This is most definitely a Mike Tyson kind of market – so says Mike Fox, head of sustainable investing at Royal London. What does he mean? Well, first, for the younger generation let me explain that “Iron Mike” was a...
How to beat the National Insurance hike – Birmingham Post article 16.06.2022
Frozen income tax allowances and increased National Insurance (NI) mean taxpayers are paying more. In fact, the tax burden is set to be the highest since the Labour government of the early 1950s, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility....
Beware falling into the inheritance tax trap – Birmingham Post article 09.06.2022
Inheritance tax (IHT) is on the march – to the despair of many, though not the Government. A total £6.1 billion was collected in the year to the end of March, 15 per cent more than in 2020-21, with the...
Stormy outlook for holiday let investors – Birmingham Post article 02.06.2022
Life is set to get much tougher for second homeowners following announcements in the recent Queen’s Speech. Landlords too face major new regulatory changes which come on top of increased burdens on buy-to-let in recent years. It means investors in...
Non-dom tax payers – savvy or scoundrel? – Birmingham Post article 28.04.2022
The row over the financial affairs of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s multi-millionaire wife Akshata Murty has put non-domicile status firmly in the spotlight. That is because it allows a small but significant number of the ‘super-rich’ to minimise their tax bill....
Banks need greater empathy on LPA registration – Birmingham Post article 21.04.2022
Banks and financial institutions are too often failing those looking to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney. So claims consumer champion Which following an investigation into whether the system as a whole is adequate. Crucial gaps remain, it says,...
Is private medical Insurance the way to go? – Birmingham Post article 14.04.2022
You are in pain, you are on a massive NHS waiting list made worse by Covid, and you feel your life is on hold. Do you wish you had private medical insurance in place? Too late. It needs addressing ahead...
Don’t panic over Russia-Ukraine war, investors told – Birmingham Post article 07.04.2022
With the shocking events in Ukraine uppermost in our thoughts, it seems almost heretical to ponder the effect of the war on share prices. Nevertheless, ponder we must because stock markets never sleep. Investors need some “hand holding” and reminders...
Invest in commodities for an inflation hedge – Birmingham Post article 31.03.2022
Inflation hit a 30-year high, with rising energy, goods and food prices pushing it to 6.2 per cent in the 12 months to February, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Bank of England, which recently raised interest rates...
How to chase down lost pension property – Birmingham Post article 27.03.2022
There is an estimated £20 billion in lost pensions waiting to be claimed in the UK. It seems an incredible sum and hard to credit that it can be true. Perhaps not so surprising though when you consider how people...