Spring Statement 2025: Summary of Key Consultations

With no new tax changes announced in the Spring Statement, there were several consultations issued, we’ve summarised the key points to be aware of below:

R&D Tax Relief Advance Clearances:  

The consultation explores options to reduce errors and fraud in relation to Research & Development (R&D) tax relief claims.  

This will allow taxpayers to apply for clearance ahead of making an R&D claim. HMRC will then be able to confirm whether the claim is eligible for relief ahead of the taxpayer making a claim for relief.  

Certainty is then provided to taxpayers that a claim will qualify for R&D relief.

Consultation is open until 26 May 2025.  

Advance Tax Certainty for Major Projects:  

In the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government announced its’ Corporation Tax Roadmap, in which it was consulting on a new process to provide increased tax certainty in advance of major projects. 

This is to improve business confidence in decision making ahead of major projects.  

Consultation is open until 17 June 2025.

Reform of behavioural penalties:  

This consultation explores options to simplify the ways in which penalties are calculated and applied. This will also provide a stronger deterrent for those who deliberately avoid paying what they owe. 

HMRC would like to simplify and strengthen behavioural penalties as follows:  

• Simplifying the decision making process to determine the quality of disclosure 
• Strengthening how penalties apply to the most serious failure, inaccuracies and repeated instance of these 
• Simplifying offshore penalties 
• Simplifying and strengthening penalty suspension 

Consultation is open until 18 June 2025. 

Promoters of Tax Avoidance:  

The Government is seeking views on a range of new measures to close in on promoters of tax avoidance.  

These include proposals that would give HMRC additional powers and stronger sanctions, allowing HMRC to more efficiently and effectively disrupt the business model promoters rely on. 

Consultation is open until 18 June 2025. 

More information on these consultations and details of how to provide a response to HMRC can be found at the Government website – Spring Statement 2025 tax related documents – GOV.UK.

Read the full Spring Statement Guide

Today’s Spring Statement saw the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, deliver her second fiscal statement following her 2024 Autumn Budget. She announced a £14bn repair package amid ongoing global uncertainty and a lowered growth forecast from the OBR. 

While there were no new policy announcements in today’s Spring Statement, we revisit the important changes from the 2024 Budget, covering Making Tax Digital and Employment Taxes. Read more here.