How to build an investment income generating machine February 28, 2019 By Jemma Jackson from interactive investor. As we celebrate 20 years of ISAs, we reveal how patient investors can construct a lucrative portfolio. The launch of ISAs in 1999 did not get off to an auspicious start, being swiftly followed by the dotcom bust between March 2000 and March 2003. Indeed, the last two decades [...]
The EIS has cost the government £3bn in tax relief, so why has it become more generous? February 27, 2019 The enterprise investment scheme (EIS) celebrates its silver jubilee this year. Announced by the then chancellor Ken Clarke in the Autumn Budget in 1993, the scheme was launched at the beginning of 1994. The benefits of the EIS have remained generous – in fact, they’ve become more generous. Until April 2011, the up-front tax relief [...]
How VCTs can be used to build the next ARM in the UK February 27, 2019 When Venture Capital Trusts were launched in 1995, their purpose was simple: enable SMEs to raise risk equity finance. It’s easy to see why. In 2018, small businesses made up 99.3 per cent of the private sector in the UK and 60 per cent of all private sector jobs. SMEs play an important role in the economy, [...]
If you’re stuck on which tax-efficient investment scheme to go for, let’s weigh up your options February 27, 2019 At first glance, venture capital trusts (VCTs) and enterprise investment scheme (EIS) funds seem like peas in a pod. They are both government-backed tax wrappers, and they both let you invest in risky young companies. They also come with the same 30 per cent income tax perk, meaning that if you invested £10,000, you would [...]
Funds and investment trusts for all the family February 26, 2019 by Jemma Jackson from interactive investor. As the current tax year approaches an end, interactive investor selects some great funds for your ISA. Whilst reviewing or selecting an ISA portfolio might seem like a solo pursuit (the clue is in the name – Individual Savings Account), it doesn't have to be. interactive investor explains why [...]
Finally, the Tories have tackled the UK’s deficit February 22, 2019 Credit where it’s due, Philip Hammond has finally conquered the deficit – albeit several years after his predecessor George Osborne originally promised to have done so. While the government is still spending more money than it generates, the UK’s rate of borrowing is considerably below pre-crisis levels. In its analysis of yesterday’s borrowing figures the [...]
Government borrowing falls to lowest yearly level since 2001 with record January surplus February 21, 2019 Government borrowing has fallen to its lowest year-to-date level since 2001 and recorded the largest January surplus since records began. Public sector borrowing from April 2018 through to January was £21.2bn, the lowest at this point in the financial year since 2001, and £18.5bn less than in the previous year. Net borrowing in January itself [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Innovative Finance ISA: The New Kid On The Block February 14, 2019 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 [...]