Reformed pensions can provide an alternative to the payday lenders August 17, 2014 For millions of households, the most significant risk to financial security lies in their lack of any form of a short-term cash account on which they can draw in the event of an emergency. The consequence of this lack of reserves, for some, is that a financial shock (a suddenly disrupted income, or an unexpected [...]
Gimme 5: Companies crowdfunding this month August 11, 2014 All Star Minerals 12 per cent; 540-day convertible loan A listed UK mining company focused on the Queensland area of Australia. Current focus is on two near-term production copper-gold mines. It’s seeking £50,000. Crowd for Angels Mughals, The Series 10 per cent equity A television drama series about the Mughals, in the style of [...]
Aviva weathers pensions storm as bulk annuity sales rocket up August 8, 2014 Aviva was one of the top risers on the FTSE 100 yesterday, following publication of its half-year results. Its shares rose almost three per cent after reporting that operating profit for the half-year period was up four per cent to £1.05bn. The strong results prove Aviva is weathering the storm created by chancellor George Osborne [...]
Japan pension fund rumours boost markets August 8, 2014 JAPANESE stocks swelled yesterday on reports that the country’s colossal public pension fund was now preparing to make a significant move into domestic equities. The Nikkei, which had dropped during the day, jumped upward around an hour before the end of trading, finishing at 15,232.27, a rise of 0.48 per cent. The Topix index, which [...]
Forget pensions: We need radical Isa reform to really tackle the UK savings crisis August 4, 2014 The UK’s pensions crisis is no longer looming. It’s here. We are dangerously over-heating, and millions of British households, who are simply not saving enough for later life, face a bleak financial future – unless there is swift, radical action. UK adults need and deserve a solid framework that will help them save and plan [...]
In a field of his own: FarmDrop’s Ben Pugh talks crowdfunding and the future of our food July 27, 2014 In the time it’s taken FarmDrop founder Ben Pugh to discuss his company with me, it crowdfunded £13,000. After just eight days on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, FarmDrop raised more than its £400,000 investment target. A new way of doing food is, it seems, quite popular. The FarmDrop concept is simple: it streamlines the food [...]
Pensioners warned not to splash all their cash on a Lamborghini as Treasury unveils pension rules July 21, 2014 Pensioners tempted to splash all of their cash in one go on a new Lamborghini are being warned they would face a tax bill of £63,000, ahead of today’s confirmation from the government that it will push ahead with the biggest shake-up of the pensions industry in a century. Research by financial services provider NFU [...]
Peer lending and crowdfunding an “increasing source of finance” for UK firms July 18, 2014 Peer lending and crowdfunding are becoming an "increasing source of finance" for firms, as non-bank alternatives are giving a growing number of UK firms a helping hand, according to the Bank of England. In its quarterly report on trends in lending, the central bank reports that credit conditions for businesses are improving, with net lending [...]
Grocery website Farmdrop uses crowdfunding to raise £400,000 July 14, 2014 A company that aims to link local food producers with consumers by tapping into the soaring popularity of click and collect is seeking to raise £400,000 using the crowdfunding site Crowdcube. Farmdrop is an online platform set up last year that allows shoppers to buy directly from producers, such as fishermen or bakers, and collect [...]
Thousands walk out over pay and pensions July 10, 2014 THOUSANDS of public sector workers across the country walked out on strike yesterday in dispute over pay and pensions. In the capital, teachers, firefighters and other public sector staff marched on Trafalgar Square. Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude thanked staff who did not walk out, adding that estimates suggest half a million people did.