Chinese authorities have for some time been accused of manipulating their GDP figures. The latest Q3 figures for 2015 report a 6.9% year-on-year growth which does nothing to allay these suspicions. The unofficial alternative index covering electricity consumption, bank lending,…
Read more...
This widespread opinion comes as government policies have turned to expansion in the US, China and Europe at the same time. In China, recent equity purchases by the Peoples Bank of China (PBC) and interest rate cuts are now filtering…
Read more...
After the dramatic falls in equity markets in August, stock market volatility extended throughout September. These market falls contributed to the worst quarter in global stock markets since quarter 3 of 2011 and the Eurozone crisis. Confidence in the strength…
Read more...
As mentioned in previous articles the lifetime allowance for pensions will reduce from £1.25m to £1m from 6th April 2016. Legislation for both the reduction in the LTA and the protection regimes (fixed protection 2016 and individual protection 2016) will…
Read more...
For the tax year beginning 6th April 2016:- the personal allowance will increase to £11,000 the basic rate limit will be increased to £32,000 the higher rate threshold will be increased to £43,000 From 6th April 2016 there will only…
Read more...
From April 2016 we have 2 important funding rule changes for pensions:- Lifetime Allowance reduces to £1m. AA for high earners is being reduced on a tapered basis. Those with income above £150,000 will see their annual allowance reduced by…
Read more...
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement didn’t contain any major tax or pensions shake ups that have any immediate impact for clients. Key decisions on pension tax relief reform and second hand annuity markets have been postponed. This means we can plan…
Read more...
The proposals are designed to avoid the need for taxpayers to bail out banks ever again. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) the organisation that co-ordinates banking regulation across the G20 Nations, has published new proposals that will require the world’s…
Read more...
Our decision will have far reaching economic impact spanning future generations An in/out referendum on the UK membership of the EU will take place by the end of 2017 but possibly as early as the summer of 2016. This referendum…
Read more...