“Govt cannot expect people to pay mortgage if ministers struggle”

Feb 1, 2024 | Mortgages

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

And here are the real-life effects of high, or at least much-higher-than-they-were, interest and mortgage rates. An actual government minister is resigning because he can’t afford to pay his mortgage on his pitiful ministerial salary. I guess that, in comparison to what he may have previously been earning and could earn in the big, wide world, it is perhaps pitiful. Further down the food chain, those with fewer choices must, of course be struggling still more. Those renting from landlords who’ve borrowed to buy-to-let are also soon likely to feel the effects; and there are many, many low fixed-rate deals due to come to and end this year. The plan is, of course, that we should all struggle, buy less and bring down inflation; then we’ll all be rockin’ and rollin’ again. If we’re all still here, that is.

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“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.