In 2019, the Court of Appeal found that changes made to firefighters’ pensions were discriminatory on the grounds of age, with the government later confirming that this ruling applied to all public sector schemes (Teachers, NHS, Civil Service etc). The issues relate to public sector pension reforms in 2015, where members closer to normal retirement …

Rishi Sunak revealed his Spending Review on Wednesday and indicated initial steps to help fund the borrowing undertaken this year. One of the biggest changes to be announced was that the use of the Retail Price Index (RPI) is to change to Consumer Price Index including Housing costs (CPIH). To the relief of many, however, …

We are delighted to announce that we have, once again, made it onto the Citywire Top 100 list – one of only four firms to do so every year since its outset in 2012! Collated by the New Model Adviser publication, the list showcases the top 100 financial planning and wealth management firms across the …

Earlier this year, the Chancellor called for a review of Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which will be undertaken by the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS), specifically focussing on aspects of CGT in relation to individuals and small businesses. The review is to cover: Overall scope of the tax and the various rates of CGT that …

At the beginning of October, Eldon welcomed Natasha Noble to join our paraplanning team. Here is a short introduction from Natasha: I graduated from Newcastle University in 2013 with a degree in Geography and started my career in financial services shortly after. After spending 5 years in another firm where I achieved the Diploma in …

Against a backdrop of surging Coronavirus cases across the UK, and the introduction of further Government restrictions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, delivered his Winter Economy Plan on Thursday of last week. Sunak’s Plan is intended primarily to offer additional support to businesses and protect jobs over the last quarter of 2020 and …

It’s been a long time coming, after first being announced in 2014, but the government has just confirmed the minimum pension age increase from age 55 to 57. The change will be effective from April 2028. This applies the rule of the minimum pension age being 10 years earlier than state pension. State pension age …

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of government support has increased significantly. This has enabled individuals across the UK to remain employed through the furlough scheme and the self-employed to continue funding their living without taking on personal debt. However, these are only two of the schemes put in place to boost the economy. Government …

Inflows Many people will now be familiar with Ethical/Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) investing as this is becoming an ever more prominent area, but just how much has this area grown recently? 2019 saw record inflows for ESG funds. This was the case both in the UK and in the US. Previously the investment options …

The UK government has introduced temporarily reduced rates on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), but what does this mean for you? SDLT applies on the purchase of land or residential property in England or Northern Ireland. Similar taxes apply in Scotland (Land & Buildings Transaction Tax) and Wales (Land Transaction Tax), but the rates and …