State Pension to increase by £460 a year, but most pensioners will still be worse off

With most pensioners paying tax, and more than half next year’s rise simply keeping pace with inflation, most pensioners will still be worse off overall in real terms if they lose the winter fuel payment. Last week’s labour market data shows that average earnings in the three months to July 2024 rose by 4.0% – likely the figure used to …

Inheritance tax receipts hit £2.8 billion in first four months of the year – Industry Reaction

Inheritance Tax receipts for April 2024 to July 2024 are £2.8 billion, which is £0.2 billion higher than the same period last year, HM Revenue and Customs revealed today. Following the release of this data, industry experts have shared their thoughts with IFA Magazine. Laura Hayward, Tax Partner at professional services and wealth management firm Evelyn Partners, says: “Annual rises …

Bank of Family deposit contributions to hit record high of £9.2 billion

Family gifting is now funding 42% of all homes purchased by buyers under 55. Financial gifts from the ‘Bank of Family’ to support home purchases are projected to reach £9.2 billion this year and fund 42% of all homes purchased by buyers under 55, according to new research from Legal & General and the Centre for Economics and Business Research …

Bank of England cuts interest rates to 5%

The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has reduced rates for the first time since 2020. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted 5-4 to reduce Bank Rate to 5% – the first reduction since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Four members preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%. This month marks a full year …

IHT take up again as firms chew over potential Labour reforms

HMRC reveals inheritance tax receipts up £83m to £2.1bn Speculation over how Labour will tackle Inheritance Tax (IHT) continues to abound, with take up again for the latest reported quarter. IHT receipts hit £2.1bn for April 2024 to June 2024, representing an £83m increase on the same period the prior year, as per HMRC official figures. It remains to be …

Government raises £701m from inheritance tax receipts in May

‘Neither of the two main political parties have mentioned it’ A lucrative May means inheritance tax (IHT) receipts have hit £1.4bn in just the first two months of the 2024/25 financial year, HM Revenue and Customs figures show. Latest data today (21 June) confirms the hotly debated tax raised £701m in May, meaning the tax take so far for the …