“Government not ruling out no-deal Brexit, insist minister after overheard ‘deal or delay’ remark”

Feb 13, 2019 | Brexit

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

In the opening scenes of one of my favourite films, ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ (kids etc.), Clint Eastwood’s Kelly plies his high-ranking German prisoner with brandy to find out where the gold is hidden. Some crafty journos have done the same with this week’s Brexit secretary, who’s (allegedly) spilled a few beans. So if you’ve placed a bet on one of the likely outcomes – which, let’s face it, is the only way you’re likely to make money from Brexit – the odds may have narrowed for you. BTW, you can get 4/1 from Paddy Power on T May quitting in March. Worth a punt?

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“Record year for annuity sales driven by advisers”

“Record year for annuity sales driven by advisers”

I was asked this week whether annuities are now ‘a good investment’. They’ve been recommended very rarely in recent years, since ‘pension freedoms’ allowed pretty much unlimited drawdown on pension funds and anything left to be passed on to beneficiaries free of Inheritance Tax.