How long has Brown been in office? Last Tuesday, Gordon Brown completed 2,601 days as Chancellor of the Exchequer, making him the longest continuous occupier of the office for 180 years. Since 1997, Brown has …
Brown: prudent manager or tax meddler?
Category: Personal Finance
Why won’t the Tories promise tax cuts?
At this week’s Tory Party Conference, leader Michael Howard and Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin have been reluctant to promise tax cuts. Why? asks Simon Nixon. Are the Tories committed to cutting taxes? No. Oliver Letwin, …
Who will pay for Sir Humphrey’s pension?
The pensions crisis means that many private sector workers are going to face a miserable old age. But public sector workers have no such worries… not yet, anyway. Simon Wilson reports Who gets the best …
The great British pensions debacle
The Government has created a hidden pensions trap that will catch millions of us. Here’s how to avoid it and retire rich. We two things about pensions: they’re complicated, but it’s in everyone’s interest to …
Labour’s in. Prepare for tax rises
The new cabinet is settling in. But what does this Labour win mean for your wallet? MoneyWeek takes a look Gordon Brown is considered by many to be a very lucky man. When he took …
The end of fiscal sovereignty in the UK?
A preliminary EU judgment has ruled that Marks & Spencer should be allowed to offset European losses against its UK tax bill. This has radical implications, says Simon Wilson. Why did M&S go to court? …
How has Brown managed UK plc?
Gordon Brown has stuck to his ‘golden rule’… but only by using statistical jiggery-pokery. Has this damaged his reputation? Or more importantly, the country? Simon Nixon reports. Is the UK economy in trouble? Not yet. …
Four tips for keeping the Christmas bills down
Christmas is fast approaching, and with it big bills. It’s expected that every adult in the country will spend at least £800 over Christmas, £320 of that on presents. While the popularity of debit cards …
Tax loophole closure of the week: “Lifestyle farmers” face a tax clampdown
Buying a farm to escape inheritance tax (IHT) has long been a popular ruse, says the FT. Unfortunately, a recent court win forHM Revenue and Customs renders this option a little less enticing. Land Tribunal …
Tax dodge of the week: A way around the new pension property rules
As of 6 April next year, the borrowing rules for property held within a pension become less generous, says David Budworth in The Sunday Times. At the moment, a Sipp can borrow up to 75% …