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Autumn Statement 2022

Autumn Statement 2022

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You can download this update here

 

“We will face into the storm”

On 17 November, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his fiscal plan to “tackle the cost-of-living crisis and rebuild our economy” stating that the government’s three priorities are “stability, growth and public services.” The Chancellor struck a defiant tone during the key fiscal event, saying he was “taking difficult decisions” that would deliver a “balanced path to stability” before outlining a package of measures equating to a consolidated total of around £55bn in spending cuts and tax rises.

Economic forecasts

Mr Hunt began his statement by stressing that the country is facing “unprecedented global headwinds” before unveiling updated economic projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) which confirm the UK is now officially in recession. The Chancellor did, however, point out that the independent public finance analyst believes the downturn will be relatively shallow, if comparatively long. The revised GDP figures suggest the UK economy will grow by 4.2% this year, but then shrink by 1.4% next year before returning to growth in 2024.

The Chancellor also announced revised OBR forecasts which suggest inflation will peak in the current quarter and then drop sharply over the course of next year. The OBR’s updated forecast though does suggest the eroding impact of inflation will reduce living standards by 7% in total over the two financial years to 2023-24, wiping out the previous eight years’ growth, while unemployment is expected to rise from 3.6% today to 4.9% by 2024.

Public finances

During his speech, Mr Hunt announced he was introducing two new fiscal rules and that the plan he was announcing met both of them. His first rule states that underlying debt must fall as a percentage of GDP by the fifth year of a rolling five-year period, while the second states that annual public sector borrowing, over the same time period, must be below 3% of GDP.

The Chancellor went on to reveal updated public finance forecasts, which predict government borrowing in the current fiscal year will rise to £177bn before falling back to £69bn (2.4% of GDP) in 2027-28. This means the medium-term fiscal outlook has materially worsened since the previous OBR forecast produced in March, which had predicted borrowing of £32bn by 2026-27. The OBR said this deterioration in the public finances was due to a weaker economy, higher interest rates and higher inflation.

Personal taxation, wages and pensions

The Chancellor went on to make a raft of key personal taxation, wages and pension announcements.

The government will increase the National Living Wage for individuals aged 23 and over by 9.7% from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour, effective from 1 April 2023.

The commitment to the pensions Triple Lock remains, which will increase the State Pension in line with September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of 10.1%. This means that the value of the basic State Pension will increase in April 2023 from £141.85 per week to £156.20 per week, while the full new State Pension will rise from £185.15 to £203.85 per week. The standard minimum income guarantee in Pension Credit will also increase in line with inflation from April 2023 (rather than in line with average earnings growth).

The Income Tax additional rate threshold (ART) at which 45p becomes payable will be lowered from £150,000 to £125,140 from 6 April 2023. The ART for non-savings and non-dividend income will apply to taxpayers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ART for savings and dividend income will apply UK-wide.

The Dividend Allowance will be reduced from £2,000 to £1,000 from April 2023, and to £500 from April 2024.

The annual Capital Gains Tax exemption will be reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023 and then to £3,000 from April 2024.

The change to Stamp Duty Land Tax threshold for England and Northern Ireland, which was announced on 23 September 2022, remains in place until 31 March 2025. The nil rate threshold is £250,000 for all purchasers and £425,000 for first-time buyers.

In addition:

  • The Income Tax Personal Allowance and higher rate threshold are to remain at current levels – £12,570 and £50,270 respectively – until April 2028 (rates and thresholds may differ for taxpayers in parts of the UK where Income Tax is devolved)
  • Inheritance Tax nil-rate bands remain at £325,000 nil-rate band, £175,000 residence nil-rate band, with taper starting at £2m – fixed at these levels for a further two years until April 2028
  • National Insurance contributions (NICs) Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) and Upper Profits Limit (UPL) frozen for a further two years until April 2028
  • The 2022-23 tax year ISA (Individual Savings Account) allowance remains at £20,000 and the JISA (Junior Individual Savings Account) allowance and Child Trust Fund annual subscription limits remain at £9,000
  • The Lifetime Allowance for pensions remains at its current level of £1,073,100 until April 2026.

Business measures

  • The National Insurance Secondary Threshold is frozen at £9,100 until April 2028
  • The VAT registration threshold is fixed at £85,000 for two years from April 2024
  • R&D tax credits to be reformed to ensure public money is spent effectively and best supports innovation
  • Businesses making extraordinary profits due to external factors are required to contribute more, including those in the oil and gas sector – the Energy Profits Levy is now extended to the end of March 2028, and the rate is increased by 10 percentage points to 35% from 1 January 2023
  • A new temporary 45% levy will be introduced for electricity generators from 1 January 2023
  • A package of targeted support to help with business rates costs worth £13.6bn over the next five years
  • The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) is to be set at its highest ever permanent level of £1m from 1 April 2023.

Cost-of-living support

The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) per unit will be maintained through the winter, in effect limiting typical energy bills to £2,500 per year. From April 2023 the EPG will rise to £3,000 per year, ending March 2024. The government will double to £200 the level of support for households that use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, coal or biomass.

The Chancellor announced that there will be targeted cost-of-living support measures for those on low incomes, disability benefits and pensions. In 2023-24 an additional Cost of Living Payment of £900 will be provided to households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioner households and £150 to individuals on disability benefits. Rent increases in the social housing sector will be capped at 7% in the next financial year.

Education, health and social care

To promote education and boost the UK’s health and social care system, Mr Hunt announced:

  • An additional £3.3bn per year for the NHS in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 tax years
  • Up to £2.8bn in 2023-24 and £4.7bn in 2024-25 for the social care sector
  • An additional £2.3bn per year for England’s core schools budget in 2023-24 and 2024-25
  • An extra £1.5bn, £1.2bn and £650m have been pledged for hospitals and schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Priorities for growth

Next, the Chancellor moved on to outline his three priorities for economic growth: energy, infrastructure and innovation. Key announcements included:

  • A new Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk
  • New funding of £6bn from 2025 to meet the government’s objective to reduce energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030
  • Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 to go ahead as planned
  • A commitment to proceed with round two of the levelling up fund, at least matching the £1.7bn value of round one
  • The removal of import tariffs on over 100 goods used by UK businesses
  • An increase in public funding for R&D to £20bn by 2024-25.

Other key points

  • Vehicle Excise Duty chargeable on electric cars, vans and motorcycles from April 2025
  • Local authorities in England given additional Council Tax flexibility by modifying the referendum limit for increases
  • Review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, findings to be published by 31 December 2022
  • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will publish the government’s Review of the State Pension Age in early 2023
  • Defence spending to be at least 2% of national income
  • Overseas aid spending to be kept at 0.5% for next five years.

Closing comments

Jeremy Hunt signed off his announcement saying, “There is a global energy crisis, a global inflation crisis and a global economic crisis, but the British people are tough, inventive and resourceful. We have risen to bigger challenges before. We aren’t immune to these headwinds but with this plan for stability, growth and public services, we will face into the storm… I commend this statement to the House.”

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding of taxation and can be subject to change in future. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK; please ask for details. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

All details are believed to be correct at the time of writing (17 November 2022)

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Economic Review October

Economic Review October

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You can read a pdf version of this update here

Chancellor’s fiscal statement delayed

The government has pushed back the date of its much-anticipated Medium-Term Fiscal Plan in order to ensure it is based on the “most accurate” economic forecasts available.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had been due to deliver his first fiscal statement detailing how the government plans to repair the country’s public finances on 31 October, but following Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister, it was decided to move the announcement back by two-and-a-half weeks.

The fiscal event, which will now be delivered on 17 November, has also been upgraded to a full Autumn Statement, paving the way for wider taxation policies to be announced. The Chancellor’s tax and spending plans will also be accompanied by updated economic growth and borrowing forecasts produced by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

When announcing the postponement, Mr Hunt said, “Our number one priority is economic stability and restoring confidence that the United Kingdom is a country that pays its way. I’m willing to make choices that are politically embarrassing if they’re the right thing to do for the country, if they’re in the national interest.”

Financial markets were relatively calm after the news broke with analysts describing the delay as understandable, and both sterling and government bond prices were little changed by the announcement. The International Monetary Fund, which had criticised the previous Chancellor’s unfunded tax cuts, offered support to the incoming Prime Minister, with the organisation’s Chief Kristalina Georgieva suggesting Rishi Sunak will bring “fiscal discipline” to the UK.

The Chancellor has been keen to demonstrate his fiscal credentials, reiterating his commitment to “debt falling over the medium term.” This suggests the government will have some tough tax and spending decisions to make in order to fill the budget black hole, with Treasury officials warning people “should not underestimate the scale of this challenge.”

Inflation back at 40-year high

Soaring food prices have pushed the UK inflation rate back to a four-decade high, fuelling expectations of a sharp interest rate hike at the next Bank of England (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in early November.

Data released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the headline rate of inflation rose to 10.1% in September after dipping to 9.9% in August. This was slightly above analysts’ expectations and took consumer price inflation back to a 40-year high previously hit in July.

The food and non-alcoholic drinks sector was the biggest upward contributor to September’s rise, with prices in this category recording their biggest jump since April 1980. ONS said the price of most key items in an average household’s food basket rose, including fish, sugar, fruit and rice, as the war in Ukraine and recent weakness in the pound made both food products and ingredients more expensive.

This further jump in inflation has placed additional pressure on the BoE to raise interest rates when its next MPC meeting concludes on 3 November. Speaking at a G30 event in Washington in mid-October, Bank Governor Andrew Bailey acknowledged rates may need to rise by more than the BoE had previously envisaged. The Governor said, “We will not hesitate to raise interest rates to meet the inflation target. And, as things stand today, my best guess is that inflationary pressures will require a stronger response than we perhaps thought in August.”

While the Chancellor’s decision to delay his fiscal statement until after the Bank’s November meeting will make policymakers’ deliberations more difficult, analysts still expect them to take decisive action. Indeed, over half of respondents in a recent Reuters poll of economists expect rates to rise by 0.75% in November, with most of the others predicting a 1% increase.

Markets (Data compiled by TOMD)

As October drew to a close, UK stock markets benefited from a Halloween rebound. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed the month at a five-week high, up 2.91% to 7,094.53, buoyed by gains across Britain’s high street banks, amid expectations of an imminent Bank Rate rise. The FTSE 250 registered a gain of 4.20%, while the FTSE AIM ended October with a small loss of 0.03%.

On the continent, the Euro Stoxx 50 closed the month up 9.02%. Eurozone annual inflation reached a record high of 10.7% in October, ahead of analyst expectations of 10.3%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 closed October on 27,587.46, up 6.36%. The Bank of Japan has chosen to maintain ultra-low interest rates, bucking the tightening trend among global central banks.

Across the pond, earnings season is in full swing and US markets are awaiting the highly anticipated Federal Reserve rates meeting in early November. Following a challenging September, markets made a comeback in October, with the Dow closing the month up 13.95% on 32,732.95, its best monthly advance since January 1976. Meanwhile the tech-orientated Nasdaq closed October on 10,988.15, up 3.90%.

On the foreign exchanges, the euro closed at €1.16 against sterling. The US dollar closed the month at $1.14 against sterling and at $0.98 against the euro.

Gold is currently trading at around $1,639 a troy ounce, a loss of 1.96% on the month. Pressure from anticipated rate hikes, rising yields and the relative strength of the dollar are weighing on the precious metal. Brent Crude closed the month trading at around $91 a barrel, a gain of 7.05%, following a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) alliance to make sizable cuts to output from November.

Index                                   Value (31/10/22)                           Movement since 30/09/22

FTSE 100                             7,094.53                                             +2.91%                               

FTSE 250                             17,889.93                                           +4.20%                

FTSE AIM                           806.13                                                  -0.03%                

Euro Stoxx 50                   3,617.54                                               +9.02%                

NASDAQ Composite       10,988.15                                            +3.90%                

Dow Jones                         32,732.95                                             +13.95%                            

Nikkei 225                         27,587.46                                              +6.36%

 

UK economy unexpectedly shrinks

Growth statistics released by ONS show the economy unexpectedly contracted in August while forward-looking indicators point to further deterioration following the country’s recent political and market turmoil.

According to the latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in August with output in both the production and services sectors falling back. ONS noted that a number of customer-facing businesses, including retail, hairdressers and hotels, had all fared ‘relatively poorly’ during the month.

August’s figure was significantly weaker than analysts’ expectations, with the consensus from a Reuters poll of economists pointing to zero growth. July’s GDP figure was also revised down to 0.1% from a previous estimate of 0.2%; as a result, output across the three months to August as a whole fell by 0.3%.

Analysts have warned that September could see an even sharper decline, partly due to the extra Bank Holiday to mark the Queen’s funeral and reduction in business opening hours during the period of mourning. Recent survey evidence also suggests the downturn is set to intensify, with October’s preliminary headline reading of S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index showing the pace of economic decline ‘gathered momentum after the recent political and financial market upheavals.’               

Unemployment rate falls again

The latest labour market statistics showed that the rate of unemployment in the UK declined to its lowest level in nearly 50 years, driven by an increase in the number of people leaving the workforce.

ONS figures showed the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in the three months to August, its lowest level since December to February 1974. This decline, however, was due to an increase in the number of working-age adults who are neither working nor looking for work.

The economic inactivity rate, which measures the proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds who are not in the labour force, rose to 21.7% in the June to August period, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous quarter. This rise was partly driven by an increase in student numbers, as well as a rise in the number of people suffering with a long-term illness, which rose to a record high.

This resulted in the ratio of unemployed people to job vacancies dropping to a record low, despite the latest data revealing a decline in the total number of vacancies. ONS noted that the fall in vacancies was due to a number of employers reducing recruitment ‘due to a variety of economic pressures.’

All details are correct at the time of writing (01 Nov 2022).

Contact us to talk about how this announcement affects your investments

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Protecting your business: Key Person Insurance

Protecting your business: Key Person Insurance

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Running a business is full of challenges. While keeping your current clients happy and planning for business growth, you are probably also thinking about how to attract new clients and deal with any future issues. Arranging Key Person Insurance may not be on your list of things to do this year.

You may have plans if things go wrong in your business, for example a robust back up system for your data or insurance for your premises. But have you thought about insuring the people within your business? According to government statistics, only 25% of businesses ever get to the point where they employ staff, so building an effective team is a big step and it takes time and effort. Regardless of the sector you operate in, recruiting great people can be really tough. Add to that, the statistics around some critical illnesses make difficult reading – in the UK 375,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Accident statistics are also shocking: 1,608 people were killed and 26,701 were seriously injured in road accidents in the UK in 2021. Each of those statistics is a person who has a family, a job and an employer.

When we talk with our clients, if they own a business we often raise the subject of Key Person Protection. Many of them have not heard of it, despite that fact that it can be a very helpful business investment.

What is Key Person Protection?

Key Person Protection is one way to safeguard your business against the death, terminal or critical illness of a key person in your organisation. It is an insurance policy which is designed to pay out a lump sum on the death or illness of the insured key person during the length of the policy.

This could be used to find a replacement, to pay off a loan or to make up a shortfall in revenue. Any of these actions can help keep your business trading and protect the livelihoods of everyone else connected with the business.

Who counts as a key person within your business?

A key person could be anyone who is crucial to the day to day running of your company. This might be a business partner, a director, an employee, or anyone whose skill, knowledge and experience affect revenue.

How should I consider who to include in a Key Person Protection policy?

Consider the responsibilities a key person might have. Think if any loans or financial commitments depend on that person, whether their loss would have an impact on sales, or whether their absence would impact on future planning.

How much could it cost my business to protect my key people?

Like any form of life insurance, premiums are calculated depending on a number of factors including the sum assured, the key person’s lifestyle and age, if they smoke and their health history. If you would like an idea of how much it could cost your small business to insure your key people, please talk to us and we can advise you.

Do you recommend a particular product?

No, we look at a wide cross section of the market, so it’s our job to research suitable insurance companies and find the right policy to suit your business.

Why should I spend money on Key Person Protection at the moment?

This is an important question, and we understand you may be keen to limit the costs in your business. However we believe you should think of Key Person Protection in the same way as you think of other insurances, back ups and contingency plans. It’s simply a tool to ensure that one person’s bad luck doesn’t end up having catastrophic consequences for the whole company.

 

To talk to us about Key Person Protection and other ways we can support your business, call 01332 913006.

 

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Your window on wealth Autumn 2022

Your window on wealth Autumn 2022

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Welcome to our quarterly newsletter Your Window on Wealth. If you would like to discuss any of the items in this edition, please call us for an appointment on 01332 913006.

If you would prefer to download this, you can do so here

 

The growing need for intergenerational planning

With the next 30 years set to witness the largest ever intergenerational passing of wealth, the need for inheritance advice has never been greater. Intergenerational planning, however, can also help with more immediate financial needs, particularly when generations work collaboratively to find solutions that support the whole family both now and in the future.

Inflation concerns

Currently, financial pressures are proving a key challenge across all generations, especially the impact of soaring energy bills as we move towards the winter period. The cost-of-living squeeze, though, is not only impacting people’s current spending power but also their future decision-making capabilities with regard to key issues such as housing, private education or university.

Balancing current and future needs

This has resulted in families increasingly adopting integrated strategies, especially in relation to gifting, in order to address imminent financial challenges. While reducing future Inheritance Tax liabilities inevitably remains at the heart of intergenerational planning decisions, the growing necessity to balance today’s and tomorrow’s needs is resulting in the focus shifting to support for children and grandchildren now.

Involving the generations

Intergenerational planning tends to be most effective when the process is not just focused on those who currently hold wealth. While funding a comfortable retirement and quality of care for the ‘caretaker’ generations remain fundamental elements of intergenerational planning, delivery of support for the coming generations and ensuring wealth passes efficiently to the right individuals at the right time have become increasingly important dimensions.

More families share an adviser

Greater involvement across multiple generations has also seen sharing a financial adviser become increasingly commonplace. This trend offers significant benefits, particularly when it comes to joining up a whole family’s needs with inheritance and gifting strategies, while treating all family members fairly.

Encouraging conversations

If your family needs help with any aspect of intergenerational planning, then please get in touch. We’ll be happy to assist by encouraging more open financial conversations across the generations.

 

Retirement – where’s your “happy place”?

If you’re in Wiltshire and about to retire, you’re doing it in the right place

This is according to an online search engine that helps retirees and their families find the best retirement communities and care homes. The research found that Google searches for ‘retirement homes in Wiltshire’ have soared by 150% in the last year alone – and for good reason! With its beautiful countryside, historic towns and City of Salisbury, and great investment potential, Wiltshire is an ideal location to live out one’s later years. In close second and third places are Buckinghamshire and Dorset, scoring high on both investment potential and wellbeing.

Reaching your financial happy place

No matter where you’re located, though, the truth remains that you’ll struggle to achieve a happy and fulfilled life in retirement without an adequate level of income. So, how much money do today’s retirees need to live their best life after quitting work? According to a recent survey, the average retired couple spends £2,333 a month (around £28,000 per year) to be ‘comfortable’ – i.e. having enough to cover their basic expenditure requirements in addition to some luxuries such as holidays, hobbies and dining out.

 

Challenging waters ahead

Even experienced investors are likely to find the current investment environment a challenge, particularly when one considers the array of uncertainties in the post-COVID economy which are so fundamentally different to those faced during the last two years. Opportunities, however, are still available to investors who can steer a safe course through choppy waters.

Uncertainty abounds

One look at the latest economic forecasts released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gives a strong hint of the challenges that lie ahead. The international soothsayer described the current outlook as ‘gloomy and more uncertain’ as it reduced its global growth forecast to 3.2% this year and 2.9% in 2023, downgrades of 0.4 and 0.7 percentage points from April’s predictions.

Risks skewed downwards

The IMF noted several shocks that have hit a world economy already weakened by the pandemic. These include higher-than-expected inflation worldwide which is triggering tighter financial conditions; a worse-than-anticipated slowdown in China, and further fallout from the war in Ukraine. It also stressed that risks are ‘overwhelmingly tilted to the downside.’

But opportunities remain

This economic sea-change clearly presents a serious challenge to investors. However, while managing portfolios in a high-inflation environment may require some change in course, there are still opportunities out there.

Help at hand

And of course, we’re always here to help. So, if you want to take stock of your investments, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help steer you through any troubled waters.

 

In the news

Healthy dividends

UK listed companies paid out £37bn in shareholder dividends between April and June, up 38.6% from the same period last year, making Q2 the second largest UK dividend payout on record.

Large one-off special payments were a key driver, but underlying dividends, which exclude these volatile specials, jumped by 27.0% to £32.0bn, boosted by weaker sterling.

The Growth Plan 2022

On 23 September, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng outlined a series of tax cuts and measures. Key personal tax announcements included:

  • A reversal of the National Insurance contribution rise, which came into force in April. The 1.25 percentage point increase will be reversed from 6 November. The planned Health and Social Care Levy which was due to replace the National Insurance rise as a new standalone tax from April 2023 has also been cancelled
  • A reduction in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland, raising the residential nil-rate threshold from £125,000 to £250,000, with immediate effect, and First Time Buyers Relief from £300,000 to £425,000. The maximum amount that an individual can pay for a home while remaining eligible for First Time Buyers’ Relief, was increased from £500,000 to £625,000. As SDLT is devolved in Scotland and Wales, the Scottish and Welsh Governments will receive funding through an agreed fiscal framework to allocate as they see fit
  • The basic rate of Income Tax will be cut to 19% in April 2023 – one year earlier than previously planned. At present, people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay 20% on annual earnings between £12,571 and £50,270, different rates apply in Scotland
  • The government is reversing the 1.25 percentage point increase in Dividend Tax rates applying UK-wide from 6 April 2023, so the ordinary and upper rates of Dividend Tax will revert to 7.5% and 32.5% respectively.

 

Children’s pensions: Saving for their future

It may be an old adage, but definitely one that remains true – it really never is too early to start a pension. So, if you’re looking to help secure the long-term financial future of your child, or grandchild, saving into a pension on their behalf may be a suitable option worth considering, in addition to provision for earlier decades.

Tax incentives and compound returns

In some ways, saving for a child’s pension when they are so far from retirement can seem odd but it can actually make sound financial sense. Junior pensions can be set up as soon as a child is born and contributions up to £2,880 per annum attract tax relief of 20% from the government. Another benefit of saving at a young age is the power of compounding returns which provide growth on growth across the years.

Small amounts add up

These two factors mean you don’t have to save huge sums to make a big difference; saving little and often really can add up in the long term. Current rules allow savings of up to £2,880 per annum into a child’s pension.

Fulfilling and rewarding

Providing financial security for children, or grandchildren, is a key goal for many and saving on their behalf can therefore be fulfilling for you and rewarding for them. If you’d like to give your loved ones a financial head start, then get in touch.

 

An “epidemic of fraud” impacting young and old

The latest annual fraud report published by UK Finance stresses the need for an urgent response to ‘the epidemic of fraud’ that the UK is currently facing.

The report reveals that £1.3bn was stolen by criminals through authorised and unauthorised fraud in 2021. In total, 56% of UK adults4 have received a suspicious communication or known someone who has in the last year, which equates to an estimated 29.6 million UK adults being affected by scams last year.

Preying on the elderly

Reportedly, scam victims aged over 70 lost about £977m5 in total between April 2019 and 2022. Official figures fail to capture the true extent of such fraud because these crimes remain under-reported, especially among elderly people who live alone.

Cost of living

During the pandemic, criminals exploited victims’ fears over coronavirus. Now, the cost-of-living crisis has become a new line of attack. The UK Finance report showed that authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where victims are tricked into transferring money into scammers’ accounts, leapt by 40% last year. Such techniques are now being used to prey on people’s financial preoccupations.

Tech effect

Everyone, young or old, can be a victim of fraud. Indeed, under-25s are more likely to be defrauded on the phone than older generations. One study found the youngest cohort 75% more likely to have been scammed this way than those over fifty-five.

Scammers are also seeing a growing opportunity in cryptocurrencies, which are not regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. In the year to May 2022, crypto frauds soared 58% to £226m, new research has found.

Don’t suffer in silence

Anyone can be a victim of fraud. We can help you protect your finances.

 

All eyes on COP27

As the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, although other headwinds exist, governments, businesses and the financial world are refocusing on what the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) describe as ‘the greatest threat to the wellbeing of humanity and to the ecosystems on which we depend’ – climate change.

According to the PRI, a United Nations-supported initiative, many are now recognising ‘the enormous opportunity for economic growth and investment returns presented by the transition to net-zero emissions.’ The PRI reflect a firm belief that ‘the financial sector and the investment community will play a central role in the global response to climate change and supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.’

COP27

A year after the United Nations 26th Conference of the Parties, on British shores, the upcoming COP27 climate conference is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this November. Last year, delegates from almost 200 countries agreed upon the Glasgow Climate Pact at COP26, which builds upon targets set out in the Paris Agreement, an international legally binding treaty intended to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Key pledges made by governments last year included commitments to end deforestation, cut global methane emissions and to transition to zero-emission vehicles. Countries were asked to return to this year’s conference with a plan to strengthen their 2030 commitments.

“A decisive decade for climate action”

Mahmoud Mohieldin, the UN climate change high-level champion for Egypt, hopes the 2022 conference will be an important milestone in what he calls “a decisive decade for climate action.” In his view, COP27 should undertake an “urgent, ambitious, impactful, and transformative agenda, guided by a holistic approach to sustainable development,” based upon the principle of equity and informed by science.

“In light of the goals and objectives… we will promote a stronger focus on implementation, transforming commitments into actions and translating the pledges of the summits into solutions in the field,” he continued, “While acknowledging the complexities of the different political, economic and developmental challenges, it is incumbent on us all to raise the threshold of action at COP27.”

Climate change for investors

COP27 will undoubtedly be of interest to investors engaged with climate change, with key announcements potentially impacting their portfolios. Investment decisions have a role to play, and the investment industry continues to play a pivotal role in the global climate transition. One investor initiative – The Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative – has now grown to over 270 investor signatories with over $60trn assets under management – all committed to supporting the goal to reach net zero and investments aligned with net zero emissions.

COP provides an opportunity for institutional investors to consider how they can innovate in developing solutions to solve climate issues and in financing sector transition. PRI deduce that, ‘Investors increasingly recognise the threat posed by climate change to the global economy, and therefore to their ability to meet the needs of their beneficiaries over the decades to come… They understand the imperative to engage with the companies in which they invest, and the policymakers who write the laws, to ensure that both groups respond appropriately to the threats and opportunities involved.’

 

Good to know – IHT share loss relief

In challenging market conditions, it’s likely that some bereft individuals will inherit investments that have fallen in value.

Through IHT share loss relief, people inheriting can be entitled to claim a tax rebate when they sell certain qualifying investments at a loss. Strict rules, criteria and exemptions apply however. For example, to be eligible for the relief, the sale of the qualifying investment (shares listed on a recognised stock exchange excluding AIM, government bonds and/or holdings in investment funds) has to be within 12 months of the date of death. Interestingly, according to recent data, few people reclaim the overpaid tax, with just 1,640 taxpayers a year on average (between 2014 and 2019) applying for refunds.

 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADVICE OR INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE AREAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

 

All details are correct at time of writing – September 2022.

 

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Economic Update September: Mini budget edition

Economic Update September: Mini budget edition

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You can read a pdf version of this update here

A day after Bank Rate rose from 1.75% to 2.25%, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng delivered his first statement on 23 September, outlining a series of tax cuts and measures aimed at boosting economic activity and growth.

Moving straight to the pressing matter of energy costs, Mr Kwarteng reiterated steps taken to support families and businesses, including the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and the Energy Markets Financing Scheme.

With a keen growth focus, the Chancellor professed, “We need a new approach for a new era,” before announcing a Growth Plan built around three key priorities: reforming the supply-side of the economy, maintaining a responsible approach to public finances and cutting taxes to boost growth. A ‘Medium-Term Fiscal Plan’ will be outlined in the coming months and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will be publishing an economic and fiscal forecast before the end of 2022. In the meantime, the government has set a target of reaching a 2.5% trend growth rate for the UK economy, with a tax simplification theme front and centre. The key announcements were:

National Insurance

A reversal of last April’s National Insurance contribution rise was confirmed by the government on 22 September. The 1.25 percentage point increase will be reversed from 6 November. The planned Health and Social Care Levy, due to replace the National Insurance rise as a new standalone tax from April 2023, has also been cancelled.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

The Chancellor announced a reduction in SDLT in England and Northern Ireland, raising the residential nil-rate threshold from £125,000 to £250,000, with immediate effect, and First Time Buyers’ Relief from £300,000 to £425,000. He also increased the maximum amount that an individual can pay for a home, while remaining eligible for First Time Buyers’ Relief, from £500,000 to £625,000. As SDLT is devolved in Scotland and Wales, the Scottish and Welsh Governments will receive funding through an agreed fiscal framework to allocate as they see fit.

Income Tax

The basic rate of Income Tax will be cut to 19% in April 2023 – one year earlier than previously planned. At present, people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay 20% on annual earnings between £12,571 and £50,270; different rates apply in Scotland. The highest rate of Income Tax (the ‘additional rate’ paid at 45% by those earning over £150,000) will be abolished. From April 2023 there will be a single higher rate of Income Tax of 40%.

Dividend Tax

The government is reversing the 1.25 percentage point increase in Dividend Tax rates applying UK-wide from 6 April 2023, so the ordinary and upper rates of Dividend Tax will revert to 7.5% and 32.5% respectively.

Business measures

  • The planned rise in Corporation Tax to 25% in 2023 will not go ahead; the rate will remain at 19%
  • The Annual Investment Allowance, which is the amount that companies can invest tax free, will be made permanent and remain at £1m
  • The IR35 rule reforms which govern off-payroll working will be repealed from 6 April 2023
  • The government intends to establish new Investment Zones in 38 areas in England, providing businesses with tax incentives and reduced regulation, such as fast-tracked planning applications, to drive growth and encourage investment. There are plans to expand investment zones across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • The cap on bankers’ bonuses has been lifted
  • Increasing the generosity and availability of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) from April 2023.

Other announcements included:

  • Bringing forward reform of the pensions regulatory charge cap
  • Alcohol duty rates will be frozen from 1 February 2023
  • Plans to reform the infrastructure planning system and to prioritise 138 key projects
  • Universal Credit rules will be tightened, leading to a reduction in benefits if people don’t fulfil job search commitments
  • VAT-free shopping scheme to be introduced for overseas visitors – currently in consultation
  • Tightening union legislation, implementing Minimum Service Levels for transport services and forcing unions to put pay offers to a vote by their members.

As he left the dispatch box the Chancellor concluded, “Our entire focus is on making Britain more globally competitive… We promised to prioritise growth. We promised a new approach for a new era. We promised to release the enormous potential of this country. Our Growth Plan has delivered all those promises and more. And I commend it to the House.”

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding of taxation and HMRC rules and can be subject to change in future. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK; please ask for details. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

All details are correct at the time of writing (23 September 2022)

Contact us to talk about how this announcement affects your investments

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Doing the responsible thing: our commitment to ESG

Doing the responsible thing: our commitment to ESG

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At Sheldon Flanders we are committed to doing the right thing – for our clients, our team and the wider community. We are a small business, but we believe that even the smallest business has a responsibility to do what we can to make the world a better place.

With ongoing news coverage of the effects of climate change, we have been asking ourselves this year how we can leave a smaller imprint on the world.

Governing investments

At the same time we have been hearing more and more from the financial institutions that we work with about investing with a conscience.

Ethical investing has been around for a while and covers issues such as not animal testing or investing in tobacco or arms. These funds traditionally didn’t do so well but more recently we have been learning about ESG funds. ESG stands for environmental, social and governance factors.

ESG is an overall term for an approach to investing where we consider the values of the businesses we are investing in, as well as the financial return we may achieve. Environmental factors might include the business’ energy consumption or their policy on climate change. Social factors could include their track record on workers’ rights, equality and diversity or the gender pay gap. Governance issues are to do with the way the company is run.

Making a change

We have always been a values led business, but we have decided to update our values this year, and put a focus on these investments. With every new client when we research  suitable investments for them, from now on we will only recommend sustainable investments. We will explain these funds clearly to you when we present our recommendations, and are always happy to explain any aspect of the fund and their features.

Our commitment to provide clear information to clients on all the available options remains firm. We will be happy to listen to your own preferences for funds, and can focus on investments in, for example, sustainable technology or we can ensure particular industries or countries are excluded from your portfolio.

Existing clients

For existing clients we will discuss your options at your next regular review, and we can make any changes that you wish. We want to encourage forward thinking and responsible approaches to investing and we promise to have those open conversations with you.

A word about greenwashing

You may have heard the term greenwashing, which is when companies over inflate their “green” credentials as part of an overall marketing strategy.

We are very aware that there isn’t an industry standard definition of ESG investments, so we will need to do our homework on each individual fund before we recommend it to a client. This is an area that will continue to change. So as the financial industry continues to develop its approach to ESG investments, we will continue to stay up to date with the latest thinking and ensure our clients have the very best advice.

Improving how we do business

Alongside this major commitment, we are also determined to make changes in our office. We are working to reduce our consumption of paper and plastics, as well as offering online appointments to clients. These are small every day steps that we can make, and we know that our clients will be keen to support us.

Please do get in touch to talk to us about our commitment to ESG investing.

You can read our full mission and values statement on our website.

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Economic Review August 2022

Economic Review August 2022

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Data released by the Office for
National Statistics (ONS) revealed that
total retail sales volumes rose by 0.3%
in July; this was the first increase in
three months and confounded economists’ expectations of a small monthly
decline. Growth was largely driven by
a surge in online and mail order sales,
which recorded their sharpest rise
since December.
July saw Amazon hold its annual
Prime Day promotion, although ONS
did say that greater spending was seen
across a number of online retailers, with
sales figures boosted by ‘a range of
offers and promotions.’ The British Retail
Consortium also noted that ‘the summer
sunshine’ had provided a boost to the
figures, with sales of ‘summer clothing,
air conditioning appliances and outdoor
foods’ all benefitting from record
temperatures.

Economic Review August 2022

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Why female entrepreneurs need to think about pensions

Why female entrepreneurs need to think about pensions

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In Pensions Awareness Week our MD Karen Sheldon reflects on why she is so determined to ensure women entrepreneurs are thinking about their financial futures.

Like so many women I started my career in a corporate environment. I was good at what I did, I earnt the bonuses and went on the conferences and sales trips. It’s easy to take many things for granted when you work for a big organisation. Your salary drops into your bank account at the end of the month, there’s always someone to ask if you have IT problems, and you are part of a pension scheme.

Like many women when they become parents, I came to the point when working for someone else wasn’t working for me or my family and I decided to set up my own business. Not only did I learn quickly how to sort out any IT problems, I made sure to set up my own pension fund and prioritise making payments over the years of growing the business. As a pensions adviser, this was second nature to me. But I realised that for many women in the same position as me, starting their own business after a long corporate career, this wasn’t a priority.

This is why, in Pensions Awareness Week, I’m so determined to ensure that other female entrepreneurs are building pension planning into their business finances. Here’s why you – as a female entrepreneur – need to think about your pension:

Your state pension may be later and less than you think

If you were hoping that the state pension will step in and support you in your retirement, let me give you a reality check. You won’t be able to claim a state pension until well into your 60s – use the government tool here to check exactly when https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age And it may not be as much as you think. The current state pension is £185.15 a week, assuming you have made adequate NI contributions. Whilst a good staple building block, for many it just won’t be enough to enjoy your retirement, so you will need to think about other sources of income.

Women have less in their pension funds

According to research by Legal and General earlier this year, women have significantly less in their pension pot regardless of which sector they are in.

This is particularly worrying because women are likely to live longer than men, so really should have larger pensions at the point of retirement.

Add to this, research in 2019 by Scottish Widows showed that more than a third (35%) of female entrepreneurs are saving nothing for their retirement. That’s almost 600,000 women who will have no savings to fall back on in later life. It revealed that less than half of self-employed women save the minimum recommended level for retirement.

There are many reasons for this. If we are starting a new business in our mid career, we will prioritise other financial matters before our pensions. We may find it harder to access finance, so we are more likely to self-fund our businesses. We may also be working fewer hours, to allow for caring responsibilities, so our turnover is reduced.

If we are in a relationship, our incomes may be less than our partners, and seen as less important, or simply an income for extras, such as holidays. We are more likely to prioritise putting funds into savings for our children.

All of these factors play a significant part in the funds we have available to invest in pensions.

Women think differently about money

Aside from demographic issues, attitudes towards money may also be important. The Fidelity Global Women and Money report 2021 suggests that while women’s incomes globally increased to $24 trillion in 2020, up from $20 trillion in 2018, we do not think of ourselves as investors.

Legal and General’s research showed that “women are less likely than men to feel confident managing their investments (22% of women versus 41% of men), and their savings (56% of women versus 67% of men).”

Simply put, we don’t see ourselves as investors, so we don’t invest.

We are still impacted by the pandemic and cost of living

Add to all these ongoing factors, nearly one in five women (18%) has reduced the amount of money she is saving into a pension as a direct result of the pandemic. As we face a cost of living crisis in the UK, women entrepreneurs may be tempted to reduce or completely stop their pension payments in favour of other more pressing concerns.

What is the solution?

There is a lot of work to do to ensure that women entrepreneurs have the financial future they deserve. You can’t just rely on the state pension and anything that you may have saved from their corporate career. You can start a personal pension with a relatively small amount, and there may be significant tax implications from investing, depending on the structure of your business. The key is to start, and to save regularly.

Whatever your concerns about investing in a pension, I would be really happy to talk to you about it. Please book a free initial conversation by calling the office. Because financial health is financial wealth.

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

How can I protect my income when inflation is rising?

How can I protect my income when inflation is rising?

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Currently a question that many of our clients are asking is, how can I plan my income when inflation is rising?

We work with many clients at the point of retirement, helping them choose the right investments for their next stage in life. We are also pleased to work with those people as they start the next phase of their lives, helping them manage their investments to ensure they can fund the lifestyle they have always dreamed of in retirement. The impact on inflation is something they are aware of and concerned about.

What is inflation?

Inflation is the rate at which the cost of everyday things like food, transport and electricity increase over time. The Bank of England tracks inflation using the Consumer Price Index, which monitors the prices of hundreds of goods and services. In the latest government figures, the Consumer Price Index rose by 9.4% in the 12 months to June 2022. This is the highest rate for 30 years, and is climbing month on month.

The impact of inflation

The impact of inflation means that your money is worth less over time. For our retired clients, this can be a cause for concern. While they are economically active they may earn more money, through higher salaries or growing their business. Once they are no longer earning a salary, their income tends to come from investments. This means they have a fixed income which is worth less as prices rise.

However the Bank of England has responded to inflation by increasing interest rates, and clients with significant investments will see benefits from this move.

Pensions and inflation

If you are not yet at retirement age, one way of protecting yourself against inflation is to invest your money in a pension. Because these are invested in the stock market and are often long term investments, they tend to grow, despite the short term fluctuations of the market. Between 2015 and 2019, pension funds grew by an average of 7.4% per year – much higher than the average 1.53% inflation over the same period. If you have many years before retirement, it is likely that your final pension pot may be unaffected by the current inflation rate.

What can clients do?

In summary, you may not be able to completely protect your pension and investments against the impact of inflation. But the impact of that on your lifestyle will depend on many factors.

It may be helpful to carry out a full review of your outgoings, to ensure you are budgeting to allow for increases in day to day costs without increases in your pension payments.

Our general advice is always to be aware of the specific terms of your pensions and investments with regards to inflation. This means you can take action based on your own specific circumstances rather than being concerned about headlines. If you would like a review of your current pension to understand the implications of the current inflation rate, please get in touch.

For clients due to retire this year, we can also look at the pros and cons of taking some of your pension as cash, buying an annuity or investing to get a regular income.

 

Because financial health is financial wealth.

 

To book an appointment to talk to us about your financial health, call us on 01332 913006

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

Economic Review July 2022

Economic Review July 2022

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Figures released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the economy returned to growth in May after contracting during April. In total, UK economic output rose by 0.5% across the month, significantly exceeding the consensus forecast from a Reuters poll of economists which had predicted zero growth.

ONS said the main sectors of the economy all expanded during May including construction, travel and manufacturing. The data also revealed significant growth within health services as one of the key drivers of growth during the month.

In spite of May’s rebound, analysts still expect the economy to come under increasing pressure in the coming months as the cost-of-living squeeze weighs heavily on households’ ability to spend. Recent survey evidence also points to weaker growth, with July’s preliminary headline reading of S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index recording the weakest rise in UK private sector business activity for 17 months.

Economic Review July 2022

 

Financial health is financial wealth.

If you want to be financially healthy, please book an initial meeting and let’s discover if we can help you
Call us on 01332913006

 

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