In The Sunday Times, it is reported that the chancellor stands to make three times as much in inheritance tax on the savings schemes as he ever gave in tax breaks.

The FT reports that Investors who thought the government had effectively stamped out any opportunity to pass on their pension assets to heirs were given a glimmer of hope this week as the economic secretary, Ed Balls, pledged to consult again with the industry on Alternatively Secured Pensions.

In The Sunday Times, it is reported that the Revenue has moved the goalposts on inheritance-tax plans, leaving families facing big bills.

The Daily Mail includes a story about how despite a spate of warning stories, investor demand for commercial property funds shows no signs of waning.

This year’s Pre-Budget Report is almost certainly Gordon Brown’s last as Chancellor. On this occasion, his March 2006 Budget predictions for growth and borrowing have proved reasonably accurate, even if overall borrowing is still at an uncomfortably high level. While Mr Brown’s speech itself contained very few surprises, the supporting material issued by the Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) revealed a wide variety of important tax measures.

Research has demonstrated that asset allocation accounts for approximately 90% of the variation in investment returns. This means that asset allocation alone is nearly ten times as important as stock selection and market timing combined in determining the performance of a portfolio. So how can the optimum asset mix be achieved more cost effectively through active fund management?*

Most of us are familiar with the need to save to help provide a satisfactory standard of living in retirement and pension schemes offer very attractive tax concessions to help us do so. There is, for example, no other way of saving money that attracts tax-relief at your highest marginal income tax rate. A higher rate taxpayer therefore achieves an investment of £1,000 for every £600 they contribute to their pension plan with the balance contributed by the Inland Revenue.

Recent months have seen some of the most dramatic changes to trusts and inheritance tax law ever seen. Ongoing amendments and U-turns since the first announcements in this year’s Budget have not helped clarify the situation.

However in July the final details were revealed with the publication of the Finance Act.

Here we set out the main principles and offer our advice on the best way to handle the changes.

With the recent falls in the market, which have resulted in the broadly accepted opinion that this represents the end of a bull market, the debate about what to do with investments surrounding the possibility of a bear market continues.

Following the latest attempts to extend the scope of Inheritance tax (IHT) we are now actively advising clients of ways to preserve capital and minimise the amount of family wealth that goes to the government.

Following Gordon Brown’s announcement to abandon his controversial plan to change legislation surrounding wills, those clients whose wills are written in trusts, should seek our advice to clear up any uncertainties on the ruling.

Investors would be better off with a well-constructed portfolio rather than a protected plan.

Here are some tips.

Many earners face paying excessive national insurance contributions to fund Labour’s shake-up. And millions of middle-class taxpayers will end up paying for Labour’s plans to boost pensions.

Changes to the rules regarding Trusts have been documented recently with warnings that up to one million people could be forced to rewrite their wills. However determining whether the new costs could apply to you is a confusing area, KPM Financial Planning advises

Despite leading shares falling to their lowest levels since the beginning of March, KPM Financial Planning Ltd is advising investors not to desert the stock market.

Click here to see the "What happens if you die without a will?" flowchart.

Every year in the UK, 70% of adults die without leaving a valid will. Surprisingly, most people believe that their estate automatically passes to their husband or wife. This is generally true for those couples whose estate is worth less than £125,000. For those with estates that are worth more than £125,000 the consequences of dying without making a will can be different to that expected

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

It is a document that gives power to a person of your choice to deal with your affairs should you become incapable of managing your own affairs for any reason e.g. Motor accident, stroke etc.