Blog
Insights from the Charles James team
Autumn Statement & Spending Review 2015
George Osborne gave his Autumn Statement and Spending Review. We have highlighted some of the key points from the Chancellor’s speech.
The Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap has changed very little in the last decade, but what is being done to balance this inequality?
Approvals for Mortgages Decrease
Mortgage approvals fell in September last month to the lowest amount in four months.
Auto-Enrolment and Pension Flexibility
Charles James MD, Dean Thorpe, recently spoke about pensions at the Taylor Bracewell seminar in Sheffield. On the agenda were auto-enrolment pensions and recent changes to pension flexibility.
Pension Misconceptions
It’s quite easy to let the details of pensions pass you by, so we take a look at some of the myths about retirement planning.
How To Top-Up Your Pension
From the 12th October, you could be entitled to receive an extra £25 a week in state pension.
The Number of Contested Wills is Increasing
The number of wills that are being contested is increasing after family members dispute the wishes of deceased relatives.
Are Young Workers Saving Enough for Retirement?
Pensions encourage people to think about their finances ahead of retirement, however the current pension system may actually discourage saving.
How to Take Out a Long Term Mortgage
With increasing house prices and a need to cut down on monthly outgoings, more and more home buyers are looking to longer term mortgages as a solution. But just how easy is it to take out a 40 year mortgage?
Paying Tax and Receiving Welfare
Approximately 90% of us pay more in taxes than we receive in welfare payments throughout our lifetime.
Employers and The Living Wage
A large supermarket chain has become the first of its kind to announce it will pay its employees the living wage in the UK, however some businesses may struggle to keep up with new living wage rules.
More Bad News for Savers?
After interest rates remain frozen, savers investing in Isas have been dealt another blow...
How Much Money Do We Really Need?
New YouGov research shows that once you start earning more money and begin climbing the financial ladder, the more you need to be content.
Huge Lump Sums Withdrawn from Pensions
Since the new pension freedoms took effect in April, figures show that savers have been taking out £27m a day.
Exploring Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Properties
Working out Capital Gains Tax can be difficult, especially when the situation is complicated due to inherited properties.
China's Economic Crisis: Are We Overreacting?
The fall in prices in the Chinese stock market has caused an element of chaos around the world, but perhaps doing nothing may be the best course of action for investors…
Chinese Stocks Fall on Black Monday
Earlier this week, effects were felt across the globe as the Chinese stock market fell by the largest amount since 1996.
Millions of People Missold Bank Card Insurance
Around 2 million people will be able to claim compensation for missold bank card insurance.