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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
James Andrews

20 big changes to wages, tax rules, benefits, pensions, and more coming in 2020

As things stand there are at least 20 major changes planned for next year - affecting everything from the price of a flight to overdrafts, benefits and pensions.

The new rules will see people pay less National Insurance, but more council tax.

Benefits are rising, while tax breaks are taken from landlords - and while the state pension is up, free TV licences are being taken away.

There are also new rights coming affecting bank accounts and broadband - as well as a new £20 note .

Oh - and all that's before we even get to Brexit and its accompanying 50ps.

Hargreaves Lansdown personal finance analyst Sarah Coles said: “2020 should finally see all sorts of things we’ve been waiting interminably for - from an increase in benefits, to a pause in state pension age rises."

She addded: "It’s not all good news though, especially if you’re over the age of 75 and now have to find the cash for a TV licence, or if you’re a landlord who relies on mortgage interest relief at a higher rate to make renting add up.”

Here are the 20 biggest changes we know about:

4. Broadband rules to make prices cheaper - February 15

You should pay less to get online as a result (Getty Images/EyeEm)

New rules from Ofcom mean customers will be told when they come to the end of their contract, as well as about any changes in price at this point. Providers also have to tell customers about the best deal available at the time.

Suter: “Anyone of the 8.8 million people with broadband who are out of contract could see their bills cut next year. Ofcom has intervened to get those who don’t shop around a better deal, with providers pledging to cap rates for those out of contract and stop preferential rates being offered just to new customers."

5. New JMW Turner £20 note enters circulation - 20 February

(PA)

After the launch of the polymer £5 and £10 notes, the Bank of England announced a shiny new plastic £20 would follow.

The current cotton note was first issued in 2007, and has Scottish economist Adam Smith on the reverse - it will be phased out over the year.

The new one  will be graced with the face of iconic artist J.M.W. Turner and made of the same plastic as the current £5 and £10 notes.

The release date? 20 Feb 2020 (or 20/02/2020) of course.

6. The right to request decent and affordable broadband - 20 March

Some areas of the country have the choice of slow broadband, hideously expensive broadband, or no broadband.

That's set to end for many with the introduction of new rights.

The newUniversal Service Obligation will give people the right to request decent, affordable internet wherever installing it would cost no more than £3,400 a household.

9. Landlord tax breaks finally axed - April 6

(Press Association)

Over the past few years, landlords have seen some of their tax breaks whittled away.

Previously, the money spent on a mortgage could be taken away from earnings so you pay less tax. Effectively, it meant there was a 40% discount for many on their mortgage payments.

From April, that will be cut to 20%.

11. National insurance - April

The Government promised to change national insurance thresholds in its manifesto.

Under their plans, you would pay no national insurance contributions on the first £9,500 of your earnings - up from £8,632 at the moment - working out as a saving of around £100 a year.

But it's not quite the all out win you might think - with the move meaning some of the worst off might now miss out on some of their state pension as a result.

Steven Cameron, pensions director at Aegon, said: “Under current rules, those not paying any NI lose out on credits towards their state pension.

"Individuals need 35 years of qualifying NICs to receive the full state pension with those with fewer qualifying years seeing a reduction and receive none if they have fewer than 10 years of credits.”

18. Long-haul flights get more expensive - April 6

Air passenger duty rises £2 for economy seats, £4 for premium seats and £13 for private jets when you fly long-haul.

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