“King’s Speech: Inflation control key as pensions and IHT take back seat”

Nov 8, 2023 | Economy, Inflation

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

The Big Issues for the financial world which might have featured in The Speech weren’t there. Have rumours of the disappearance or death or Inheritance Tax been premature? Is anything else big likely to happen to pensions? The former is seen as a potential vote-winner, so my guess is, were abolition to be coming, it would have been in there with the headline-grabbers. As previously discussed, however, it would come with the same sort of trade-off as the Braverman’s longer prison sentences for some (many shorter, or none at all for  others), with a gift tax replacing it. And as for pensions, a guaranteed eye-glazer, rather than vote-winner. Of course, it may all be saved for J Hunt’s Autumn Statement in a week or two. That will certainly, I’d say, be the case for the inevitable further pension-tinkering. 

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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.