Tag Archives: British Expats

UK property investment with completion August 2022 – online presentation

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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

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

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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

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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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Are your investment funds in the dog house?

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It is estimated that in the UK alone more than £8 billion is languishing in under-performing investment funds. Add all the money in offshore funds and other jurisdictions and the number is worryingly large.

These poorly performing funds, known as dogs, can be found in all sectors but action can be taken. If your money is stuck in the dog house you can do something about it.

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Higher education costs – the facts & how you can plan

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The days of most expats having their children’s school fees paid for them are gone and even if you have an education allowance as part of your salary package it will stop on finishing secondary school. If they then want to go on to tertiary education, whether that is university, college, or vocational study someone has to pay and the burden is likely to fall on to parents.

Have you thought about how much may be required, or how to fund the additional study that you children may want, or indeed may need, in order to do what they want in life and be successful?

Statistics show that over their working life someone with a bachelor’s degree in the USA will earn, on average, almost twice as much as workers with a high school diploma. Source: US Census Bureau

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UK Budget March 2021 – the facts for expats

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There is no question that this will not have been an easy Budget to put together. There are still uncertainties in respect of Covid19 and the UK economy has problems, for more than one reason. With so many people on a reduced income and many businesses suffering,  tax hikes right now would be even more unwelcome than usual.

At this point in time, the UK is in more debt than it has been at any point in the past 50 years, at some £2.13 trillion which equates to 99% of GDP. Over the past 12 months the UK economy has shrunk by 10%, and some 700,000 people have lost jobs. UK unemployment is expected to peak at 6.5% in the 2021/22 tax year.

What is required now is to stimulate growth in the economy but I don’t think there is any immediate fix. The two main issues are to reduce debt and to support people and businesses who have been hardest hit – somewhat opposing issues.

No one knows quite how many people on furlough will actually have jobs to go back to and latest figures indicate that there are currently 6 million people on furlough in the UK at the moment.

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. The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of this is not directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the main issues, highlighting any of relevance to expats.

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The future of investing is… flexible

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We all know that we need to invest our money to make it grow but the options for expats in the UAE have been a little limited, until recently.  Following changes in legislation, I am now delighted to offer fully flexible investment options, with negligible penalties, and a very wide range of fund options.

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UAE Public Holidays for 2021

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These are the official dates of public holidays for the UAE for the coming year, as well as notable dates, so you can make a note in your diary now and plan ahead. Actual days of holiday for both the public and private sector should be the same and these are the dates announced by the UAE Government.

This article will be updated throughout the year as any changes are announced so you can bookmark it in the knowledge that it will always be correct

As usual, dates of Islamic holidays will be subject to slight variation, dependent on moon sighting, and others may also change.

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Where there’s a will, there’s a way to protect your family

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I have published articles on this topic before but in light of the changes to the personal status laws in the UAE in 2020, this has been updated to cover the new rules. This also includes the minor amendments for 2022 and a change for Muslim expats in 2023.

If you have assets, and more importantly, if you have children, then you need a Will. This is a subject that many people are reluctant to address but there are many misconceptions and an all too common reluctance to talk about the relevant issues. In this article I want to set out a few facts and answer the most common questions.

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