Serenity

Homes worth £3 million or more to be hit hardest by proposed ‘Mansion Tax’

November 06, 2014 by TIna

Those owning properties worth more than £3million will be hit with tax bills starting from £10,000 under a Labour government, according to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Under the party’s mansion tax plans, homes worth between £2m and £3m would attract around £3,000 in liabilities, but properties worth above £3m will take a far greater hit in order to make up the £1.2bn Labour intends to raise for its NHS policy.

The Public-Private Pay Differential updated

November 06, 2014 by TIna

Category: Economy & Uncategorized

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports that the public-private pay differential is now broadly back to pre-crisis levels with pensions remaining a big difference between the sectors. In the immediate aftermath of the recession, the real level of pay in the private sector fell much faster than that in the public sector. Since 2010, public sector pay has been held back such that the gap that opened up during the crisis has been closed.

State of the UK Housing Market – October 2014

November 06, 2014 by TIna

Category: Economy & Uncategorized

Greater caution appears to be being exercised across the UK housing market as house price momentum slowed to the same level it was 16 months ago, according to the latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey. Nationally, new buyer demand slipped for the third consecutive month and in London, caution took a particular toll, with prospective new buyer demand seeing its fifth consecutive monthly decline – a trend not seen since April 2012.

Tax free saving with an ISA or pension

November 06, 2014 by TIna

Category: isas & pensions & savings & Uncategorized

Many of our clients will be aware of the tax advantages that can come from using an ISA or a pension to save for your future. If you are not currently a client however, or are unfamiliar with the tax benefits available, then it is worth briefly recapping just what you could be missing out on!

FCA advice on protecting yourself against unauthorised finance firms

November 06, 2014 by TIna

Category: Investments & Uncategorized

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provides ten steps to make sure you are dealing with an authorised financial services firm, and to protect yourself from fraud and unauthorised activity. Firms and individuals can only conduct regulated financial services activities in the UK if they are authorised by the FCA or registered to do so, or are otherwise exempt.

The 10 (Financial) Commandments

November 05, 2014 by TIna

Category: Investments & Uncategorized

1: The stock market rewards the patient and punishes the rest.

2: Rising prices (inflation) can be your best friend or worst enemy.

3: Long term returns come from investing in the great companies (Equities) of the world.

4: All savings need to be automatic or it won’t happen.

Our insights

Homes worth £3 million or more to be hit hardest by proposed ‘Mansion Tax’

The Public-Private Pay Differential updated

State of the UK Housing Market – October 2014

Tax free saving with an ISA or pension

FCA advice on protecting yourself against unauthorised finance firms

The 10 (Financial) Commandments

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