Today saw the publication of a consultation paper on enhancing the professionalism of investment advisers under the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). The RDR is a regulatory initiative launched several years ago, designed to rectify failings in the retail financial services sector.
An independent survey from the Financial Services Research Forum at Nottingham University Business School has found that independent financial advisers (IFAs) are rated by consumers as the “most fair” of the financial services professions.
The inflation figures published today for the twelve months to November 2009 could signal the start of a short-term spike in price inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of price inflation was slightly higher than expected, with an annual rate of of 1.9%.
This year it is expected that UK charities will miss out on £1.2 billion in donations because of tax-inefficient giving by donors.
We have published a free 17 page special report with details and commentary about the main Pre-Budget Report changes to income tax, National Insurance, pensions, banker’s bonuses and inheritance tax, as well as implications for businesses.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) are both conventional measures of price inflation. Alternative measures of inflation are also useful. New research from Halifax shows average pocket money is up 11p or 1.79% this year.
The FTSE 100 index of leading UK company shares finished the week at 5,261.57, up 17.20 points or 0.33% on the day and down 60.79 points (-1.14%) over the week.
As the festive season draws ever closer, the team at Informed Choice would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In keeping with previous years, we have once again decided to make a donation to charity instead of sending Christmas cards.
Informed Choice Chief Executive Nick Bamford recently took part in a webcast, answering questions about the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).
As we start to pour over the detail in the Pre-Budget Report, our initial reaction is that pensions appear to have escaped quite lightly. There were several pension announcements within the Chancellor’s speech and the report.
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