Autumn Statement 2015 roundup: From London Help-to-Buy to potholes, here’s everything the chancellor announced today November 25, 2015 There weren’t many surprises in today’s Autumn Statement – from housing to the Northern Powerhouse, we were fairly well-versed in the measures included. Indeed, shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s decision to quote Mao ZeDong in the Commons may have been more eyebrow-raising than any of George Osborne’s measures. Landlords once again found themselves punished, with a new three [...]
Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review 2015: Housing set to dominate – as well as what time it starts, how to watch it and what will be in it November 25, 2015 Later today George Osborne will take to the despatch box to give his combined Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review. George Osborne has already tweeted the front cover of the document, saying it will "deliver economic and national security – the foundations of everything we do". Today's Spending Review will deliver economic and national security – the [...]
Where in the UK has the biggest pension pot? The only way is Essex, but Surrey, Hertfordshire and East Sussex not far behind November 25, 2015 When it comes to pension pots, the only way is Essex, with residents sitting on more retirement savings than any other part of the country, at £125,478. Retirees in Surrey, Hertfordshire and East Sussex are also sitting on a nice nest egg, with the spots also boasting a pension pot in the top five in the UK, while [...]
This Autumn Statement could significantly change the UK state and the Tories’ fortunes November 23, 2015 For the third time in a year, tomorrow, George Osborne will take to the despatch box to deliver a budget or budget-like statement. We will be treated to a feast of announcements as the Treasury pontificates on just about every policy issue imaginable in its “Autumn Statement” – showing the huge governmental power hoarded within [...]
November Spending Review 2015: Chancellor George Osborne to say basic state pension will rise by the most in 15 years in 2016 November 21, 2015 The basic state pension is set to rise the most in real terms since 2001, according to media reports. Chancellor George Osborne will confirm that 2.9 per cent increase to £119.30 a week from April 2016 in next week's widely anticipated Spending Review. The government has committed itself to a so-called "triple-lock" on state pensions over the next five [...]
Is Workie, the government’s psychedelic embodiment of the workplace pension, a hit with audiences – or is it P45 time? November 19, 2015 Eyebrows have been raised at his £8.5m price tag; Baroness Altmann, the pensions minister, has taken to her government blog to defend him and he's been described (somewhat uncharitably) as an "outrageously condescending supersized gonk". So the question is…is "Workie", the government's psychedelic embodiment of workplace pensions, working? It's clear something had to be done to get the message [...]
Seeking income: Three contrarian ideas for hunters, from Cyprus government bonds to energy companies November 19, 2015 Times have been tough for investors seeking regular income payments. Nearly all bond sectors have made losses for investors this year. Meanwhile, some of the companies which could once be relied upon for good dividend payments from their shares – such as Tesco and Glencore – have cut or scrapped them entirely. But specialist fund [...]
More than half of retirement savers are confused on pension freedom tax rules November 18, 2015 Over half of retirement savers are unclear on what the tax rules are following the launch of pension freedoms, according to new research. The study, by employee benefits consultancy Portcus, showed 53 per cent of those saving for retirement are confused on tax rules in the wake of new pension freedoms. The study pointed to a "worrying" view on tax, [...]
Shunning fossil fuels could burn £1m a year off of GLA pension fund November 18, 2015 Going green might be good for the environment, but it could eat into the Greater London Authority (GLA) pension fund. GLA Conservatives economics spokesman and assembly member Gareth Bacon has said that the pension fund could potentially lose out on £1m per year if it stops investing in fossil fuels. “Recent calls to stop the [...]
One in six employers feel their staff are still unclear about pension freedoms, more than six months after they came into force November 16, 2015 One in six employers have noticed staff are still scratching their heads over pension freedoms, despite the new rules having been in force since April, according to a study by Close Brothers Asset Management. However, some staff are getting the hang of the rules. In the survey of almost 900 UK employers, 21 per cent said [...]