The extent of the rush to use the up to £1,750 stamp duty break, which finished at the end of December, has been highlighted by data showing first-time buyer mortgages dived 54% in January. This followed a 25% leap in first-time buyer loans between November and December. [...]
Health Secretary Andy Burnham yesterday said he wanted to see those with bigger houses pay more to provide for the old.
Up to 17m families would be forced to pay the tax - whether or not their loved one had required any care.
A 10% tax raid would leave the relatives of middle income earners with [...]
They may also be required by law to have a microchip implanted on their pet under Government plans to curb the use of dangerous dogs.
Another measure being considered is the use of Dog Control Notices for misbehaving animals - known as 'Dogbos'.
They would allow police officers and council officials to force miscreant owners to [...]
My wife says this is not the case. Which of us is right? T.D., Leeds
Simon Moon from This is Money replies: Lottery winnings are not regarded as income by HM Revenue & Customs so there is no income tax to pay even on the £56.5m collected by recent Euromillions winner [...]
Heir Hunters follows a series of probate firms racing against time to try to trace the distant relatives of those who have died without leaving a will - and secure their finder's fee. But the corporation was criticised last night after it emerged many of the firms are [...]
The Centre for Economics and Business Research also said it expected the UK bank rate to remain at 0.5% until 2011.
The CEBR has revised up its housing forecasts thanks to an improvement in availability of mortgages and more loan approvals.
It also believes that interest rates will stay at 0.5% until at [...]
They could be stranded abroad or lose their holiday, but have no claim for compensation.
In the past two years, more than 60 airlines and travel companies have failed, leaving thousands of holidaymakers' plans in jeopardy.
More than a third of summer holidays are booked in January and February, but consumer legislation covering them [...]
Less than one in 20 credit cards offers cashback rewards today on card spending, while over a quarter of cards offered this six years ago, according to a study by data provider Defaqto. Reward cards generally fall into four categories: Airmiles, cashback, points schemes and shopping rewards. As cashback offers [...]
Reopening the class war row with the Government, the Conservatives warned that middle-income earners will be hit by the tax - despite the Chancellor's claims that only the rich have to pay.
New figures show that Middle England's potential liability under the tax is in excess of £250bn.
Inheritance tax currently kicks in on estates worth [...]
Shoppers ignored the traditions of a quiet, family Sunday to rush to the High Street and grab bargains of up to 50% off the normal price.
Two of the country's biggest retailing giants, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, started their sales yesterday.
Both were closed on Boxing Day unlike most of their high-street rivals.
John Lewis [...]
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