The recent case of Lefort v HMRC [2024], featuring one of Wedlake Bell’s very own Pensions Compass articles, serves as a costly reminder to fixed protection holders that inadvertent pension contributions will not be treated favourably by HMRC or the
More about Part 2 – Taxpayer’s mistake no defence to loss of his protectionBackground Mr Roy Thomas (the “Appellant“) applied for a cohabiting partner’s pension and a lump-sum death grant from the Southwark Pension Fund (the “Respondent“) following the death of his partner, Ms. Claudette Coke, on 11 March 2021. The Appellant and
More about Part 1 – Cohabitation and financial interdependence – A lesson from the high courtThe festive season is a time for celebration, offering a chance for employers to reward their staff and for colleagues to connect in a more informal and relaxed setting. Office Christmas parties often serve as a well-earned opportunity to unwind
More about Sexual harassment and Christmas partiesThe Autumn Budget 2024 included confirmation that the tax break currently enjoyed by private schools will be removed and value added tax (VAT) will apply to fees from January 2025. Wealth transfer between generations can help fund school fees as
More about School fees and education trustsThe headline for Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget on 30 October 2024 (“the Budget“) was “Fixing the Foundations to deliver Change” and, as expected, there were significant changes announced that affect private clients and their personal taxation. This article provides
More about In Trust – Autumn Budget 2024: Inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning pointsI am a farmer owning an agricultural estate worth several million. How will the inheritance tax changes announced in the Autumn Budget affect me and can I do anything to minimise the extra tax my estate may need to pay?
More about In Trust – Ask the expertThe Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024 (“the Autumn Budget“) introduced a myriad of tax changes designed to address economic inequality, reduce the so-called “black hole” in the national finances and fund public services, while also influencing the financial landscape
More about In Trust – Welcome from the editorThis was the headline for Rachel Reeves’s first Budget. She spoke for one and half hours in a wide ranging speech which contained many of the changes announced during the last few weeks but also some surprises. We set out
More about Autumn Budget 2024: Fixing the foundations to deliver change?In this “stop press” edition of our Globally Speaking e-bulletin, we provide our initial thoughts on the most highly anticipated Budget in the UK for a generation; the first by a Labour government in fourteen years and more significantly the
More about Globally Speaking: Stop press the Autumn Budget 2024Part 2 of our Employment Podcast celebrating World Mental Health Day is here! Listen to Employment Partner Stephen Ravenscroft and Senior Partner Camilla Wallace continue their conversation about mental health challenges in the workplace. How are employers raising awareness of
More about Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast – It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace (part 2)