“UK becomes the fraud capital of the world”

Jun 25, 2024 | Investments

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

Remember that rather silly song?: ‘Everybody’s good at doing something, and I’m good at cooking crumble’. No? Well, we are, it seems, good at something but not something we want to be good at. Online fraud in the UK has increased faster than in other major economies with companies are losing £ms a year, either directly or by having to compensate scammed customers. And the problem is that the crooks are always one step ahead of the cyber security guys. I’d guess many of them are cyber security guys who’ve moved to the dark and more profitable side and that tracing them is pretty much impossible. Having said that, I was talking to someone who’s recently worked in a Regent Street store, where gangs routinely walk in, blatantly clear rails of designer gear and run out giving the finger to the CCTV.  In the words of another song, Somethings Gotta Change.

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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.