UK Budget November 2025 – a summary for GCC expats

Here we go again! This is a widely-anticipated Budget following weeks of media speculation.

I think we are all a bit fed up of the “leaks” and media briefings that are the hallmark of all Budgets in the past few years. It is also very unprofessional that The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) unexpectedly published its growth forecast ahead of the Chancellor’s statement. This contains market sensitive information so let’s hope there is an enquiry and action

The UK media frenzy and contact conjecture really helps no one.  A little more decorum all round might be nice.

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give you a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have major relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats, to people who are no longer tax resident in the UK, so my summaries focus on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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A compelling investment opportunity for experienced investors

I am have an interesting investment opportunity that I am offering to select clients. This is not for everyone but if you want something a bit different, it could be for you…

Please contact me for details and  I will send you a fact sheet with a good oveview.

Get in touch! Click on this link to send me an email: keren@holbornassets.com or use this contact form.

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Edited November 2025

Expert, qualified, professional advice on a range of issues including general financial planning, life and critical illness cover, investments and UK pensions, wills and inheritance tax planning, UK tax, offshore banking, citizenship programmes, currency transfers and more.

I write articles such as this one as part of the holistic personal financial planning service and that I provide to expats. Plus the general consumer, financial and legal information that I provide in The National newspaper, other media, and on the Facebook group British Expats Dubai.

Serious topics with relaxed and friendly conversations.

 

Invest in UK property with a deposit of only £7,500

Yes, really.  You don’t need large sums to start investing in UK property. You really can start with a deposit of only 5%.

Buying an investment property in the UK, a low-risk and steady market is much more affordable than you might think.

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UK tax returns – a low-cost service

Do you need to submit a self assessment tax return to HMRC? Want a bit of help but don’t want to pay a lot of money?

I have the answer for you!

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A real life sad story. What if it happens to you?

I am currently helping out someone in a tragic situation. Gemma (not her real name) is having to deal with a legal and financial nightmare.

Her husband died in an accident a couple of months ago, leaving her with two young children.

Apparently, they had said in passing that they needed to get their family finances sorted, to get wills and some life insurance, but they never got around to it.

Now she has to deal with the mess left behind and needs to support herself and two children on one income.

It is going to be hard.

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Invest in Blackpool – the Vegas of the North of England!

What if I told you that you can invest in property right next door to Blackpool Tower? The apartments are priced at an amazing price, from £129,995, rental yields are high, and short-term lets are permitted. Interested?

UPDATE 25/07/25 – SOLD OUT  Every unit has now been reserved but do ask about other opportunties. 

This is an opportunity to invest in property in Blackpool at a great price. According to the experts, the north west of England is one of the best areas to invest in UK property. This attractive and historic building will be totally renovated to the highest standards and you have a chance to get in now.

The fact is that Blackpool is a popular holiday destination for people across the UK. The wide golden sands and fun vibe draws people in and it has visitors year-round. Its popularity has never really waned.

EDIT 23/04/25  – this info was shared pre-launch and you can actually start with a deposit of just 5%!
I have limited advance units starting at £134,995 which means your 5% deposit is only £6,750. And you then pay £1,350 each month which is AED 6,580.

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UK Spring Statement March 2025 – a summary for GCC residents

This was not a Budget according to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, but rather a forecast statement so we were not expecting much in the way of announcements.

It was information about the financial balance sheet of the UK.

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give you a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have particular relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The British press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to those of us who do not live in the UK so this article focuses on the issues that will be of most interest to us.

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What if it does happen to you?

Imagine receiving news that can totally change your life in an instant.

No one knows what is around the corner. No one knows what will go wrong in their life, when illness will hit, when a breadwinner will die.

You can’t know what will go wrong but you can plan for it. You can be prepared for when life takes a wrong turn.

In the past three months alone, I have some across two cases where a parent has become very, very seriously ill. Both in their 40s. Too ill to work, probably not for many years, if they even survive. They have young children.

Now both families are in trouble as they have expenses and no, or significantly reduced, income. The last thing they need is money problems on top of everything else.

You do not want to be in this situation. And you don’t need to be if you take steps now.

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UK property – limited offer. Invest with a deposit of just 10%!

Investing in UK property can be simpler than you might imagine, and need less cash than you might think. I have a new, limited, option, at low prices.

It is clear that UK property remains one of the strongest asset classes for building serious wealth and enhancing your long-term savings and retirement plans.

Factors including the weak Pound, a robust legal system, demand far exceeding supply, and rising property and rental prices, along with ongoing infrastructure improvements in major cities and commuter towns demonstrate this.

Add in the growing population and you can see that this situation will not change, even with government support, as builders cannot keep up.

This shows that investing in UK property is a secure long-term investment – provided you get it right. That’s where I come in.

Not only can I advise on the best places to buy as an investment, I have the solutions and even a way of buying with a small deposit. While you usually need at least 25% of the purchase price, you can get started with much less.

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Beware banking fraud. How to beat the scammers.

The sad reality is that there are large number of scammers who are working hard to hack your accounts, obtain your information, and take your money. Far too many are successful but you can take some smart, and logical, steps to reduce your risk of falling prey to a scammer.

Fraudsters are organised and clever and will often choose their targets using information that you have posted or shared online. Some can even see spending habits so will target based on that. They can go to extraordinary lengths to try and convince you they are genuine so we all need to stay one step ahead.

These days, our lives are online and, in our smartphones, so we need to take steps to protect ourselves.

We need to take steps so we don’t become a victim.

In this article I want to give you some useful tips to keep your banking secure and on to avoid the most common financial scams.

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