than a scandal, and sometimes what makes the front page isn’t really much of a tax dodge at all. The pair explore what this story says about public attitudes to politicia...

This week Matt Crawford and Suzanne Briggs discuss the Resolution Foundation’s Budget proposals including a new salt and sugar tax and what that could mean for already rising food prices. Matt also runs through some draft legislation that’s been published, which some may find heavy-handed given how tricky the rules can be.

Suzanne takes us through a case in the Upper Tribunal, Executors of Elborne & others v HMRC, w...

This week on The Tax Factor, Malli Kini and Stefanie Tremain show why precision matters in both politics and tax with Nigel Farage learning the hard way that there’s a big difference between “I” and “we.”

The conversation then turns to the ICAEW’s warning about Government plans to regulate tax agents. While the idea might sound straightforward, could it actually make the system less eff...

This week on The Tax Factor, Rehana Earle and Ele Theochari talk about the fallout from Angela Rayner’s resignation and what it says about the complexity of the UK tax system. Was it a simple SDLT mistake or something more? They also look at Labour’s revived debate on wealth taxes and Rachel Reeves’ cautious approach to reform ahead of November’s Budget.

HMRC has an increasing focus not just on the users of ...

The Tax Factor is back for its second episode of the season. This week, Neil Insull is joined by Annie Hughes for her debut appearance, as they look at the top tax stories making the news: we finally have a date for the Autumn Budget.

But the real question is what the Chancellor might have in store. Could inheritance tax be in the firing line? Will we see changes to the VAT threshold or even VAT rates themselves? And with...

The Tax Factor is back after its summer break!

In this episode, Blick Rothenberg CEO Nimesh Shah is joined by Tom Goddard for his debut appearance on the podcast. Together, they discuss how frozen tax thresholds and fiscal drag have quietly become one of the Government’s most powerful tools for raising revenue.

The conversation also looks ahead to the upcoming Autumn Budget, exploring the options and ...

Turn the dial to the 1980s for a special FM broadcast of The Tax Factor. Styled on London’s famous talk radio station The Capital Gains Breakfast Show takes you through one of the most transformative decades for tax policy. With bold reforms, headline-grabbing Budgets, and the economic legacy of the Thatcher years, we bring the eighties tax landscape to life - complete with the feel of local radio news and updates.

See omnystu...

It’s the 1960s - the Beatles are topping the charts, London is swinging, and tax is making headlines. Join us for a lively "pirate radio-inspired" edition of The Tax Factor broadcasting from just off the Frinton coat and tune in to the decade of change on Swinging Radio Tax Factor. From the introduction of new tax rules to the cultural shifts that shaped finance and society, this episode captures the energy of the sixties whi...

Step back to the 1940s with our special "newsreel edition" of The Taxation Factor. To mark Blick Rothenberg’s 80th anniversary, we revisit the year of Blick Rothenberg’s founding that shaped modern taxation in post-war Britain. Presented in the style of a cinema newsreel, this episode explores the policies, challenges, and innovations that defined the era - from rebuilding the economy to the birth of the welfare state.

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As the current series of The Tax Factor draws to a close, Nimesh Shah and Heather Self serve up a final episode looking back over the last 12 months. From the arrival of a new Labour government to the twists and turns of the Chancellor’s fiscal manoeuvrings, it’s been a year of tax drama, policy pivots, and HMRC under the microscope.

There’s a sense of déjà vu as we head into the summer break - more ...

This week on The Tax Factor Neil Insull and Suzanne Briggs look at Reform’s controversial proposal for a 'Britannia Card' that would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250k fee to move to the UK and live exempt from all tax, and a significant rise in HMRC investigations into high earners, signalling a more aggressive compliance strategy.

Elsewhere, the tax gap among SMEs is growing - what’s causing it, and how might it...

This week on The Tax Factor Rehana Earle and Ele Theochari look at possible U-turns on the non-dom regime, with Rachel Reeves reportedly reconsidering inheritance tax on global assets amid City concerns.

They also discuss the High Court ruling that allows VAT on private school fees, rising tax receipts including a 14% hike in IHT, and a delayed Tax Freedom Day as fiscal drag bites. Plus, we revisit Making Tax Digital, wit...

This week Roger Holman and Neil Insull discuss the Chancellor's Spending Review and pose the critical question on everyone's mind: "Where is the money coming from?" As opposition parties warn of a "cruel summer" filled with speculation. Roger and Neil also examine the logic and fairness of recovering Winter Fuel payments from pensioners through the tax system. Will HMRC really pursue thousands of small debts?

They also look at the ...

This week on The Tax Factor, Ola Adigun and Robert Salter ask where the money might come from to fund the major Government spending pledges we've been hearing about. With little room for manoeuvre, Robert suggests the Chancellor may revisit measures such as fuel duty, car benefits, and road tax and could there be a U-turn on previous manifesto commitments?

Meanwhile, HMRC continues to battle poor public perception. Will the new out...

It’s a week of big questions and Nimesh Shah and Tomm Adams are on hand to dig into them.

Why does HMRC think clawing back Winter Fuel Allowance from wealthier pensioners via self-assessment is even remotely workable?

Has anyone noticed fuel duty has remained frozen for nearly 15 years?

Why did Walkers take their Popadom VAT case to the Upper Tribunal?

As politicians across the spectrum line up to make expensive promises...

This week on The Tax Factor, Heather Self and Roger Holman ask whether Angela Rayner should stop auditioning for Chancellor after her tax policy ideas were leaked and heavily critiqued.

Meanwhile, HMRC is getting heat from all directions: the National Audit Office questions its handling of wealthy taxpayers, and the Public Accounts Committee says the tax system is spiralling into complexity, pu...

This week on The Tax Factor, Rehana Earle and Neil Insull discuss the closure of the historic Beales department store after 144 years, blamed on rising taxes and a worsening business climate. With the CIPD warning of a prolonged drop in employer confidence, what does the future hold for the UK labour market?

Next, they examine a surprising tribunal victory, where a taxpayer successfully argued that their luxury property, complete w...

In this episode we look at the topic of female entrepreneurs: why do women make great entrepreneurs, what differentiates them from male founders and what specific support do they typically need? Which sectors do they gravitate toward and why do they often have challenges securing funding?

Joining Declan to debate all of this are Sarah Austin, Founder & Managing Director of the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards, and Sam ...

This week, we celebrate the retirement of Martin Reynard, pensions expert and longstanding Blick Rothenberg veteran, after nearly 40 years in the profession, including over three decades with the firm.

Martin reflects on the evolution of pensions and why, despite decades of change, they remain one of the most powerful and essential tools in financial planning today. We look at why pensions still matter from tax relief and employer ...