ATFM

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