Easing the tax burden on businesses should be Andy Burnham's top priority on taking office, nearly 57% of 875 accountants polled by ICAEW said, with business taxation ranking as the most urgent issue for the new administration. Reducing regulation in the prime minister's first 100 days drew support from 43% of respondents, while 36% favoured incentives for business investment.
The findings land as Burnham prepares to unveil extensive devolution plans next week giving mayors a share of income tax revenue — pledges the Resolution Foundation estimated will cost over £2 billion by 2029/30. Only 14% of polled accountants said further devolution would positively affect their organisations.
Separately, the government is actively considering replacing council tax and stamp duty, weighing a proportional property tax against a land value tax. Lord Blunkett warned a land value tax would be "politically problematic" and could not happen in the immediate future, even as more than 100 Labour MPs back an overhaul.