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The Economy

 

How Companies Avoid Corporation Tax

I watched a great video on the BBC with the beguiling title of “A Beginners Guide to Tax Avoidance”. It is a fascinating simplification and here is our summary. Continue reading “How Companies Avoid Corporation Tax” »

 

A Clampdown on Tax Avoidance in 2013

A Clampdown on Tax Avoidance in 2013It seems that the government are finally starting to react to the public outcry over tax avoidance and evasion. In the past, the government have been wary of upsetting the rich in the UK over fears that they would take their business overseas. Continue reading “A Clampdown on Tax Avoidance in 2013” »

 

Budget 2013 Help to Buy Scheme: Criteria and How it will work

Budget 2013 Help to Buy Scheme: Criteria and How it will workIn this post I won’t be professing the rights or wrongs of the new scheme but most people trying to get on the housing ladder or even moving up a rung will be pleased with the announcement of the Help to Buy and will be rushing to find out whether they meet the criteria and how the scheme will work. Continue reading “Budget 2013 Help to Buy Scheme: Criteria and How it will work” »

 

Summary of the main changes of the Budget 2013 for Small Businesses

budget response 2013Mr Osborne has said, “It could be worse”.  However could it have been better? And that’s surely the question. It would be interesting to hear your opinions. My feeling is that no government has the balls to make the difficult decisions required for the economy as it may lose votes. It’s all short term-ism.   Continue reading “Summary of the main changes of the Budget 2013 for Small Businesses” »

 

Stop…I want to get off!

Stop…I want to get off!How often during your career have you heard such comments as “we have to move with the times” or “we need to look forward?” The challenge as one gets older though, is that you get tired of the changes and having perhaps “seen it all before” – Stop the World, I want to get off! Continue reading “Stop…I want to get off!” »

 

The Taxation of High Value UK Residential Property – A Guide to Proposed Changes

You may have read in the press about the UK Government’s proposals to change the way that high value UK residential property is taxed. So this seems like a good time to offer a short guide to the proposals and explain the current situation Continue reading “The Taxation of High Value UK Residential Property – A Guide to Proposed Changes” »

 

A political hot potato…

A political hot potato....It seems “of the moment” to speak of one’s parents working class background and how hard they worked, but my Mom had three jobs (factory worker, waitress and cleaner) and needed them to earn enough money to feed us and keep us clothed after my Dad left. Continue reading “A political hot potato…” »

 

Is now a good time to buy Barclays shares?

Is now a good time to buy Barclays shares?With many banks taking a beating in the press over the last months, indeed years, Barclays Bank has continued to take an uncomfortable centre stage recently and it continues today, with criticism of Mr Jenkins appointment as the new CEO because he’s an insider Continue reading “Is now a good time to buy Barclays shares?” »

 

Economic Success of the London 2012 Olympics

Economic Success of the London 2012 OlympicsLike most all of the UK, I’m almost lost for words to describe the wonderful results and atmosphere of the London Olympics, but as an accountant and FD, I have to ask if we can translate the British athlete’s success into an economic boost for the UK. That for me now is the big question? Continue reading “Economic Success of the London 2012 Olympics” »

 

UK Economy in Recession Again

UK Economy in Recession AgainThe Office for National Statistics has just announced that the UK economy has returned to recession, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. The 0.2% decline in the first quarter of 2012 follows the 0.3% dip in the final quarter of 2011 Continue reading “UK Economy in Recession Again” »

 

First quarter results encouraging for UK businesses

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have just announced the results of their economic review for the first quarter of 2012 and it looks as though the UK is going to avoid the dreaded double dip recession.  This is encouraging news for small businesses who’ve been the hardest hit in the economic turmoil Continue reading “First quarter results encouraging for UK businesses” »