“Covid measures will be seen as ‘monument of collective hysteria and folly’ says ex-judge”

Dec 7, 2020 | In the news

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

I googled this chap as I heard him on the radio the other day. Has he not seen what’s happened and is happening in Brazil and the US? We’re already high up the Covid death hit parade and would undoubtedly be higher without the government’s ‘cavalier disregard for the limits of their powers’. Norway, NZ and Australia, to pick 3 at random from the charts, are hardly dictatorships but have fared pretty well though it all, with, quite probably, an equally cavalier disregard. I despair.

Read more here

“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

So it looks as though Cash ISAs are safe for the moment (FTM – is that a thing?) Rachel has apparently ‘bowed to pressure’ from the banks and building societies and decided not to reduce the allowance to £4,000 for cash and to keep the £20,000 parity with Stocks and Shares ISAs. Bowed also to common sense, I’d say.

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

A dichotomy/dilemma here. Two thirds of adults are probably right to be worried about the cost of care, which is huge and getting more so. Many of those currently worrying will have had first-hand experience with their own parents, which will have focused their minds on their own possible future.

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

Many a government has made the point that only a minority will be affected by this or that tax change or tinker. It is, however, both perception and aspiration which are important, and they are what makes IHT the ‘most hated’ of all taxes – along with all the others, of course.