The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has presented his Summer Economic Statement, a de facto budget, and this article is an overview of the main points with particular reference to any announcements or changes that are relevant to those living out of the UK.
This is the first budget of this Government and the first by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, less than a month after taking over at the Treasury.
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 of the relevant points for us. I have included specific measure related to COVID-19 as this has a significant impact on the economy and a wide-ranging, knock-on effect.
Breaking news.
It has been announced that the UK Government will shortly be issuing a new consultation document in which it will propose that the rate of Stamp Duty, the tax payable on purchase of a property, will increase further for non-residents who buy in England and Northern Ireland.
Many of us muddle through our financial lives, not focusing on what matters the most, so this article is designed to help you sort out your financial priorities.
You have probably thought that there are some issues you need to address but it is common to be stuck in limbo, not quite sure what to tackle first, or a to have a vague to-do list but are unsure where to start.
I am often asked what are the most important topics to focus on so this is a guide to what you may need to look at if you haven’t reviewed your personal finances before, or haven’t done so for some time. What should you do now and what is most important?
All too frequently I see people who have been sold long-term savings plans without having been given the right advice to address more immediate issues. The most important consideration is to focus on what could go wrong tomorrow and then to take steps to protect you and your family. This doesn’t have to be expensive but this is what proper, ethical, financial planning is all about.
We have known about the introduction of VAT on 1st January 2018 since early 2016 but the official guidance and final rules have not long been issued. There seems to be a fair amount of misunderstanding as to how it will work, and who and what, will be affected so this article, is an overview of some of the facts.
Businesses should be taking professional advice on the topic, so I won’t be going into detail in here, as this article is designed as an overview for individuals only.
This is the first Autumn Budget after it was announced that the main one would be issued towards the end of each year. This time there is little that directly affects expats and much of the focus was on the UK housing market with a surprise announcement about Stamp Duty.
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.
This article has been rewritten and fully updated so please refer to the lastest one, published on 31st July 2024.
Thank you
For a long time now the minimum mortgage available for non-residents looking to buy property in the UK was £100,000 but we can now arrange mortgages from just £30,000.
Buying a property in the UAE can be daunting, especially for the first-time buyer. Expats have only been able to buy here since 2001, and only in specific areas, so many people are unfamiliar with the process as it can be quite different to a home country. As buying a home is the largest purchase most of us will ever make, it is important to get the facts.
I have an excellent in-house mortgage department and we can walk you through the full process from finding a property, getting mortgage approvals, the final offer, to dealing with the Land Department at completion.
This article is a guide to what you need to know when buying property in Dubai. I have already written an article on the buying process in the UK and there will shortly be another about the tax issues to consider in respect of UK property ownership.
No matter what is happening in the rest of the world, interest in the UK housing market remains strong with many people looking to buy a property as part of their portfolio of investments, or as a future home.
For expats, it is harder to obtain a UK mortgage but I work with an excellent mortgage broker with the largest panel of lenders of any broker working with GCC clients
This article is a guide to what you need to know when buying property in the UK and there will shortly be two companion pieces, one about buying in Dubai and another about the tax issues to bear in mind in respect of UK property ownership.