The bigger the company…

Nov 9, 2017 | Companies

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

Standard Life are (we find) pretty switched on, have intelligent Scottish people at the end of the ‘phone, efficient online stuff, pretty good funds. That’s one end of things. Here’s the other. In just one day, we had eight separate letters from them; three of which were about the same client. If I were the BBC and had to be balanced (or pretend to be, if you’re a Daily Mail reader, while actually being a hotbed of leftie-commies), I could take similar photos of post from most of the big providers. When the letters arrive, we scan and shred them. So why can’t they just send us emails? My guess is, it’s a leftie-commie union conspiracy to keep Royal Mail in business. What do you think? Answers on a postcard…

“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.