The France Show by Kelly Roberts

Readers may remember the pension freedoms announced by George Osborne in 2014.  These became effective on April the 6th this year. The fanfare accompanying the announcement and indeed subsequently is often set against the backdrop of pensioners sat in Daimlers or on Yachts having drawn all their money out and lavished it on some frivolous purchase.

The reforms promised that over 55’s would have access to their pension cash as they pleased whether it was the full amount or in small payments. Or indeed it could be left invested. The choices on offer appeared staggering, always bearing in mind that there are tax implications for taking large sums.

The new Spanish budget came into force on 6 July. It was a long time in the making. At the end of May Spanish parliament finally approved the government’s 2018 budget following support from the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), bringing to an end fears that the long-delayed budget would ever receive the required level of support, particularly in light of the delicate situation in Catalonia.

“Far from constituting a blank cheque to the PP [People’s Party) government, this decision allows the PNV to maintain its capacity of political influence in order to contribute to a dialogue and a solution in Catalonia,” the PNV said.