When it comes to student loans, the media focus is usually on tuition fees (outside Scotland), but there’s another loan that shouldn’t be overlooked – and that includes Scotland. In January 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) issued a press … Continue reading →

Recent research has compared the value of personal national insurance contributions (NICs) with the value of state pension received. The results may surprise you. NICs are not well understood, a fact exploited by Chancellors past and present. Many people mistakenly … Continue reading →

There is an interesting lesson to be learned from a think tank’s pension criticism. Think tanks come in many different guises, some more independent than others. Those without political links – overt or covert – can often provide a valuable, … Continue reading →

In 2022, most of the world’s major share indices had their worst year since 2008, but the UK’s FTSE 100 was a star performer. Index 2022 Change FTSE 100 +0.9% FTSE 250 -19.7% Dow Jones Industrial -9.2% Standard & Poor’s … Continue reading →

The frozen personal allowance may be overtaken by the new state pension in only a few years, proving the income tax screw is well and truly tightening. Source: DWP, HMRC, OBR. The new state pension, payable to eligible individuals who … Continue reading →