Downton and Ali Associates
info@downtonandali.co.uk
020 3021 0075 or 020 3135 0246
European legislation hits the UK mortgage market Back in March 2011 the European Commission proposed a new directive on credit agreements for consumers secured on property, referred to as the European Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD). The new rules came into force on...
Ever bought something online that doesn’t quite fit? Sticking with the same provider year-on-year for financial products such as insurance or savings accounts may mean you’re not getting the best deal. But using price comparison sites when renewing your policy isn’t...
Service personnel and their families can find it difficult to access commercial products and services because of the time spent outside of the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been working with the financial sector to improve the ability of armed forces personnel...
With a summer of sports coming up you might feel inspired to get involved. But before you do make sure you’re covered in case any of the inevitable bumps and bruises need more than just a plaster. There’s a host of major sporting events taking place this Summer. An...
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:...
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...
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...
‘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...
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...
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...