David Clarke interviews Partner Gillian Crandles and Financial Planner, George Martineau at Turcan Connell, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9EE. Gillian and George look at the 2015 pensions changes and the positive effect this may have on divorce and other family law related situations.
UK Pension reform and its impact on the property market. There are around 18.4 million people currently aged 55+ and from 6th April, those with ‘defined contribution' schemes will be given unprecedented access to an estimated £67.5 billion (1) of pension contributions as part of one of the biggest shake-ups in the UK's pension system.
Over Half of People Aged 65 + Have Been Targeted by Fraudsters, as Alarming New Figures by Age UK Show the Extent of Scamming. A new Age UK survey has found that 53 per cent of older people (aged 65+) believe they've been targeted by fraudsters, and that while many do not respond, of those who do 70 per cent of people of all age groups said that they had personally lost money.
The equine industry in Scotland is growing, and according to Horse Scotland, it contributes £228 million to the Scottish economy per year (excluding racing); however there is a need for greater regulation and coordination in order to reduce risks which include horse health and welfare. Developing an accurate database of the number and location of horses in Scotland would allow for better monitoring of disease, traceability of horse movement, more effective breeding programmes and would address the welfare concerns associated with increased horse numbers.
AN excellent range of one-bedroom and studio flats with affordable rents are available now at Caberfeidh Court in Wick. Cairn Housing Association has 36 high quality properties that are available exclusively to people over 50 years of age.
Responding to today's announcement by the Prime Minister*, the CIPD, the professional body for HR, welcomes a focus on the corporate volunteering agenda. A new report from the CIPD, 'From Big Society to the big organisation: the role of organisations in supporting employee volunteering', includes survey data that reveals that 39% of large organisations already offer paid time for their employees to take part in volunteering opportunities, with an additional 23% offering unpaid time.
Highlands & Islands MSP, David Stewart has highlighted that he has now evidence that the cull of Police Support Staff has had a direct impact on the role of the front line Police Officer. Since the inception of Police Scotland on 1 April 2013, Police Scotland was tasked with delivering £64 million of efficiency savings in the first year of operation.
Will They Stay or Will They Go? KPMG Head of Macroeconomics Discusses the Risk of Greek Exit from the Eurozone. Yael Selfin, Head of Macroeconomics, KPMG said: "As the last date in Greece's debt saga passes by safely, with the Greek government repaying its dues to the IMF, we should remember this is only one repayment in many payable over the next five months.
Data released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that UK industrial production grew by just 0.1% year-on-year in February, the lowest rate since August 2013. Manufacturing output, the largest component of the sector, rose by 1.1%.
The 21st of April will herald a new phase for internet searches as Google flags up a change in its algorithms. This is likely to mean that sites that are not mobile-friendly may suffer the consequences if they want to rank well in all searches.
Commenting in response to the Iranian nuclear deal and its impact on the oil sector,George Johnson, executive advisor, oil & gas at KPMG, said: "The global oil market could be braced for more uncertainty in the coming months. The Iranian nuclear deal is likely to see sanctions on exports lifted leading to an increase in Iranian crude oil production.
A total of 19 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 7 May in the three Highland UK Parliamentary General Election constituencies. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency has attracted 5 candidates; Ross Skye and Lochaber constituency, 7 candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency, 7 candidates.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (April, 9th) sold 860 sheep of all classes. Lambs (493) averaged £57.31 and sold to £98 gross for Suffolk crosses from Shewglie, Glenurquhart.
The deadline for members of the public to share their views on The Highland Council's new Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance has been extended to Friday 22 May. Once approved, this guidance will be used for determining planning applications for wind energy development in Highland.
- App available to download for free now via App Store or Google Play. - Users can make payments and check account balance on the move.
With one month to the election, historical analysis suggests the UK election result probably won't be the key factor in determining stock market performance in the next 5 years. Stock market has performed almost twice as well under Conservative rule.
Highland MSP, David Stewart has expressed his "deep concern" over low levels of private rented sector deposits that are registered with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme, which is required under legislation, in the Highlands. Figures revealed by SafeDeposits Scotland who take on average 60% of the Tenancy Deposit Market show that only 61% of landlords across Scotland are complying with legislation which requires private rent deposits to be registered.
Adults in the UK will owe an average of over £47,000 by 2020, according to new analysis by The Money Charity. The UK's leading financial capability charity today calls on all parties to make financial capability a key policy priority after next month's election or face a personal debt crisis.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 8th) sold 631 Aberdeen Angus, native bred and continental store cattle in a special show and sale supported by Morrison's Supermarket, 10 adult head of breeding cattle and 23 OTM cattle. Aberdeen Angus bullocks (241) averaged 228.9p and sold to 259p per kilo for a pair of 390kg Aberdeen Angus from Kirkton Farm, Golspie, and £1,300 gross for a pair of 725kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Hilton Farm, Tain.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd, (April 8th) sold 29 Young Farmers over-wintered cattle at their annual show and sale, kindly sponsored by A M Phillip Agritech, Messrs Craiglands Quarry, Fortrose, and Mill 'n’ Mix Ltd, Dingwall. Bullocks (20) averaged 236.6p and sold to 297.7p per kilo for the supreme champion, a 440kg Limousin cross from Rachel Matheson, Ballicherry Farm, Balblair, and £1,320 gross for a 590kg Limousin cross from Euan MacIver, Upper Knockmuir, Fortrose.