Tax & Other Financial

The government has responded to the consultation on proposals to exempt certain categories of dwellings from council tax premiums in England. Here's a summary of the key points and exceptions: Exceptions to both the empty and second homes council tax premiums:...

A Green Party politician and potential MP candidate for Brighton, Siân Berry, is advocating for the introduction of rent controls across the country. She criticizes Labour for what she perceives as a weakening stance on this issue. Berry points to a recent YouGov...

In their accounts for the year to 3 December 2023, Mortgage Advice Bureau provided the following market review: Market review The fall in new mortgage approval volumes in the aftermath of the September 2022 mini-budget continued throughout 2023, as the rising costs of...

Landlord Knowledge has published an article pointing that lower Capital Gains Tax might be offset by high exit fees. The article can be seen here, and discusses the implications of a reduction in capital gains tax for landlords in the UK, starting from April 6, 2024....

Mortgage Finance Gazette are reporting how the recent changes to capital gains tax and their impact on landlords, alongside insights into rental market trends. The article can be seen here, and in summary: Changes to Capital Gains Tax: The annual capital gains...

Jo Eccles, a prominent agent is advising landlord clients, regarding the impact of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) cuts announced in the Budget, as well as the broader dynamics of the London property market: Limited Impact of CGT Reduction: Eccles suggests that the CGT...

Major debt advice charities and the Law Centres Network have concerns regarding the Renters (Reform) Bill. Their concerns are: Urgent Need for Reform: The charities urge Secretary of State Michael Gove to prioritize the Renters (Reform) Bill in the current...

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is rolling out stringent new regulations aimed at encouraging Universal Credit claimants to secure employment within specified timeframes to prevent long-term dependency on benefits. This initiative, termed Additional...

The Telegraph is running a piece on pensioners losing out in the budget, as most don't pay national insurance contributions.  They back this up with a brilliant Matt cartoon on the front showing two tax people saying 'Pensioners are the biggest losers in the Budget. ...