Archive for March 2022
Whatever happened to the wealth tax?
A new wealth tax to counter the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic was the talk of the financial pages not so long ago. Now it has disappeared… or has it? By the end of 2020, as the huge cost of the Covid-19 pandemic became clear, there was much discussion about the introduction of a wealth…
Read MoreNew reforms are set to simplify divorce in England and Wales
Divorce will become easier thanks to a change in the law from 6 April, but even with a more amicable split, financial advice is still vital. Divorce rules in England and Wales will soon undergo their most radical reform since the introduction of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act became…
Read MoreRepayment of student loans: another freeze… and worse
The government is turning the financial screws on student loans and is set to claw back £2.3 billion under the guise of high inflation. These changes pose a significant, and potentially expensive, dilemma for those with student debt. ‘Fiscal drag’ is an unpleasant sounding economic term that you will probably experience first-hand in 2022 and beyond.…
Read MoreLearning lessons from the UK dividends bounce back
New research shows that UK dividend payments rebounded strongly in 2021, but still remain below their pre-pandemic level. The experience of the last two years holds important lessons for investors. 2020 was a grim year for anyone who relied on UK company dividends as a source of income. The total dividend payments from UK plc fell…
Read MoreTwo weeks that shook the world: reacting to Ukraine
The invasion of Ukraine has shaken emotions and certainties as the world watches a growing humanitarian disaster. The reactions of global markets, which had misread President Putin’s strategy as much as many politicians, were similarly sent into crisis mode. On Thursday 24 February, Europe woke to the news that Russia’s forces had entered Ukraine from…
Read MoreNot quite as safe as houses – the rising cost of bricks and mortar
House prices rose by around 10% in 2021 – their fastest pace in 15 years – but that is no guarantee of what may come in 2022. Relying on bricks and mortar to boost your finances may no longer be as attractive as it once was. Source: Nationwide Just as inflation enjoyed an unexpected leap in…
Read MoreYear of the Tiger: Happy new tax year?
We’re now in the year of the Tiger according to the Chinese zodiac, which can symbolise resilience and strength. That may well be required after Wednesday 6 April ushers in the new 2022/23 tax year. New years are normally a cause – or excuse – for celebration, even if the pandemic has changed that in recent…
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