Contractor Mortgage Rates Likely To Increase Soon

Andrew Sentence, Bank of England policymaker, has once again stated that the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) should now begin to lift interest rates from the current historically low level of 0.5% due to inflation remaining persistently high.

The most recent set of official figures shows that, although the British annual consumer price inflation (CPI) has eased to 3.2% in June - down from 3.5% in May - the rate was still higher than economists had expected and significantly higher than the 2% Government target.

New Government Committee Meets To Cut Red Tape

The new cabinet committee on reducing regulation sat for the first time last week, chaired by the Business Secretary Vince Cable. The powerful committee boasts a number of political heavyweights as members, including Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Oliver Letwin, Minister of State for the Cabinet Office and Mark Prisk, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise. read more...

Worldwide Growth Forecasts Could Spell Opportunity For Contractors

With the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) slashing growth forecasts for the UK, to 1.2% from the previous forecast of 2.1%, contractors may want to consider looking further afield for their next contract. read more...

Freedom from Unfair Laws?

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has launched the Coalition Governments ‘Your Freedom’ website, designed to allow the general public to suggest laws that they feel should be removed or replaced. read more...

Capital Gains Tax Update For Contractors

As expected, George Osborne targeted the Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”) rate in the emergency budget as one of his mechanism to increase revenue into the Treasury’s coffers. Although lower than expected, the new rate is still far higher at 28% than the previous standard rate of 18%. read more...

10 Years For House Prices To Regain 2007 Peak

According to accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”), it is likely to be five years, possibly a decade before UK house prices reach their pre-recession peak. read more...

Self Cert Contractor Mortgages Defended

The Financial Services Authority’s (“FSA”) proposals to scrap ‘Self Cert’ Contractor Mortgages has received criticism for not considering freelancers and contractors in their decision. read more...

Financial Sector Demand High For IT Contractors

Demand for Freelance IT Contractors in the Financial Sector has ‘surged’ according to figures released recently. read more...

Contractors Can Benefit From House Price Dip

Rightmove have released figures showing that prices have reduced for properties coming onto the market for the first time this year. read more...