Personal finance
The unit-trust personal equity plan (Pep) has become the most popular way for inexperienced investors to enter the world of equities, with over £2.8 billion of retail unit-trust sales in the first half of this year alone. This growth can be attributed to the flexibility and tax benefits offered
Personal finance
Regular savings with unit trusts make it possible for anyone with a regular income to build up capital, even with small amounts of money. James Hopgood and Paul Nuki explain that investing a large lump sum into the stock market can be risky due to timing issues, whereas feeding money
Personal finance
Living in a big, expensively furnished house can be more trouble than it's worth, especially with burglary on the rise in rural areas. Thieves often target high-value properties, and insurance companies are starting to cater to the needs of those with large houses and valuable contents. However, many
Personal finance
Renewed optimism in the housing market, coupled with predictions of slow but steady house-price inflation, has led to a resurgence of 100% mortgages. The London-based mortgage broker, John Charcol, has seen an increase in demand for these mortgages, with many lenders now willing to offer 100% loans to meet consumer
Personal finance
A Kent law firm says that many solicitors across the country are missing a chance to help homeowners facing mortgage arrears or negative equity by not informing them of their right to sell their homes. The issue is linked to a 1992 test case, Palk v Mortgage Services Funding plc,
Personal finance
A 37-year-old single mother of two is fighting to save her home after being issued repossession proceedings by The Mortgage Corporation for arrears of just £237. The company, owned by Salomon Brothers, had been made aware that the Department of Social Security was paying her mortgage in full, but had
Personal finance
As part of an effort to combat mortgage fraud, a nationwide anti-fraud system will be unveiled next month to detect borrowers who exaggerate their income. The system, led by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, will analyze prospective borrowers' details to identify those who have made applications to different lenders
Personal finance
As Adrian and Louise Sims navigated the challenges of purchasing a new home in Leigh, they sought the expertise of their financial adviser, Stephanie Burton, to create a tailored financial plan. The solution they chose was a Pep mortgage, courtesy of Fidelity Investments, which provided a packaged deal that included
Personal finance
Many employees whose companies pay for specialist treatment for stress may receive a tax bill as a result. This is because of the way the Inland Revenue exercises discretion over the taxation of benefits provided through company-wide Employee Assistance Programmes. While cost-effective, company-wide schemes are often exempt from taxation, individual
Personal finance
The Inland Revenue has been criticized by TOUCHE ROSS, a leading chartered accountant, for its interpretation of the 1993 Finance Act, which affects the taxation of company cars. According to TOUCHE ROSS, the Revenue's stance is leading to thousands of company car drivers being taxed more heavily than
Personal finance
Argyll Group, the owner of Safeway and the country's third-largest supermarket business, is experiencing a resurgence, with its shares rising more than double the sector average since July. Argyll's shares have broken through the 260p level, and some analysts believe they may reach their 1994 high
Personal finance
Millions of homebuyers are facing uncertainty regarding the future value of their endowment life policies, a situation exacerbated by recent warnings from insurance companies. Specifically, Royal Life wrote to 24,000 customers in April this year, informing them that their policies, taken out in 1991 and 1992, might not be
