Still feeling entitled? Britain is facing a crisis of intergenerational inequality February 15, 2019 This week, I was audacious enough to suggest that free TV licences for pensioners should not be a public spending priority. The backlash was fierce. “I have paid taxes all my life,” came the outraged cries on social media. This is mostly true, as long as you take “all my life” to mean “until I [...]
DEBATE: Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? February 15, 2019 Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? John Oxley, an expert in law, history, and Conservative politics, says YES. Knighthoods are honours, tied to historic notions of chivalry. They are awarded not just for achievement, but for character. Removing them is a public repudiation of bad behaviour. Leaving them in place is tacit approval. [...]
Chinese fintech giant Ant Financial buys up UK currency exchange Worldfirst February 14, 2019 Ant Financial has agreed a deal to acquire UK currency exchange Worldfirst, solidifying the firm's presence outside of China. The deal comes after an attempt by Ant Financial to buy US remittances firm Moneygram was blocked by US regulators last year, citing national security concerns. Worldfirst was said to be valued at around $700m (£547.9m) and [...]
How to value your startup February 14, 2019 | City Talk Do you have a great idea for a startup but feel overwhelmed by the funding options? You’re not alone. Many fledgling entrepreneurs have a great idea and sound business plan but start scratching their heads as soon as money is mentioned. Every startup needs money to grow so it is important that you value your [...]
How to choose a provider for your Stocks and Shares Isa February 14, 2019 Isas are a popular way for savers to squirrel away money. And given that these savings accounts are free from both capital gains and dividend tax, the Stocks and Shares Isa is particularly appealing to investors. With all that said, not all Isas are created equal, and charges can vary wildly across providers. Platforms can usually be divided into those [...]
Investing in an Isa? Avoid these common behavioural mistakes February 14, 2019 Just before the end of the tax year, there’s the usual Isa rush where banks offer their best rates to entice you to hand over your money. Given that the returns are tax-free, it might seem like a no-brainer, and often, taking out an Isa will make sense. But it’s not necessarily always the case. [...]
Saving into a Junior Isa is a great way for new parents to invest in their children’s future February 14, 2019 Think back to when you turned 18 years old. What would you have done if, on that birthday, you were handed £40,000? Would you have splurged it all on travelling the world during a gap year, or would you have been prudent and put it towards a housing deposit? You could have used it to [...]
Turbulence and tailwinds: how savers can seek returns and save the planet February 14, 2019 Isa season is upon us. With just a few weeks left to go before the end of the 2018/19 tax year, canny savers are scrambling to use up their tax-free allowance before the 6 April deadline. The task became more of a challenge this year after the government, in a bid to bolster Britain’s savings culture, [...]
Innovative Finance ISA: The New Kid On The Block February 14, 2019 | Sponsored The Traditional ISA Landscape ISA’s have seen something of a resurgence in recent times. According to HMRC, we invested £69 billion in them during the 2017/18 tax-year.[1] Last years’ growth in ISA subscriptions was driven by an increase in investment in Stocks and Shares ISA’s – which may have ultimately been painful for many investors [...]
Thinking of investing in your employer’s Workplace Isa scheme? Here’s your guide February 14, 2019 From a simple savings account to a product that helps you buy your first home, we are not short of Isas to choose from. And with 10.8m adults subscribed to at least one type of Isa in the last tax year, they’re also very popular. But, unless your employer offers it, there is one type [...]
