R&D News & Events

Osborne finally gets the credit - £1 billion more for Scottish manufacturing

money perspex

On the day that George Osborne announced a commitment to provide £40 billion in loans to small businesses, the R&D tax credit scheme yet again crept under the radar with changes that should help unlock the £1billion due to Scottish businesses.

In last year's Budget, the programme's benefits were increased by two thirds over two stages. This increase is of the same magnitude as dropping the top tax rate to 17.5%.

The £1billion remains unclaimed by manufacturing businesses each year because of a lack of understanding of what the rewards are for.

The UK's largest single applicant, Jumpstart, reported from its Edinburgh base that, out of 100 client companies surveyed after last year's Budget, 92 did not claim because they did not think they were eligible - yet they received money after Jumpstart helped them with their claim.

The news that the credit is likely to be changed to an above the line credit will remove the perception that this "tax benefit" is a matter best dealt with by financiers rather than technologists.

Technology and taxation are an unusual combination and most companies feel inclined to ask for guidance from their financiers - yet it is the technology and its eligibility that will drive that £1 billion into Scottish pockets.

This above the line change is subtle, but it will appeal to business people as they see their P&L change as a result of the innovation they have shown in the technical challenges their companies face on a day to day basis.

We now know that Osborne gets the credit and let's hope that manufacturing businesses make sure they do too.

Posted on Monday, 26th March, 2012