We associate the term ‘bond’ with mutual connection, whether the subject is chemistry (between atoms, ions, or molecules), personal relationships (between human beings), or finance (between borrowers and lenders). In finance, bonds are often considered difficult to understand, shrouded in complex mathematics and technical terminology. In reality, the basic concept is quite straightforward. In their […]
What can financial planning do for you? Whether we’re aware of it or not, all of us are on a financial planning journey and nearly all of us will want to make the most of our money, including putting it to good use by investing for our future selves. As 2026 progresses, the financial pressure […]
How true are recent media headlines that fewer than one in ten will enjoy a comfortable retirement? As our meteorological summer started with heavy rain, a further dampener was put on proceedings by a storm of media headlines thundering that only 9% of people could look forward to a ‘comfortable’ retirement. As is often the […]
HMRC has published fresh information on the mechanics of collecting inheritance tax (IHT) on pensions. In the October 2024 Budget, the Chancellor announced that most pension death benefits would become potentially liable for IHT from 6 April 2027. However, it was not until March 2026 that the relevant primary legislation was passed into law. Even […]
Talk of a wealth tax has returned as another difficult Autumn Budget looms. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was much talk of a wealth tax to fill the hole that had been created in the government’s coffers. At the end of 2020, a Wealth Tax Commission, independent of the government, published a […]
One element of the Chancellor’s ‘Great British Summer Saving’ package was an increase in tax-free mileage rates. There is a curious divide in the way in which HMRC deals with cars used by employees for business: Company cars These days, few employers that provide company cars also supply ‘free fuel’ (petrol or diesel) to their […]
