The tax-free lump sum offered by most pension arrangements steps back into the spotlight as the Autumn Budget nears. A Brief History of the Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS) “Anomalous, but much loved” was how one Chancellor, the late Nigel Lawson, described the...
Updated figures from HMRC reveal greener company cars are surging in popularity. Source: HMRC The Changing Landscape of Company Car Ownership This summer’s slew of statistics on income tax issued by HMRC revealed an interesting picture of how company car ownership has...
How much would it cost to increase the income tax personal allowance? Source: HMRC, ONS. Assumes annual CPI inflation 2% from September 2026 The personal allowance is the amount of income that you can receive free of income tax. Since 2010, the personal allowance has...
Andy Burnham has plans to deal with long-term care in England. A Look Back to 2010 In March 2010, during the dying days of Gordon’s Brown’s Labour government, Andy Burnham was the Health Secretary. In that role, he published a White Paper on social care reform in...
he Autumn Budget date has now been set for 28 October, with the new Chancellor facing some familiar challenges. Setting the Date At the end of a fortnight heavily laden with announcements from Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his revised cabinet, what may prove to be...
The House of Commons Treasury Committee has published a critical report on the operation of student loans. Earlier this year the Department for Education (DfE) announced a 6% interest cap on Plan 2 student loans for one year from September 2026. The DfE press release...
The law in England and Wales is moving a step closer to treating married and unmarried couples in a similar way. “Over 3.5 million couples live together without getting married or entering a civil partnership, a number that has more than doubled over the past three...
New research from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has placed an uncomfortably large figure on the estimated amount of unpaid tax in the UK. At £59.2 billion, the outstanding amount is a serious sum of money—equating to roughly £850 a head for every man, woman, and...
The government has officially published a consultation document outlining the replacement for the Lifetime ISA (LISA). If you are currently saving for a first home or retirement using a LISA, these impending changes are vital to understand. The Lifetime ISA was...
A recent consultation paper released by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) could spell concerning news if you are one of the 3.6 million self-assessment taxpayers who make payments on account. While summer temperatures soared across the UK, HMRC unveiled a substantial...
The newly formed Pensions Commission has issued a landmark interim report that serves as a stark warning for long-term financial and retirement planning across the UK. The Legacy of the First Commission The original Pensions Commission was established back in 2002....
Could the State pension be replaced with a more flexible, personalised income scheme? A radical new report argues that not only is it possible, but it may also be economically vital. The Spiralling Cost of Retiring There are now 12.6 million people over the State...
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