Contact

News & Insights

UK inflation rate falls – Good news?

How can that be?  Well this is the time of year that the figure is used to set the annual increases for some pensioners and disability benefits, as well as public service pensions and the state second pension.

Inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index fell to -0.1% in September, this was due to a smaller than usual rise in clothing prices, and falling motor fuel prices. The CPI rate has been at or close to zero for most of this year. It was last in negative territory in April. 

Most benefits will be frozen from April because of the latest data.

The law does not allow for a down rating of benefits, so the practical effect is that benefits are likely to be frozen from April. The exact change, or lack of it, will be approved by the government in the coming weeks. 

What this means for you is that pensioners here and in the UK could soon be facing a squeeze on living standards

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Brexit Minister Provides Assurances of “Cooler Heads”

Pension fileThe government has provided further reassurance on the future of expat pensions and other financial products and services post-Brexit, with Brexit secretary Dominic Raab dismissing a Department for Exiting the EU technical paper which had appeared to cast their futures into doubt.

During a press conference, Raab had no hesitation in saying that access to expat pensions was little more than “a practical issue that we will be able to resolve”.

Raab’s statements were measured and entirely unflustered by some of the more recent sensationalist pronouncements on the subject. For example, he carefully explained that although a no-deal Brexit would have an inevitable impact on Britain’s contractual arrangements with EU member states, it was extremely unlikely that individual country to country relationships would suffer.

Read More

UK probate fees – a tax on bereavement?

Linking probate fees to the size of a person’s estate is effectively a tax on bereavement. Families with large estates in the UK will now have to start considering ways to reduce the size of their estate before they die. 

Read More

Select your country

Please select your country of residence so we can provide you with the most relevant information:

You are currently viewing the Blacktower Financial Management EU website.

You may be looking for the Blacktower United States website.

Blacktower United States > X Stay on this site

Or choose your country.