The headlines will focus on the government’s decision to charge inheritance tax on any unused pension funds or death benefits. This is only part of the story, and there are a number of changes in the budget which makes a review of potential inheritance tax liabilities more important than ever. These measures are forecast to …
The Laffer Curve is a concept accredited to economist Dr. Arthur Laffer. Laffer admitted that whilst he gave it a name, it’s been around as an idea in one form or another since the 14th century, when Muslim philosopher Ibn Khaldun wrote about it. It was also referenced in John Maynard Keynes work. In simple …
Introduction Labour’s first budget for 14 years dominated the headlines, but with a US election in early November and constant attention paid to inflation figures, corporate results and interest cuts around the world, there was plenty of other financial news throughout October. UK £40bn of additional tax revenue was announced by the new Chancellor, Rachel …
House sales in the UK were 5% higher in August 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, according to figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). An estimated 90,210 homes were sold across the UK, reflecting this increase, though the number was slightly down—by less than 1%—from July 2024. The housing market’s resurgence has …
Cuts to interest rates are a key financial news theme in 2024 and we don’t expect that to change in 2025. Many central banks across the world are looking to reduce interest rates as inflation figures slowly return to normal. It is often heralded as great news for mortgage borrowers, but what about investors? Financial …
Introduction The Fed cut interest rates in September which, despite the Bank of England holding at 5%, is now expected to be the direction of travel for much of the developed world as it returns to some form of financial normality into 2025. China’s financial stimulus was another big story in September, as it was …
Speaking in the Downing Street ‘rose garden’, made famous during the pandemic for lockdown parties and ‘that’ Dominic Cummings interview, Keir Starmer delivered a sobering speech on 27th August that sets the tone for the budget at the end of October. It’s “going to be painful” he said, asking the country to “accept short-term pain …
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key economic indicator that measures the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders over a specific period, typically a quarter or a year. Every government in every country wants to drive growth in GDP, as it generates greater revenue for public spending without …
Introduction As inflation cools and interest rates look likely to come down over time, the world is expecting a gradual return to economic normality in the second half of 2024. However, it’s never quite that straightforward. Changes in government around the world create temporary blips as we wait to see if policy will change with …
A power of attorney (POA) allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. It is a really important piece of financial planning, as it should provide continuity in the event that you are unable to make important decisions. We’ve summarised below the key …
