The 2018 Budget – delivered on a Monday for the first time since 1962 – produced a number of surprises, not least some high-profile ‘giveaways’. Announcements in the Budget included: A £650 increase in the personal allowance to £12,500 for … Continue reading
The third quarter of 2018 showed mixed results for global stock markets. Index 2018 Change FTSE 100 -0.7% FTSE All-Share -0.5% Dow Jones Industrial +7.0% Standard & Poor’s 500 +9.0% Nikkei 225 +6.0% Euro Stoxx 50 (€) -3.0% Shanghai Composite … Continue reading
2019/20 Tax Tables Click the image to download PDF.
Please click the image to the left to download the PDF
In a longer than usual Budget speech, and in a slightly more jocular than usual mood, the Chancellor laid out the government’s vision for post-Brexit Britain. With a raft of measures aimed at shoring up businesses, infrastructure and the health … Continue reading
Do you fancy working once you have reached age 65? The trend of rising employment levels is not limited to working-age people, according to the latest employment statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Source: ONS 11/9/2018 The data reveals … Continue reading
The popularity of cash ISAs is continuing to wane, according to new statistics from HMRC. With inflation persistently above interest rates, it’s not hard to imagine why. The bank of England recently increased the interest rate to 0.75%, but inflation … Continue reading
The 2018 Budget has been set for Monday 29 October, setting a deadline for speculation and proposals. Mr Hammond, however, has indicated that he won’t end the long spell of austerity measures, despite improving public finances. Proposals raised by think … Continue reading
A paper published in August by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) casts new light on life expectancies in the UK. Source: Office for National Statistics Life expectancy has been increasing in the UK for a long time, as the … Continue reading
2017/18 produced record inheritance tax (IHT) receipts according to HMRC data published in July. The latest release of the annual statistics revealed IHT produced £5.228 billion for the Exchequer in 2017/18, an increase of two thirds over just five years. … Continue reading
The US stock market set a new record for the longest-ever bull market in August. S&P 500 Index Performance Wednesday 22 August 2018 saw the S&P 500 drop – by less than 0.1% – after 3,453 days, making it the … Continue reading
The Bank of England increased the base interest rate in August to 0.75% – the second increase in 12 months. Source: Bank of England August 2018 The Bank’s decision to raise the rate to its highest level in nearly nine … Continue reading
The rates charged on student loans rose at the start of September. The revised terms for interest on, and repayment of, student loans were published in August, along with the A level results for the year. From 1 September, the … Continue reading
The long-term outlook for government finances suggests tax increases are inevitable. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) produces medium-term financial forecasts alongside the Budget and Spring Statement, but that is not its only task. It is also required to take … Continue reading
Draft legislation released in July contains more bad news for those renting out residential property. The Finance Bill 2018/19 draft legislation published just before the summer holidays has confirmed the following measures: From 6 April 2019, the rules for rent-a-room … Continue reading
