Business

A finance expert has revealed how high earners can make a pension contribution of £220,000 this year via an HMRC provision - but time is running out to take advantage of it. Doing so is desirable for earners in the top tax brackets, as the entire £220,000 is subject to tax relief.This is achieved through a mechanism known as carryover rules, which taxpayers can take advantage of provided they haven't used their annual allowance (AA) for pension contributions in the past three tax years. It means those eligible for it can significantly reduce the amount of income tax they pay this year, whilst boosting their pension pot. But it only applies to people in particular circumstances financially.Emma Sterland, chief financial planning officer at UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners, explained: "T...

Melanie Osborne says she makes about £1,000 extra a month from her side-hustle (Image: Melanie Osborne)A woman who turned her passion for gardening into a £1,000 a month income boost says pursuing her side-hustle dream has helped restore her confidence. Mum-of-two, Melanie Osborne, 51, from Oval, south London, has been in finance for 20 years, but working part time from home since Covid meant she didn't get to meet people as much as she would have liked.On top of her job and raising her son, Malik, and daughter, Tahliya, Melanie was also caring for her own mum, Marilyn. But after the Londoner's mother died in 2023 and as her children grew older, she found herself with more time on her hands. She then started gardening more at home, transforming bare concrete into an oasis of colour. Aft...

La philatélie tient toujours son rang, avec un rapport poids-valeur inégalé, à l’exception, peut-être, de certaines cartes Pokémon ! On commence par quelques résultats, qui n’ont rien d’emballants. De la vente sur offres organisée par la maison parisienne Roumet, clôturée le 3 février, on retiendra les 12 105 euros décrochés par un 1 franc vermillon nuance très vive, avec une oblitération grille, au prix de départ de 10 000 euros. Pour le XXe siècle, le « paquebot Normandie » bleu-vert, non émis, bord de feuille, est adjugé à son prix de départ de 12 000 euros. « Paquebot “Normandie” » bleu-vert, non émis, adjugé à 12 000 euros. ROUMET Les non-émis font décidément de bons prix, le 20 centimes outremer « Po...

Petrol, diesel and electric car drivers will be hit with higher car tax bands from April 1 as new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates come into effect. Traditional petrol and diesel combustion models will be the most affected, with rises across the board and almost every vehicle affected. However, some cars will be more impacted than others, with certain road users set to be slapped with the biggest price hikes within months. Brand new, highly polluting petrol and diesel models face the steepest hikes, with new owners of cars straight off the production line that emit over 255g/km of CO2 set to pay £200 more.These first-year VED bills doubled last year, with rates rising from £2.745 per year to an eye-watering £5,490 per annum. However, motorists are set for another inflationary rise come A...

'The Big Money Show' discusses the potential fallout from President Donald Trump’s proposed credit card interest rate cap. JPMorgan Chase Bank recently admitted it closed President Donald Trump's bank accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, a confession spurred by a $5 billion legal challenge from the president last month. The suit, brought against the bank and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, in Miami state court, accused the financial institution of debanking Trump for political reasons.In a new court filing, Dan Wilkening, chief administrative officer for global banking at JPMorgan, confirmed that in February 2021, the bank informed Trump and several of his hospitality companies that certain accounts would be closed. Copies of formal letters sent by JPMorgan are da...

Millions of young Brits desperate to get behind the wheel are being urged to make one crucial check before handing over their cash. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued fresh advice telling learner drivers to make sure their instructor is officially approved – amid concerns some may be paying for lessons with unqualified teachers.In a social media post, the DVSA said: “Looking to start driving lessons? You can find DVSA approved driving instructors by visiting http://GOV.UK Simply enter your postcode to find approved driving instructors near you.”The watchdog, which oversees driving tests and instructor standards, has an online postcode checker allowing would-be motorists to search for approved driving instructors (ADIs) in their area. Learners can access the offi...

Question à un expert Lorsque des conjoints séparés restent soumis à une imposition commune, formant ainsi un foyer fiscal indivisible, le bénéfice de l’exonération de l’impôt de plus-value de cession de leur résidence principale paraît devoir s’appliquer pleinement. Le Conseil d’Etat en a jugé autrement dans une décision du 15 décembre 2025 portant sur la situation de conjoints séparés, non divorcés, dont l’épouse est demeurée dans la résidence principale du couple alors que le mari s’est installé avec une autre partenaire, dont il a eu deux enfants. Lire aussi | Article réservé à nos abonnés Immobilier : ces cas où l’exonération fiscale de la plus-value lors de la vente de la résidence principale ne s’applique pas ...

Britain’s energy watchdog has issued fresh advice to households on how to slash gas and electricity costs. It comes as the latest forecasts suggest the energy price cap could fall by around £117 in April under Government plans to remove green levies from bills – offering some relief after years of punishing costs.In a social media post, Ofgem highlighted simple steps that can cut bills, from tweaking your boiler settings to swapping old lightbulbs for LEDs. With millions still feeling the squeeze from high energy costs, the regulator says savings are possible “with these everyday actions and home improvements”.Quick wins you can do todayOfgem says households can start saving immediately with small behavioural changes.One of the biggest is turning down your boiler temperature. If you hav...

When a leak occurs, your immediate reaction might be to ring a plumber. However, British Gas recommends there's an essential action worth taking beforehand - particularly during crises.The energy provider's guidance centres on your stopcock - the critical plumbing valve that regulates water flow to a property. Understanding its location, purpose, and how to shut it off can prove invaluable when pipes rupture or other domestic incidents arise.A specialist from British Gas recently shared their expertise on Instagram. She said: "Did you know that your house has an emergency off button for the water, but in an emergency situation, do you actually know where it is?"Your stopcock is most commonly found under your kitchen unit. Your stopcock can also be found in your downstairs toilets or in ...

Britain’s inflation rate has fallen to its lowest level since March 2025 – and economists expect it to dip further by April. With markets pricing in an 86% chance of a base rate cut at the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting on March 19, savers are being urged to move quickly before returns are slashed.A finance expert has warned that failing to lock in today’s higher savings rates could leave millions of households hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds worse off over time. Antonia Medlicott, managing director of financial education specialists Investing Insiders, says too many savers have already paid the price for inertia.She said: “Savers should act now to ensure they're not repeating the same mistake too many UK savers made last year when they lost billions in pur...