Paying for it
Welding robot tax relief and grants in the UK
Updated
Most of a welding robot's cost can be set against taxable profit in the year it is bought, and smaller manufacturers in some regions can apply for Made Smarter support. The rules below are each cited to the government page they come from.
Capital allowances
GOV.UK says the annual investment allowance lets a business claim up to £1 million on certain plant and machinery.
Source: gov.uk: capital allowances overview
HMRC's policy paper describes full expensing as a 100% first-year allowance for main rate plant and machinery bought by companies, beside a 50% first-year allowance for special rate expenditure.
Source: HMRC: full expensing policy paper
GOV.UK also lists a 40% first-year allowance among the allowances for plant and machinery. Which one fits depends on who you are and when you buy: check the current rules or ask an accountant.
Source: gov.uk: capital allowances overview
Made Smarter
In the South East, Surrey County Council lists Made Smarter eligibility for manufacturers with fewer than 250 employees, an annual turnover of £44m or less, or a balance sheet of £38m or less.
Source: Surrey CC: Made Smarter South East eligibility
Set against labour
ONS's Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings puts median gross annual earnings for full-time employees at £39,039 in April 2025, before employer National Insurance and pension.
Source: ONS: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2025
This page is information, not tax advice.