UK Mini Budget September 2022 – a summary for expats

When a new Prime Minister takes office, it is usual for them to want to put their own stamp on things and Liz Truss and her team are doing just that. Kwasi Kwarteng, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, has made a few announcements today, a mini-budget if you will, or an oddly named ‘fiscal event’ according to the government.

As has been the case in recent years, many measures have already been announced or deliberately leaked so this was largely about clarification.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

EDIT. As this mini-budget went down so poorly, and did such dmanage to UK financial markets, Kwazi Kwateng was replaced by Jeremy Hunt and many of the announcements have since been rescinded so I have commented under each section to clarify.  Added comments are in italics.

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Sitting tight – the importance of remaining invested

There is no question that we are in interesting times for investment markets and we have all seen falls in the value of our portfolios This article is designed to explain why you really should not worry and why you need to remain invested.

The key thing to remember is that to make money over the long-term it is not about timing the market, but about time in the market.

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Need to know: The UK’s Foreign Spouse Exemption, the tax issue you don’t hear about

I last covered this topic many years ago, so it is time for an update. If you are a Brit with a foreign husband or wife, or you are not British but are married to a Brit, this article is for you.

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UK property investment with completion August 2022 – online presentation

Join us on Wednesday 27th April at 1pm UAE time, for a presentation about a property investment opportunity that will complete soon. Tenant enquiries are already being taken so this is a good option for anyone who wants to complete a purchase in the next few months.

If you miss the date, let me know as the presentaton is being recorded.

I have written about options for UK property investment a few times and in most cases these are off-plan developments with completion some time ahead. I know a few clients would prefer quick completion so I would like to share details of an opportunity that fits that requirement

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UK Spring Statement, March 2022 – a summary for expats

The Spring Statement is essentially a mini-Budget, allowing the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make announcements, some minor changes, and to provides updates on the economy.  It does not usually include major tax or spending changes.

This is not an easy time for the UK with an economic backdrop of rising energy, fuel and food costs.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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Stock markets and investments – what not to do in volatile times

On 24th February, we woke to the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. The situation had been deteriorating for a while but now we have the terrible reality of military conflict.

The article is about financial matters, not politics, but they are closely aligned and I want to tell you why you shouldn’t panic about falls and fluctuations in stock markets – and what you must not do.

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10 Financial Resolutions for 2022 you can actually keep

Many of us make New Year resolutions, but how many of those are about our finances? And how many of them do we really keep?

financial resolutions2020 and 2021 have been tough years for large numbers of people and we can’t be sure of what else is in store, but knowing you have taken all the right financial steps will put you in a good position to weather any future storm.

Invariably, we could all do a little better and some focus rarely goes amiss. With that in mind here’s a list of 10 steps you can take to get yourself financially fitter in 2022.

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UK Budget & Spending Review October 2021 – a summary for expats

As has been the case for the past couple of years, many of the Budget measure have been leaked or drip-fed to the press so we were not expecting much in the way of surprises and there is nothing that dramatic.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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How to invest in UK property without stress

In an uncertain world, it is understandable that we have seen an increase in interest in investing in property. It is human nature to want to put your money into something that you can see and touch.

Property markets are not equal and the legalities and potential for growth and/or income vary hugely but Europe still presents many opportunities for long-term investment and yield.

Surveys have shown that many expats are keen to invest in property in their home country either as they consider it a more secure place than where they are currently living, or as a potential base should they need to move back.

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