by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2016 | blog, Pensions
Saving into a pension is an important financial step we should all be taking to ensure a comfortable lifestyle when we stop work. When it comes to workplace pensions, all employers will have been required to enrol their eligible workers into a scheme by 2018, if they:...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2016 | blog, Pensions
There are 4.5 million self-employed people in the UK – that’s one in seven of the UK workforce – but only 18% of them contribute to a pension. The explanation for this low number might be that saving for a pension when you’re self employed isn’t as straightforward as...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
Professional advice and careful planning can help you to make the most of legitimate opportunities to reduce the amount of tax you pay. Your Accountant, or tax specialist, will be your first port of call when it comes to tax, but it’s also an important consideration...
by Brian Downton | J, Jun, 2016 | blog, protection
‘Seven Families’ highlights the importance of protecting your income. Seven Families is a charity-led campaign that aims to raise awareness of the financial and emotional difficulties caused by long-term illness or disability. Launched in November 2014, it follows...
by Brian Downton | J, Jun, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
A quick Google of ‘Spring Clean’ will throw up a million and one Buzzfeed articles or ‘life hacks’ on how to make spring-cleaning easier and quicker. You’ll find tips about using cola to clean the toilet, lemon to clean the taps and vinegar to clean just about...
by Brian Downton | J, Jun, 2016 | blog, mortgages
In last year’s Summer Budget, George Osborne announced changes to the way landlords can claim tax relief on their mortgage finance costs. In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor then announced proposed changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax on properties purchased for Buy to...
by Brian Downton | J, Jun, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
If you’ve always been a saver but never considered an Individual Savings Account (ISA) you could be losing out to the tax man. Make your savings work harder ISAs are tax-efficient savings plans that allow you to shelter up to £15,240 in the 2016/17 tax year from...
by Brian Downton | J, May, 2016 | Budget
Mr Osborne’s third Budget in the space of a year included a number of re-announcements from his Autumn Statement, but there were a few surprises. Lifetime ISAs From April 2017, adults under 40 will qualify for a new Lifetime ISA. The maximum annual contribution will...
