FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

Despite those promises from the Government, this will be the biggest tax increase in the UK for 28 years.

There is yet more, with Corporation Tax rising to 19% in 2022 from the beginning of the new financial year, and then again to 25% in 2023. The National Living Wage will rise from £8.91 to £9.50 for people aged 23 and over, with younger age groups also seeing a pay increase.

With cleaner, greener topics still a major focus, from April next year, any plastic packaging purchased by a business or from a business, will have tax applied if the products don’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

Those on the road will now be targeted too, with mobile phone use being further restricted. Currently, there is a £200 fine for talking on a mobile however from 2022, if any handheld device is used while driving, then there will be a fine.

Meanwhile, when it comes to parking, councils are now being given the power to outlaw parking on curbs with immediate fines of £70. This has long been an issue for the disabled who frequently have their path blocked on pavements by cars, vans and larger vehicles.

There are new priorities for cyclists and pedestrians too, this year, placing them above car and lorry drivers, who now sit at the bottom of the hierarchy list on the roads.

This has been introduced to protect the most vulnerable people who are using the roads. I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering where the tax is for cyclists on main roads who may not be sure of travelling safely?