12 Jun, 2007
In response to the recent rise in interest rates, the UK rate of inflation for May fell from 2.8% to 2.5%, the lowest rate for some 7 months. The performance of the retail price index (the main statistic used when considering wages increases) was a little less impressive, falling from 4.5% to 4.3% in May. There is much scepticism about the RPI and inflation figures, as the authorities have a tendency to add or remove certain items in order to give the best figures.
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6 Jun, 2007
In what was not a widely unexpected defeat for the government, the Lords have introduced an amendment to the recent Pension Bill demanding an increase in compensation payouts to those who have suffered from the collapse of their company pension schemes. The amendment brings the Financial Assistance Scheme into line with more recent regulations promising to cover 90% of “core†pension entitlements against only 80% for earlier victims.
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5 Jun, 2007
There is a case before the House of Lords which has the potential to blow open the husband and wife business partnership arrangements which have been ongoing for many years. HM R&C have taken their claims to the highest court in the land, the House of Lords, to seek a favourable ruling in their fight to change the “interpretation†of existing laws.
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3 Jun, 2007
The bank charges reclaim saga seems to go from one extreme to the other with recent court rulings going in favour of the banks, and then another court judge penalising the bank for not turning up at court. What really is going on and who has the upper hand at the moment?
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2 Jun, 2007
Saturday saw millions of Royal Bank of Scotland customers unable to withdraw money from cash points due to a technical difficulty with the banks withdrawal system. While these things can happen, the most worrying element to this particular episode was the fact the Royal Bank were unable to pin point the problem - leaving many wondering if their personal detail were safe.
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1 Jun, 2007
As the property market continues to prosper it seems as though a number of elements will soon be coming together to derail this run away train. While interest rate rises are starting to have an impact, and a rising rate of inflation has increased living expenses, there may just be a sting in the tail to tip many home owners over the edge!
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