The Chancellor yesterday afternoon announced the 2018 Autumn Budget, below provides a brief overview of the relevant NHS and VAT related statements:

NHS 10-Year Plan
Due for publication shortly, however the chancellor has provided an insight into the new Mental Health Crisis Service:

• Comprehensive mental health support in every major A&E Dept
• A children and young people’s crisis service team in every part of the country
• More mental health ambulances
• More safe havens in the community and a 24-hour mental health crisis hotline

Local Authorities
Green Paper on Social Care due for publication shortly including:

• £650 million additional funding for social care (2019/20)
• £85 million additional funding for children’s social care programmes

Private Finance Initiatives (PFI/PF2)

• Existing contracts to be honoured, however no new projects to be signed off under current government. A Centre of Excellence is to be established to oversee the existing agreements to ensure in the best interest of the public purse.

VAT Registration

• The VAT registration threshold will remain at £85,000 for the next two years (continuation of Autumn 2017 Budget).

Construction

• Announcement of the simplification of the rules on conversion of commercial properties to residential.

Duties

• Interestingly, the government announced that they are increasing the duty on so called ‘white ciders’ due to their low cost and high alcohol content, perhaps this will, indirectly over time have a positive effect on the NHS spend on treating alcohol related diseases such a liver cirrhosis.