Tesco’s pension headache is a real challenge because of the financial strength of the company say experts October 5, 2016 Pension experts warned that Tesco's ballooning pension deficit could cause the supermarket problems when it comes to tricky conversations with the scheme's trustees. The deficit – which doubled to £5.9bn – was higher than anticipated and will likely prompt detailed scrutiny by the trustees, in particular when it comes to next year's triennial valuation. "The ballooning deficit at Tesco is [...]
Experts react to potential changes in pension tax relief October 5, 2016 Hints that the government intends a pension tax shake-up has led to mixed reactions from experts. Chancellor Philip Hammond's parliamentary private secretary, John Glen MP, responded to questions at the Conservative Party Conference on whether the government intended to change pension tax relief. "There needs to be some serious examination about how we can re-balance incentives towards the [...]
As the UK prepares to leave the EU, is it time for investors to get out of the UK? October 5, 2016 With the FTSE 100 reaching 7,120 yesterday, just undershooting its all-time high, this might seem like a strange time to ask whether investors should be ditching UK assets altogether. However, as the blue-chip index surged, DeVere Group founder Nigel Green warned that Brexit-related risk means that such a “precautionary measure” is increasingly likely from UK investors [...]
A bad hire can scupper a team. Here’s how to avoid making one October 5, 2016 Every department has one – that person who everybody knows is as suited to their role as full fat cream to a Weight Watchers diet. But as annoying as it is to be working with someone like this, spare a thought for the poor manager who has to try and performance manage someone that just [...]
Your CV is probably missing this killer piece of information October 5, 2016 Thousands of British job applicants are limiting their work prospects by failing to mention volunteering experience on their CV, research released today has discovered. More than half (54 per cent) of job applicants in the UK have carried out some form of voluntary work, yet only eight per cent mention on their CV, according to [...]
The number of millionaires increases by a quarter every three years but the nil-rate inheritance tax band remains static until 2021 October 4, 2016 The number of UK millionaires is growing at such a rate that Britain is on track to have nearly half a million of them by the end of the year. Analysis of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) UK Personal Wealth Statistics indicates that the number of millionaires is growing by over a quarter every three years and may [...]
Why your investments might be promising something too good to be true October 4, 2016 Investors usually wouldn't turn their nose up at a bumper dividend payout, but research out today has warned many FTSE 100 companies might be promising more than they can deliver. Nearly half (48) of FTSE 100 firms have planned for dividends which are more than two times their forecast earnings for 2016, which AJ Bell [...]
European consumers turn their noses up at price comparison websites in favour of brokers. And it’s a trend that isn’t changing soon October 4, 2016 Continental Europe is shunning price comparison websites for sales of motor insurance because brokers have managed to adapt better to the needs of the market unlike their British counterparts. Two-thirds of all UK motor insurance policies are sold through price comparison websites – a medium that has only been around since the turn of the millennium. But according to [...]
Commerzbank ploughs more cash into London fintech startup Iwoca October 4, 2016 Commerzbank has ploughed more cash into London fintech startup Iwoca as part of a new multi-million pound round of funding for the lending platform. The German bank's venture capital arm CommerzVentures are among investors in the £21m series C round after participating in last year's £15.7m series B. New investor Prime Ventures led the latest round which [...]
Pay by selfie: Mastercard brings biometric technology to the UK October 4, 2016 Paying for things simply by taking a photo of yourself is now a step closer to reality as Mastercard brings its new biometric technology to the UK. So called selfie pay will let customers verify their identity with a snap of their smartphone camera when doing online shopping, or with fingerprints, doing away with passwords and pins -welcome relief [...]
