CIOT/IFS debate: What should be in the business tax roadmap?

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The new government has promised a business tax ‘roadmap’ for the Parliament to be published before the end of the year. The aim is to give businesses more certainty about investment decisions. But what should be in it?

Is stability on rates and allowances sufficient or is more needed for the UK to be competitive internationally? Are changes needed to R&D tax reliefs, treatment of debt or the taxation of small businesses? What impact should we expect international negotiations to have on how multinationals are taxed?

Additionally, how detailed should it be? What is the right balance between providing certainty to business and giving ministers flexibility to respond to events? Are there lessons we can learn from earlier tax roadmaps?

Our expert panel brought together tax expertise, corporate insight and political experience, including the minister responsible for the last two business tax roadmaps, to consider these important questions.

Our panel: 

• Rt. Hon. David Gauke, Head of Public Policy at Macfarlanes LLP and Treasury minister 2010-17
• Dominic Mathon, Head of Tax and Treasury, RELX
• Helen Miller, Deputy Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies
• Ellen Milner, Director of Public Policy, Chartered Institute of Taxation

This event was chaired by Charlotte Barbour, President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.