ATFM

United Kingdom Inflation Rate 1989-2015  Consumer prices in the United Kingdom rose by 3 percent in the year to September 2017, as widely expected, following a 2.9 percent gain in the previous month. It was the highest inflation rate since April 2012, mainly due to rising prices of food, transport and leisure activities. The annual core inflation rate, which excludes prices of energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, stood at 2.7 percent, unchanged from the previous month's five-year high and in line with market consensus. Inflation Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 2.58 percent from 1989 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 8.50 percent in April of 1991 and a record low of -0.10 percent in April of 2015. Consumer prices index (CPI) is the government's preferred measure of inflation. It is used for international comparison and the government inflation target for the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. It is available as an index from January 1997, with estimates back...

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) comes into force next year, with one of its key objectives being market transparency. This will see a new section added to the FCA Handbook which refers to the requirement to make transaction reports to the FCA with regards to certain financial instruments. These reports have to be completed for all clients and, where the client is not a natural person (i.e. an individual), it will need confirmation of their Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). An LEI is a unique identifier for a client which is a legal entity or structure. Which clients need a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)? Most commonly clients of an advice firm, these will include: Companies (public and private) Charities  Trusts (but not bare trusts)  A natural person (including sole traders and partnerships) does not require a LEI as their national insurance number will identify their involvement in the purchase of a financial instrument. What types of fin...

As many of you will be aware in the UK, due to the current financial climate inflation has been steadily increasing over the last 12-24 months putting pressure on the Bank of England to increase interest rates. It is still unclear as to whether this will be the case (although it is looking increasingly likely). However, what we do know is, due to current inflation levels and the generous triple-lock State Pension guarantee, those in receipt of their State Pension will see a 3% increase from April 2018.

As a firm we are constantly trying to move forward with our standards and professional development. We have aspirations of obtaining Corporate Chartered Adviser’s status early next year and are also working to achieve accreditation from the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA). Another professional accolade we have been working on is becoming Affiliate members of The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners "STEP" and we are pleased to announce both Michael and Ben are now Affiliate members of STEP. "STEP is the global professional association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning. We work to improve public understanding of the issues families face in this area and promote education and high professional standards among our members."

Allen Tomas & Co are looking for an Independent Financial Adviser to join the team. Key points: Self-Employed/Employed structure and financial package to be discussed Regular 1:1s and ad hoc training to suit Competent Adviser CPD programme, which includes internal and external seminars Compliance support through SimplyBiz (compliance helpline, technical support, portal and CPD events) Support in achieving/maintaining full Competent Adviser Status Professional Indemnity costs met by us We will provide full marketing assistance Introducer/Professional Connections: Introductions to professionals we work with Full support offered with your existing/new connections Online Professional Portal (We will upload documents such as Recommendation Reports, Tax statements and Trustees Investment Policy Statements to their Portals) Monthly newsletters Seminars Client Services: Your clients will have access to an internal online Portal in order to view their Investments ...

Allen Tomas & Co were pleased to take part in the Older Persons Information Day held at the Corn Exchange in Kings Lynn on the 27th September 2017 and meet so many valuable professionals in this massively important area. We agree with the intent of Home Instead being to continue to work collaboratively with other professionals in order to enrich the lives of the older community and their family members in West Norfolk. Laura Atkinson, Head of Caregiver Experience within Home Instead Senior Care, was pleased with their inaugural event, which not only brought professionals together but raised money for Macmillan, created awareness of serious conditions and highlighted the positive work of local organisations, businesses and individuals. Home Instead plan to run a similar event next year and reach out to more people to make it an even bigger event. Allen Tomas & Co provide Long Term Care Planning and Investment advice to clients and their family members, attorneys and deputie...

I have recently returned from one of my favourite events of the year, the Goodwood Revival, which combines my passion for motor racing and wearing outfits from the 1940's - 50's. The Goodwood Revival is a three-day festival that has been held each September since 1998 at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit in West Sussex for the types of road racing cars and motorcycles that would have competed during the circuit's heyday of 1948-1966.  It claims to be the worlds most celebrated historic motor event, which I don't doubt, with people attending from all over the world, many of whom dress in clothes from the era. I have attended every year since 1999 and have seen the event grow beyond recognition.  Many former motor racing drivers regularly take part, which in the past have included Damon Hill, Martin Brundle & Sir Stirling Moss as well as celebrities such as Rowan Atkinson and Chris Rea, and more recently Sir Chris Hoy the multi world and Olympic champion cyclist. ...

Join us, and many others at the Alive Corn Exchange in King's Lynn on Wednesday 27th September for a day of entertainment and advice from organisations dedicated to supporting the older community to continue living independently. Seminars & Talks Helpful Services Local Information Support & Advice It's free and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Doors open 10am - 2pm For further information please contact Home Instead on 01553 764664.

We are pleased to announce that Michael Crisp was appointed as a Director of Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management Ltd on the 12th September 2017. As well as Director, Michael who joined the Company in January 2016, is an Independent Financial Adviser and recognised Pension Transfer Specialist. His professionalism, technical ability, attention to detail and drive were a few of the reasons for the appointment. Everyone in the firm sincerely wish him well and strongly believe he will help guide the Company smoothly and efficiently in the years to come and continue the successful growth of Allen Tomas & Co.

A platform is an online service that allows us as financial advisers to manage your portfolio through investment, administration and analysis. Assets which can be 'stored' on a platform include shares, bonds, cash, investment trusts, unit trusts and pensions as well as tax-wrapped investments such as ISAs, Child Trust Funds and self-invested personal pensions. A platform is not an investment in itself, but a facility where an individual can store all their investments/savings. In our experience, we find most investors have difficulties in getting an overall view of all of their plans and investments. A platform assists us and the client in overcoming this problem of visualisation. Therefore the benefit for investors of consolidating all their investments/savings on one platform can be that there is one point of reference and a simplified reporting process. Please note, we can recommend Term Deposits from an Investment Platform (the current offering from our Centralised Inve...

Allen Tomas & Co are delighted to announce that Chloe Drew has passed her first CII examination RO1, which covers financial services, regulation and ethics. Our professional body has awarded Chloe 20 credits for this exam which reflects the hard work she has put in. We wish her well on this new journey of learning. Congratulations to Chloe Drew

We are pleased to announce David Irving has joined forces with Allen Tomas & Co and will bring with him a vast amount of experience and technical ability. David entered the industry in 1987 whilst still a student and has since worked for a number of financial services firms in both the West Midlands and in Norfolk as an administrator and as an adviser. He has Pension Transfer Specialist qualifications and has a high degree of technical knowledge, particularly in the field of pensions, specialising in complex pension cases. He prides himself on being able to design the right solution for a client quickly and efficiently. He is well qualified in all areas of financial services and holds the Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management from the CII. He is working to achieve Chartered status shortly. Away from work, he enjoys scuba diving and has dived many of the world's best dive sites, personal favourites being the wrecks of the German First World War fleet in Scapa ...

In this week's blog by Melinda Smith, Managing Partner and Family Lawyer at Fraser Dawbarns Solicitors , we are highlighting the confusing world of pre-nups and post-nups. The main points are: They are not formally recognised in English matrimonial law but are increasingly common and taken very seriously by the courts when correctly drawn up and guidelines adhered to They can seek to ringfence assets brought into marriage by either party A way of protecting inheritances/family businesses, providing safeguards for children from previous relationships Provides certainty to couples in an effort to minimise cost and stress in the difficult time of a relationship breakdown Can be done after marriage as a post nuptial agreement if financial circumstances change and the parties want to protect windfalls or inheritances. So, you’ve organised your big day, the guest list is finalised and your honeymoon has been booked. Everything is set for you both to start your journey into m...

The main residence nil-rate band is now in force, please see below and contact us if you wish us to review the impact this nil-rate band will have on your estate. Who is likely to be affected Individuals with direct descendants who have an estate (including a main residence) with total assets above the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold (or nil-rate band) of £325,000 and personal representatives of deceased persons. General description of the measure This measure introduces an additional nil-rate band when a residence is passed on death to a direct descendant. This will be: £100,000 in 2017 to 2018 £125,000 in 2018 to 2019 £150,000 in 2019 to 2020 £175,000 in 2020 to 2021 It will then increase in line with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) from 2021 to 2022 onwards. Any unused nil-rate band will be able to be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. The additional nil-rate band will also be available when a person downsizes or ceases to own a home on or after 8 Ju...

United Kingdom Inflation Rate 1989-2015 Consumer prices in the United Kingdom increased 2.3 percent year-on- year in February of 2017, above 1.8 percent in January and beating expectations of 2.1 percent. It is the highest inflation rate since September of 2013, boosted by rising fuel prices while food cost increased for the first time in 34 months. Inflation Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 2.58 percent from 1989 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 8.50 percent in April of 1991 and a record low of -0.10 percent in April of 2015. Consumer prices index (CPI) is the government's preferred measure of inflation. It is used for international comparison and the government inflation target for the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. It is available as an index from January 1997, with estimates back to 1988. It excludes mortgage interest payments and council tax. As of the 2010 budget, CPI as part of the triple-lock, is used to index state pensions in place of Retail Pri...

Cash These ISAs are the simplest form, but unfortunately at present paying poor returns and in most cases not keeping pace with inflation. Enjoys Financial Services Compensation Scheme Protection up to £85,000 per provider. The ISA limit for 2017-18 is £20,000. Stocks and shares All or some of the annual ISA allowance can be invested in stocks and shares. This can be done directly in shares of companies or in bonds, or through funds or investment trusts, which are funds that are traded on the stock market. Investors can also use 'passive' investments, which are low cost and track different markets, such as the FTSE 100. The ISA limit for 2017-18 is £20,000. Junior Junior ISAs are for those under the age of 18. Up to £4,128 can be saved into these ISAs in the 2017-18 tax year. At age 18 this money is then converted into an adult ISA, and the child takes control (and can do what they want with the money). The money cannot be withdrawn until age 18, unless the child is te...

I am pleased to announce that Chloe Drew has joined Allen Tomas & Co as a Financial Administrator with the intention of becoming a Paraplanner on attaining her CII qualifications. Chloe has shown an interest in the industry and wants a career that allows progression and the opportunity to learn new skills. During her spare time Chloe enjoys reading, socialising and spending days out with her family. She is a lover of all animals, in particular pandas! We wish Chloe every success.

At a glance: The economic forecast Growth in the UK economy picked up through 2016. Employment has reached a record high of 31.8 million people. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) now forecasts that the UK economy will grow by 2% in 2017. The OBR also forecast that the economy will grow at a slightly slower rate in 2018, before picking up to 2% in 2021. Cutting borrowing and stabilising the public finances Britain has a debt of nearly £1.7 trillion - around £62,000 for every household in the country. In 2009-10 the UK borrowed £1 in every £5 that was spent. This year it is set to be £1 in every £15. Borrowing is forecast to be reduced by nearly three quarters by 2016-17. Tax-free dividend allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018 This will reduce the tax difference between the self-employed and those working through a company. Typically, general investors will need over £50,000 worth of stocks and shares outside an ISA to be affected. The Lifeti...

A legend of the game, Joost van der Westhuizen, lost his life this month to Motor Neurone Disease aged 45, having been diagnosed with the disease in 2011. This unfortunately is the harsh reality of the world we live in and this is why it is SO important to protect your life on death and in the event of a serious illness. What would be the impact of these events on your family or in your business? As Independent Financial Advisers, Allen Tomas & Co can help you implement the right solution from the whole of market in order to protect those affected most and to give you peace of mind. Please call us now to arrange an appointment.

Allen Tomas & Co would like to say a huge welcome to Kevin Banks-Dunnell for joining us as an Independent Financial Adviser. On leaving school, Kevin spent 4 years training and working as a chef. He joined the financial services industry in 1991 and has now completed 26 years as a financial adviser. He has worked for large financial institutions and as a result has built a strong client following through holistic financial advice. His experience has helped him specialise in Inheritance Tax & Investments. Kevin believes that this knowledge plus his personal and professional service have been key in building and maintaining long lasting and successful relationships. Kevin is a keen golfer and has been a member of Royal Cromer Golf Club for over 20 years, he also plays lead guitar in a local band.

From the 1st May 2017, National Savings will be reducing the rates of interest across all of their cash savings products, including Premium Bonds and Direct ISAs. The reduction will affect existing accounts as well as new. This follows reductions in interest rates across the savings market after the Bank of England's reduction of the base rate by 25 basis points, to 0.25pc in August 2016. Ben Allen, Managing Director of Allen Tomas & Co said "Once again this is another blow for savers and the search for decent returns on deposits becomes harder. NS&I will remain popular due to the fact that they are backed by HM Treasury, however I expect more people to look to the stock markets for a portion of their cash in order to improve their long term returns". Please contact us should you wish to review your existing Savings and Investments.

Up until April 2017 you can top up your state pension. This initiative allows people who reach the state pension age before April 2016 to top up their pension. This includes those who are already drawing the state pension. The government is allowing retirees to buy extra state pension by paying so-called Class 3A voluntary National Insurance contributions between October 2015 and April 2017. This will help people reaching state pension age before 6 April 2016 who will not receive the new single-tier state pension. Some retirees will be better off under the new system (eg some women and self-employed workers) and the top-up will allow pensioners retiring before that date, and who may feel that they are missing out, a chance to build up a higher future state pension income. You can choose to top up your State Pension by between £1 and £25 per week. How much you'll need to contribute depends on: how much extra pension you want to get each week how old you are when you make t...