The digital pound

A new consultation has been published jointly by HM Treasury and the Bank of England to consider the launch of a potential digital pound, or central bank digital currency (CBDC). The possible new digital pound has also been referred to as ‘digital sterling’ and ‘Britcoin’.

The digital pound would be a new type of money issued by the Bank of England for individuals and businesses to use for day-to-day spending in-store or online and to make payments. The digital pound would be denominated in sterling and its value would be stable, just like banknotes. £10 in digital pounds would always have the same value as a £10 banknote.

If introduced a digital pound would be interchangeable with cash and bank deposits, complementing (not replacing) cash. The Bank of England has committed to continue to issue cash for as long as people want to keep using it.

The digital pound would not be a cryptocurrency or cryptoasset. As opposed to cryptocurrencies, which are issued privately, the digital pound would be issued by the Bank of England and be backed by the Government.

Whilst no decision has yet been made, other countries around the world are considering similar proposals including the Eurozone and the US and China.

HM Treasury has stated that a decision about implementation of a digital pound will be taken around the middle of the decade and will be based on future developments in money and payments. The earliest stage at which the digital pound could be launched would be the second half of the decade.

Source: Other Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0100

More Posts

Breaking even – checking the numbers

In previous newsfeeds we have described how you can calculate the level of turnover you need to create in order to meet all your costs whether they be fixed costs (rent, rates etc.,) or variable costs (goods you need to buy to convert into goods you sell).

For example, if your fixed costs are £50,000 per annum and your variable costs are 25% of your turnover, the annual turnover you need to breakeven will be £200,000. The formula is:

Annual fixed costs divided by 25 (the gross profit)

Bereavement Support Payment

The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you can claim will depend on your relationship to the person who died and when you make your claim.

Your payments will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

If you were receiving Child Benefit when your partner died (or did not get it but were entitled to it), you will get the higher rate.

This is made up of:

a first payment of £3,500;

Tax codes for employees

The P9X form is used to notify employers of the tax codes to use for employees. The latest version of the form has been published and shows the tax codes to use from 6 April 2023. The form states that the basic personal allowance for the tax year starting 6 April 2023 will, as expected, be £12,570 (£12,570 in 2022-23) and this means that the tax code for emergency use will remain at 1257L.

The basic rate limit will be £37,700 (£37,700 in 2022-23) except for those defined as Scottish taxpayers

Properties not let at commercial rates

There are special rules where a property is let at less than a commercial rate or isn’t let on commercial terms. These rules also apply if a property is occupied rent free or at less than a commercial rate, for example, a property is occupied by a family member at a reduced or nil rent.

In these circumstances, HMRC can take the view that unless the landlord charges a full market rent for a property and imposes normal market lease conditions, it is unlikely that the expenses of the property are

Send Us A Message