“How sprawling suburbs are stunting productivity in UK cities”

Jul 4, 2024 | Economy, Tax

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

Growth, growth, growth (of the economic variety), is it happening, if not, why not, will doubtless be a continuing theme and/or battleground in the months and years ahead. Here’s a timely reminder from our friends at 7IM, of one of the reasons it’s been lacking. A study compared two cities of similar sizes, Leeds and Marseilles, to try to find out why the French city has consistently been 25% more productive than our own Yorkshire powerhouse. Their conclusion, it’s much easier to get to work in Marseilles. 87% or the population there can get to the city centre in under 30 minutes, in Leeds it’s only 38%. And apparently that’s the same for most, in the UK on average 40%, in Europe 67% can get to work easily. So it’s infrastructure, dear boy; and building rather than cutting.

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.