City A.M. Unregulated podcast: The art of professional idling, with Tom Hodgkinson November 24, 2016 Entrepreneur and professional idler Tom Hodgkinson talks about how he turned The Idler into more than just a magazine, and explains why laziness is an important part of creativity. Also the author of Business for Bohemians, Hodgkinson explains why our obsession with productivity is getting us down – and why he is passionate about spreadsheets. [...]
Nic London says government planning procedures are impeding small housebuilders November 24, 2016 Figures released earlier this month show that nearly 200,000 homes were added to the housing stock in 2015-16 – a good start to delivering the 1m homes the government has pledged this parliament. But more needs to be done if we’re going to continue to build enough houses for our burgeoning population, and we will [...]
What the Autumn Statement meant for SMEs November 24, 2016 This year's Autumn Statement saw the chancellor announce a mild loosening of the public finances in order to invest in closing the productivity gap between Britain and other developed nations. Against a backdrop of slower growth in 2017 and 2018, Philip Hammond’s measures focused on housing and infrastructure, and the allocation of funding towards innovative [...]
A lack of digital prowess in the finance sector is hindering growth November 24, 2016 Lack of digital prowess in the finance sector is hindering growth. Here’s a sobering statistic. The average client-facing professional in the financial industry achieves a score of 20 on LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index (SSI.) The maximum score is 100. LinkedIn’s SSI measures the promotional competence of individuals, companies and industries on the networking site. The [...]
Five important things fintech was handed in the Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 The UK's fintech powerhouse was not forgotten in the chancellor's Autumn Statement with several measures aimed at boosting the sector unveiled. Fintech census The government will carry out what's being called a fintech census, designed to identify the key figures driving the industry for investors. "An accurate measurement of this evolving space will help policymakers, investors [...]
Hammond’s pension own-goal? Over-55’s flexible working under threat November 23, 2016 Tax relief on pension top-ups is to be drastically reduced for those already drawing an income from retirement savings. Over-55's drawing an income from pension pots can currently put £10,000 per year away tax free – known as the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA). But Chancellor Philip Hammond announced plans within his Autumn Statement to reduce the [...]
The National Living Wage increase fell short of expectations, moving up only 30p to £7.50 in April 2017 November 23, 2016 The National Living Wage fell short of forecasted expectations. The rate will rise 30p to £7.50 in April 2017, but experts predicted it would rise to £7.60. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the four per cent increase to wages for over-25s in his Autumn Statement Wednesday. This equals an increase of £500 a year to over a million full-time workers, Hammond said. [...]
Pension triple-lock has been spared by Hammond despite concerns it was for the chop November 23, 2016 The pension triple-lock will not be abolished during the current parliament Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in the Autumn Statement. Some experts had anticipated the triple-lock – which guarantees that pensions to rise by the highest of average earnings, the consumer price index, or 2.5 per cent – might be for the chop. But Hammond confirmed that this would not [...]
Savers will be offered new government-backed investment bond next year November 23, 2016 Savers will be offered a new government backed investment bond at the next Budget, the chancellor said today. The three-year bond will offer a 2.2 per cent interest rate on deposits of up to £3,000, and will be available through NS&I. It will be open to those aged 16 and over, available for 12 months from spring [...]
Salary sacrifice schemes hit in Hammond’s first Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 Employee salary sacrifice schemes such as gym memberships will no longer be tax-free, the chancellor said today. Philip Hammond said in his Autumn Statement that certain benefits employees enjoy tax-free at the moment will no longer be exempt. The Treasury said that the tax and employer National Insurance advantages of salary sacrifice schemes will be [...]
