by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2017 | blog, general
In the wake of the 2015 General Election, the Conservative Party confirmed it would deliver on its Manifesto promise that parents could pass their property up to the value of £1m to their children free of Inheritance Tax, thanks to a new ‘family home allowance’. The...
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2017 | blog, Pensions
Could you survive on £8,000 a year or less, in retirement? If you’ve given up work to look after your family, you’ll be among those least likely to save for retirement simply because you have no income. And when it comes to the State Pension, you’ll usually need at...
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2017 | blog, mortgages, Pensions
The news is always full of stats about first-time buyers In 2016 there were an estimated 335,750 first-time buyers – the highest figure since 359,900 in 2007 The average first-time deposit has more than doubled since 2007 to more than £32,000 • the average price...
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2017 | blog, mortgages
The decision to sell up and move to a smaller property could come as a result of children flying the nest, the need to free up cash, or both. Whatever the reason, there are costs to downsizing that are important to know about before you make the move. The ‘hidden’...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2017 | blog, mortgages
The way landlords can claim tax relief on their mortgage finance costs has changed. Up until 5 April 2017, landlords could deduct mortgage interest from their rental income before calculating how much tax they should pay. Now, however, tax relief on Buy to Let...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2017 | blog, general
Two thirds of working households in the UK consider themselves to be ‘just about managing’ financially, according to research. The Resolution Foundation, which researches the living standards of those on low to middle incomes, has identified six million Jams (as they...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2017 | blog, general, wealth-management
Much is made about the impact of inflation on the ‘real’ value of your income and investments. That is, the impact inflation has on your ability to continue affording your lifestyle. The magic number The Bank of England Monetary Policy Framework has an inflation...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2017 | blog, protection
Whatever business you’re in, having the right insurance in place is essential to protect your assets and responsibilities. We’ve put together a short description of the most common types of cover for small businesses, along with a brief checklist to get you thinking...
