From today, changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) take effect - increasing inheritance tax liabilities for thousands of family-run firms when they are passed from one generation to the next.
Plant-hire is particularly exposed, forcing many to divert cash away from investment today, selling assets or taking on debt just to meet tax bills.
Ever fighting on behalf of the sector, Steve Mulholland, CEO of the Construction Plant-hire Association (pictured) said: “We are disappointed to see these damaging changes to Business Property Relief come into effect. This policy will be massively detrimental to the family businesses that form the backbone of the construction supply chain, forcing them to delay investment and hiring decisions, which ultimately reduces supply.
“By piling costs on, the Government risks jeopardising further its housebuilding target of 1.5 million homes and Infrastructure plans. Only by reversing these changes and other tax increases that directly affect business can the Government get Britain building again, securing the jobs and growth the country needs.”
A sizeable proportion of Executive Hire Show visitors - thus the UK hire sector at large - are family-based, independent hire firms, so it will be interesting to see if any of the other trade associations speak up on the matter.