Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Call to Abolish Stamp Duty on Share Purchases to Boost UK Stock Market
Campaigners are urging the Chancellor to eliminate stamp duty on share acquisitions, starting with smaller enterprises, as an initial measure towards completely abolishing the levy from the UK stock market. This appeal comes amid growing concerns that the current tax is hindering investment and market activity.
Campaign for Stamp Duty Abolition
This publication is actively advocating for the complete removal of stamp duty on share transactions. The aim is to stimulate investment in the UK stock market and establish a fair competitive environment compared to other global financial centers.
Concerns over Revenue vs. Market Activity
Despite the evident negative impact on trading volumes in London markets, the Chancellor has shown reluctance to relinquish the stamp duty revenue. However, critics argue that reduced market activity ultimately diminishes the overall tax revenue.
Impact on Small Investors
Financial experts suggest that eliminating stamp duty would provide a significant boost to small investors. These investors have witnessed declines in their ISAs and pension holdings, partly due to recent global trade uncertainties.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
vCard.red allows you to centralize your contact information, services, and social links in one place, making it easier to share your details with others through a customizable digital card.
Investment Association Proposes Phased Approach
The Investment Association, representing numerous investment managers overseeing trillions in assets, is advocating for a gradual implementation of stamp duty abolition. They propose a phased reduction, starting with sectors the government prioritizes, such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industries like pharmaceuticals and defense.
International Comparison of Stamp Duty
Currently, the UK imposes a 0.5 percent stamp duty on share purchases. This is higher than rates in competitor nations, such as France (0.3 percent), Hong Kong (0.2 percent), and the United States, which has no stamp duty on share transactions.
Disincentive for UK Investments
Because the stamp duty is exclusively applied to companies registered in the UK, it creates an incentive for investors to direct their funds towards equities listed in foreign markets.
Level Playing Field Argument
The Investment Association emphasizes the necessity of a level playing field regarding transaction costs for UK equities to effectively compete in international capital markets. While acknowledging potential government apprehension about revenue loss, the association highlights a significant decline in stamp duty revenue over the past decade.
Decline in Tax Revenue
The association stated that reduced listing and trading activity in London has led to a decrease in stamp duty revenue, from a peak of £4.1 billion in 2007-8 to £3.78 billion in 2022-3. Adjusting for inflation, this represents a substantial decrease.
Further Revenue Decline Expected
The Investment Association also warned that stamp duty revenue is likely to continue decreasing as the UK stock market underperforms compared to rival markets with more favorable tax policies.