Financial markets were primed for sharp, immediate tax rises. Commentators warned of fiscal tightening. Yet when the Chancellor delivered the measures, the initial reaction was muted. Markets barely moved. The plaster came off—and it didn’t hurt.
NEWS
Tax
THE GROWING PROBLEM OF CAPITAL GAINS TAX & INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
Over the past few years, one of the quietest but most significant shifts in personal taxation has been the steady tightening of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowances. What was once a generous £12,300 annual exemption has been reduced to just £3,000 for the 2024/25 tax year – and there’s every chance that future Budgets or the forthcoming Autumn Statement could push rates higher still.
TAXING PREVIOUSLY TAX-FREE LUMP SUMS – WHAT’S ON THE TABLE FOR THE AUTUMN STATEMENT
Plenty of speculation about the taxes that the Government might introduce – and there is lots of choice but let’s examine the potential for a change to the tax free cash sum that clients normally access on retirement.
WHY WILLS AREN’T JUST ABOUT ‘WHO GETS WHAT’ – THEY’RE ABOUT PROTECTING WEALTH FOR GENERATIONS
We tend to think of Wills as a simple list of ‘who gets what’ when we’re gone. But the truth is, a well-planned Will is one of the most powerful financial tools you’ll ever have.
AUTUMN STATEMENT – SPENDING REVIEW
With a yawning £41 billion hole opening up in Britain’s books, this autumn’s Budget is shaping up to be less about giveaways and more about plug holes.
USING BUSINESS RELIEF TO REDUCE INHERITANCE TAX
President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs that will reshape trade relations with the United States. The new tariff regime is more severe than expected, and extraordinary both in terms of scale and how they were calculated.
SPRING STATEMENT UPDATE – THE KEY NEWS FROM THE CHANCELLOR’S SPEECH
After Rachel Reeves’ first Budget in autumn 2024, you might have been concerned about the announcements that would be included in her Spring Statement on 26th March 2025. Thankfully, the major headline from this year’s springtime fiscal event is that Reeves made few announcements that are likely to directly affect you and your personal finances.
SALARY SACRIFICE – GENUINE & IMMEDIATE SAVINGS FOR EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS ALIKE
Salary sacrifice is not ideal for everyone, but it legitimately provides employers with a means of saving significant sums of money that can be used within the business, whilst simultaneously improving the net monthly pay of staff and increasing their pension contributions each month.
DON’T MISS OUT ON TAX BREAKS AS YOU HEAD TOWARDS THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR
The end of the financial year is nearly upon us, and it’s time to get in quick and make the most of exemptions before April is upon us. But that’s not all that should be on your financial spring cleaning list.
THE FINANCIAL GIFT THAT WILL KEEP ON GIVING
Fancy slipping a little monetary something into a loved one’s stocking this holiday season? Stop right there! However well-intentioned the gesture, there are plenty of factors you should consider beforehand to make sure you’re giving in a tax-efficient way that will help you as well as them.
THE BUDGET – OCTOBER 2024
I am sure that you will have followed the news closely in the last couple of days and there will be a lot of comment about the changes announced in the Budget. As financial planners, It is important to be up to date about any changes in the Budget.
THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF THE AUTUMN BUDGET 2024
There has been a lot of comment in the press about the possible changes in the Autumn (end of October) including the potential impact on the ability to withdraw money from a pension completely free of tax (Tax Free Cash).
LATEST NEWS
NAVIGATING THE FOG OF WAR
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical oil chokepoint. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply transits here each day. Commercial traffic has been severely disrupted since late February. Iran maintains a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil transits during peacetime. As long as that remains the status quo, analysts expect oil and stock markets to experience continued heightened volatility.
MIDDLE EAST ESCALATION: EARLY MARKET IMPACT & PORTFOLIO IMPLICATIONS
Following the weekend escalation involving US – Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent response, markets have – so far – reacted in a relatively orderly way. The immediate transmission mechanism is energy, because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas flows.
GETTING MY HEAD AROUND AI: WHY MARKETS ARE EXCITED — AND NERVOUS
Artificial Intelligence has moved from novelty to necessity in what feels like months. Markets have reacted accordingly. Some technology shares have surged on the promise of AI, while others have fallen sharply on fears that AI could undermine existing business models. Like many investors, I’ve been trying to get my head around what is actually happening — and why the stakes suddenly feel so high.
UK TAX: THE PAIN DEFERRED – WHY THE REAL IMPACT COMES LATER
Financial markets were primed for sharp, immediate tax rises. Commentators warned of fiscal tightening. Yet when the Chancellor delivered the measures, the initial reaction was muted. Markets barely moved. The plaster came off—and it didn’t hurt.