Advertisement
Search
Search within

Bosses demand urgent business rates shake-up

Labour promised to 'level the playing field between the High Street and online giants' by replacing the levy, which is paid on the rateable value of a commercial property. But in her first Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves left firms facing a £140 million increase in their bills next year.

More than half of people aged over 66 don't like to ask for support or help from friends or relatives even if they need it, finds a survey by Royal London.

Ease the pain of 'farmer harmer' Starmer's brutal inheritance raid

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' ill-thought-out raid means anyone inheriting a farm worth £1million plus could face a 20 per cent tax on anything above the sum from April 2026 (though still half the 40 per cent rate paid by other estates). The National Farmers' Union fears 75 per cent of the more than 209,000 farms in Britain could be affected. Are there any financial solutions? We asked tax experts Mark Levitt, a partner at tax, accountancy and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, and Sam Dewes, a partner at HW Fisher.

On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert, talk inflation, rates, mortgages and savings, plus farmers and inheritance and the question of the week.

Our neighbour's leaf blowing seems to last for hours and can start before 8am in the morning. We don't get peace and quiet at the weekends either. How can we get some peace and quiet?

The Budget change means the very wealthy still get an inheritance tax break on land, while genuine farmers face the threat to their livelihoods of big IHT bills.

Hyundai has joined the luxury electric SUV club with its new Ioniq 9. And it could steal some of the upcoming electric Range Rover's thunder. Here's what we know about it...

SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEY

On debit card spending. Max £15 p/m*

1% cashback

On debit card spending. Max £15 p/m*

1% cashback

On debit card spending. Max £15 p/m*
Prosper rate boost on GB Bank

4.05% 6 month fix

Prosper rate boost on GB Bank

4.05% 6 month fix

Prosper rate boost on GB Bank
No account fee and free share dealing

Free share offer

No account fee and free share dealing

Free share offer

No account fee and free share dealing
Flexible Isa that now accepts transfers

4.58% cash Isa

Flexible Isa that now accepts transfers

4.58% cash Isa

Flexible Isa that now accepts transfers
Get six months fee-free on a Sipp

Sipp fee offer

Get six months fee-free on a Sipp

Sipp fee offer

Get six months fee-free on a Sipp

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. *Chase: Cashback available for first year. Exceptions apply. 18+, UK residents.

Follow
MailOnline

Follow
@MailOnline

   

DON'T MISS

MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Fintel, the investor who really knows how to win best results

Choosing the right mortgage, insurance or savings products can seem like a minefield, with numerous choices and costly consequences from poor decisions. Fintel helps advisers to steer their customers through this minefield, the company is well managed and should deliver long-term growth. At £2.90, this home-grown technology firm is a buy.

Sara's brilliant career as a retail executive was complemented by a picture-perfect family, with a supportive husband and two children. And then it all unravelled.

Sir Victor was at the helm when Lloyds was strong-armed by the last Labour government into rescuing Halifax Bank of Scotland during the financial crisis.

Millions of homes face higher energy bills as Ofgem price cap rises to £1,738 a year

The price cap, currently £1,717 a year for average energy use, will increase by £1,738 on 1 January 2025. It means the typical home will pay an extra £21 a year for energy, until the price cap is reset again in April.

Women retire on £695 less a month than men

Their pension pots are some 27 per cent smaller than their male counterparts, according to a study from financial services firm Legal & General and think tank the Happiness Research Institute. The research found pensioners of both sexes with an average monthly income of about £1,700 are the most likely to be happy, but just 38 per cent receive an income of this level or above. Women are less likely to achieve this, says Legal & General, as some 28 per cent live on less than £1,000 a month compared to 14 per cent of men.

Six ways to cut inheritance tax on pensions, by money expert GARY SMITH

More families will be drawn into inheritance tax from 2027, and some will want to start planning now to mitigate the effects, says Gary Smith of Evelyn Partners. Many retirees, and especially those close to and above age 75, will be revising what to do with their pots and that will probably lead to more pension savings being drawn down - but there are other options, he explains.

Bitcoin has been one of the big winners since Donald Trump's election victory on hopes that he will usher in an era of crypto-friendly policies.

MicroStrategy's share surge reflects the growing conviction that US 'small-cap' stocks are set for stardom under the Trump regime.

The best EV home chargers: Which ones are worth the money?

Charging on your driveway is on average over 50 per cent per unit cheaper than charging at a public charger, but if you take advantage of smart charging and off-peak electricity rates it can be even greater. To help you pick your new home charger 4,000 EV drivers ranked the best home chargers across seven categories. Here are the results - so you know which charger and installation services are worth every penny.

Westminster penthouse with MI6 history up for grabs for just shy of £4m

A two-bedroom 2,759 sq ft triplex penthouse located in the heart of Westminster, London, has gone on sale for £3,950,000. The unique flat is located at Whitehall Court, the former home of MI6 spymaster Sir Mansfield Cumming and screenwriter Brian Clemens.

I assumed it wasn't possible to refund money back on to a voucher - now I can't get my cash back unless I come up with the serial numbers from the cards.

EXCLUSIVE

Applications made to councils to change the use of a property from commercial to residential have soared in recent years, data shows.

For many investors, including some of those who say they no longer use ESG to direct their decisions, the environment is still a major concern.

In the same week Jaguar unveiled a radical rebrand for its bold electric future, a small Berkshire-based car maker revealed the antithesis; a 'new' classic Jag with a roaring 12-cylinder engine.

Could YOUR pension fund a 35-year retirement? More are living to 100, here's how to go the

The prospect of a '100-year life' is becoming increasingly likely, thanks to medical advancements and improvements in our standard of living. For today's workers, a 35-year retirement is a growing possibility. But can they afford it? We look at how big a pension needs to be - and how to boost your pot.

Buy-to-let landlords are being hit by higher interest rates, higher costs and a less friendly tax regime.

Savers' cash pots have been eroded over the last two years by high inflation, but now 1,606 savings accounts paying an inflation-beating rate.

Heat pump grants offered to more homes - as Government also relaxes noise rules on green

More households will get heat pump grants worth up to £7,500 as the Government has added another £325million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). It is putting more money into the Boiler Upgrade scheme which gives grants for heat pumps - as well as scrapping red tape around the green devices.

Six months ago our rent went up for the second time. Now we're moving and the landlord can't find another tenant who will pay the same price. Was the rise unfair?

New data reveals the things that prospective buyers want to see on a house viewing - and how much extra they are willing to pay for them.

Applying for power of attorney? Avoid these 12 mistakes which could see you rejected

The number of people setting up a legal failsafe in case they fall ill is soaring, but nearly 51,000 applications were rejected last year. Mistakes often made include misspelled names, missing or illegible information and conflicting instructions to attorneys. Find out what errors to avoid, and a checklist of what not to forget, when making applications.

Can fund managers bounce back from a bad run, or is your money better off in a passive

With passive funds proving a much cheaper option for investors, it is unsurprising that an increasing number are choosing to move their investments into passive trackers. But there could also be an opportunity for investors to buy in to struggling active funds ahead of an upturn in fortunes, according to AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth.

How to beat an unfair private car parking ticket, by retired judge STEPHEN GOLD

When sitting as a judge, it fell to me to try a number of parking ticket cases, says author and former judge Stephen Gold. Coming up is a selection of the best defences that have succeeded in the county court. Any of them would be usable in the earlier stages of a dispute - both an initial challenge to the car park operator and a second bite with an independent appeals service.

A newly-published DVLA review has shown that classic car owners had a 'less than satisfactory' experience using the agency's systems.

Jaguar has shifted up another gear with its controversial rebrand by teasing a first glimpse of its radical new electric concept car - and it doesn't have a rear window.

What rising inflation means for you: CPI increases to a six-month high - what happens

The headline and core rate of inflation have both risen. What does this mean for your finances and where does it leave the Bank of England on rate hikes? We look at all this and more.

Although it was the farmers who took to the streets of London yesterday, another group is equally angry about the tax hit they face.

The average house price increased by 2.9 per cent in the 12 months to September, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

How to bag a bargain in the electric car megasale: The models to avoid and the ones to

For anyone looking to buy a new electric vehicle it seems to be Black Friday all month. UK car dealers are offering dramatic discounts of more than a third off some new EV prices. This year, even prime models from blue-chip brands are up for grabs at super-low prices. Current offers include £8,000 off the Hyundai Ioniq 5, £9,000 off the VW ID4 SUV and £10,000 off the BMW i4 coupe.

'Out of charge' breakdowns as a percentage of all EV breakdowns are at a record low in 2024 - just 1.85%, suggesting range anxiety is a myth.

I'm a cancer patient being treated by the King's College Hospital Trust. I regularly attend hospital in the Transport for London Ultra Low Emission Zone area.

Why Nvidia is the right way to back AI - and what Trump means for investors: Blue Whale

Blue Whale's Stephen Yiu reveals where he sees Trump as a tailwind and what that means for some of the big name global stocks in his portfolio. The Blue Whale manager also discussed where he sees opportunities now and why he is choosing to back AI in a very specific way.

Gilts could prove a lucrative bargain as analysts eye a looming bounce back after UK government debt sold off sharply heading into the Autumn Budget.

The stock market has been battered and bruised in recent years, hit by regulation, tough economic conditions and investors' love affair with US shares.

Council bills could hit £3,000. Here's how to slash that and even get money back with SIX

The Government has re-committed to keeping the 5% cap on council tax rises. However, in some areas it can be increased by even more. Ahead of the rise, now is the time to see if you can lower your council tax bill or even receive money back - which may apply to you, especially if your circumstances have recently changed.

Who would have thought it would be difficult to open a joint account? Well it is, judging by the number of readers telling me of their experiences.

Savers' cash pots have been eroded over the last two years by high inflation, but now 1,606 savings accounts paying an inflation-beating rate.

I'm a retirement expert and visited Australia to see if pensions REALLY are better than in

Superannuation schemes (Supers) and their performance are often a topic of social conversation, and they are advertised in prominent locations like on billboards and in stadiums, says Mike Ambery of Standard Life. Sometimes held up as the panacea for all our pensions issues, Australian pensions are familiar in some ways but incredibly different in others to our own, he explains.

I recently received an email from a company I used to work for, saying that there has been a cyber-attack and my payslips and bank details may have been stolen.

Pothole compensation claims have doubled in a year, new research has found. And just 15 per cent of all compensation claims received in 2023 by councils were paid out.

Old digital cameras sell for up to £300 online due to Gen Z appeal: Could YOU cash in?

With baggy jeans and Adidas Campus trainers back in vogue, you could be forgiven for thinking you had been transported back 20 years to a time when kids used Tamagotchis instead of TikTok, and selfies were taken using digital cameras instead of smartphones. Except young people are now using noughties compact digital cameras once again, with the trend having taken off on social media thanks to their 'retro' look and grainy picture quality. Now could be an opportune time to go searching for your old camera, currently gathering dust in the back of a cupboard or a box in the attic. You could find yourself able to net more than £100.

Popular digital bank Chase has launched its first-ever credit card, which will be rolled out to some of its customers from today.

Killing Kittens founder seeks £500k for growth

Emma Sayle, 46, who attended the same Downe House School in Berkshire as Kate Middleton and was spotted with the future Princess of Wales during her brief break-up with Prince William in 2007, founded London-based Killing Kittens 20 years ago. The company that claims to allow women to 'feel in control' and able to 'explore their sexuality' has become an established part of London's nightlife. Now Sayle has plans to expand the business overseas.

Leighton, 71, who made his name at Asda, will replace Stuart Rose as executive chairman. Rose will leave after a transition period.

Our analysis reveals Britain needs to build around 120 a day to reach the goal of having 300,000 public chargers by 2030.

The purchasing managers' index data sent the euro plunging to just above $1.03 versus the US currency, its lowest since November 2022.

We're twins and if one of us dies the other gets a £150k inheritance tax bill

Married couples and civil partners can inherit from each other free of inheritance tax. That means that when a partner dies, the surviving one does not face a tax bill on their shared home and savings. But siblings who live together in old age are not afforded the same protection and are treated like everyone else, meaning their whole estate is potentially liable to IHT. Like long-term cohabitees, if a sibling dies, they face a hefty bill and if they don't have the funds to pay it, they will be forced to sell the home to cover costs.

A squeezed private rental stock is set to be overwhelmed by demand as beleaguered landlords shun the market due to raised mortgage costs.

Recent wintery weather has seen snow blanket large parts of the country. In response, the Government has begun sending out £25 Cold Weather Payments.

Should I fix my mortgage for two or five years right now?

My wife and I are remortgaging at the end of the year and trying to weigh up our options between a two-year and a five-year fixed rate mortgage. What's your view? There isn't a huge difference in monthly repayments between the two, but trying to get a sense of what will happen to interest rates in the future is a challenge.

I last paid into my pension over seven years ago, will it be free of inheritance tax?

I had always understood my Self-Invested Personal Pension (Sipp) contributions were held in trust and that the trustees had the power to decide who payments from it should be made to after my death. As a result, I signed an expression of wishes form to say who I would like the recipient to be, but understood the trustees were not obliged to honour this. Since the whole of my pension contributions were made more than seven years ago does this mean that they are exempt from the recent budget proposal to add the pension pot to my estate for inheritance tax purposes?

RGL insists that another tranche of claimants will be added in the new year with the final group claim likely to be in excess of £200million. Average claims will be for around £20,000, including interest.

Jaguar ditches roaring big cat badge for its EV rebrand - and admits it won't appeal to

Bosses say they expect to retain just 15% of the company's existing customers when it relaunches as an EV-only brand with a new image. By dumping petrol and diesel engines four years ahead of the Government's deadline and adopting a new image to appeal to younger buyers, Jaguar says it expects to retain just 15% of the marque's existing customers.

Cornwall Insight had previously predicted a one per cent fall to £1,697, but said this was now no longer the case after prices rose by 10% in October.

Insurer Aviva has analysed its claims data and found that a broken leg is the most common injury on the slopes, with an average medical cost of £6,165 to treat.

I was the first Isa millionaire... Lord Lee's three-step blueprint to follow in his

Lord John Lee of Trafford became the first Isa millionaire in 2003 and he now has an Isa pot worth multiples of this. He has revealed his winning formula to becoming an Isa millionaire.

Whitbread shares still languish below pre-pandemic levels and have fallen since Rachel Reeves' Budget. They should recover from here. Buy at £28.97 and hold.

My partner and I split - should we keep our joint £300k mortgage? DAVID HOLLINGWORTH

We have a two-year fixed rate mortgage which comes to an end next June. Me and my partner separated but maintaining the mortgage payments. We pay fifty-fifty. We have £300,000 left on our mortgage and about 25 years. He still wants us to keep the mortgage together to get better rates and think us changing anything will only impact our mortgage. What are my options?

As part of government's efforts to encourage drivers to go green, first-year road tax costs for petrol and diesel cars will be doubled from 1 April 2025.

Ray also runs bushcraft courses overseas that teach self-reliance and resourcefulness, skills which Ray believes are essential in the modern world.

It's time to bag an investment trust  bargain - our experts reveal the ones they'd pick

Everybody loves a good discount and that's exactly what is being offered to buyers of investment trusts. These stock market-listed investment companies offer access to a world of tempting portfolios, from handpicked selections of UK shares to clusters of shares in income-generating renewable energy firms. Investment trusts have unique properties which mean they are well placed to provide a steady stream of income - in good times and bad (see box). What is more, they can be held in an Individual Savings Account (Isa) so that all returns are completely tax free. But in recent months, they have fallen out of favour with investors. This has driven down share prices so that currently they are discounted at 15.2 per cent on average. This means that, in theory, investors can snap up investments worth £100 for around £85. But before you start rummaging through the bargain bins, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

Best stocks & shares Isas: Pick the right investment account

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and a variety of charges can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

Fixed mortgage rates are continuing to fall back from their summer peak, with a number of fixed rates deals now less than 5 per cent.

If you are planning on investing, or just want to know more, we tell you the 10 essential things to consider for a successful buy-to-let investment

We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential reading to help you choose a top savings account for your money that can also protect you from tax.

We asked trusted experts to recommend the best funds that cover different investment sectors - and included This is Money's selection of active and passive options too.

Premium Bonds Winners

Prize Area Value of bond
£1,000,000 Warwickshire £25
£1,000,000 Cornwall £15,000
£100,000 Essex £100
£100,000 Cheshire East £13,000
£100,000 Oxfordshire £25,000
£100,000 Inner London £5,000
£100,000 Outer London £50,000
£100,000 Avon £25,000
More November 2024 winners
View list of November 2024 winners
Advertisement
   

MOST READ MONEY

Tourist rates

Currency Rate Buy now
Updated 24 Nov 2024.
Euro 1.1769 Buy Now
US Dollar 1.2238 Buy Now
Australian Dollar 1.882 Buy Now
Barbados Dollar 2.216 Buy Now
Brazilian Real 4.893 Buy Now
Bulgarian Lev 2.181 Buy Now
Canadian Dollar 1.7 Buy Now
Chinese Yuan 8.699 Buy Now
Croatian Kuna 8.293 Buy Now
Czech Koruna 29.59 Buy Now
Danish Krone 8.64 Buy Now
Hong Kong Dollar 9.47 Buy Now
Hungarian Forint 478.6 Buy Now
Icelandic Króna 164.3 Buy Now
Indian Rupee 87.48 Buy Now
Indonesian Rupiah 15659.0 Buy Now
Israeli New Shekel 4.177 Buy Now
Jamaican Dollar 147.8 Buy Now
Japanese Yen 188.6 Buy Now
Jordanian Dinar 0.778 Buy Now
Kenyan Shilling 135.1 Buy Now
Malaysian Ringgit 5.314 Buy Now
Mexican Peso 26.68 Buy Now
New Taiwan Dollar 35.76 Buy Now
New Turkish Lire 41.1 Buy Now
New Zealand Dollar 1.847 Buy Now
Norwegian Krone 13.58 Buy Now
Polish Zloty 5.036 Buy Now
Romanian New Leu 5.434 Buy Now
Russian Rouble 75.14 Buy Now
Singapore Dollar 1.639 Buy Now
South African Rand 22.1 Buy Now
South Korean Won 1549.0 Buy Now
Sterling 1.0 Buy Now
Swedish Krona 13.53 Buy Now
Swiss Franc 1.077 Buy Now
Thai Baht 41.92 Buy Now
UAE Dirham 4.473 Buy Now
Vietnamese Dong 27664.0 Buy Now
Advertisement
Advertisement