The Chancellor’s recent UK Spring Statement reaffirmed her commitment to the government’s economic strategy and, crucially for private clients, did not contain any further adjustments to the reforms originally outlined in the 2024 and 2025 Autumn Budgets which are due
More about In Trust – March 2026Commentary has increased in the last month or so: ‘Inheritance Tax on pensions has triggered a middle class panic’ said The Sunday Times in its Money section. The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee also published a report at the
More about Inheritance tax on pensions is changing: how to prepare before 2027After several years of turbulence, the UK’s economic and political landscape is showing signs of stabilising. While uncertainties remain and policy developments continue, markets have steadied, the direction of travel on key reforms is becoming clearer, and the pace of
More about Globally Speaking – February 2026The Zakat principles Zakat is a strategic and rules-based mechanism rather than a random act of voluntary charity. It is obligatory for every Muslim who possesses the requisite net assets (Zakatable assets) to give Zakat. Zakat is due on assets
More about Understanding Zakat: obligatory charity giving in IslamThe UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is tightening up, and from 25 February 2026, failing to travel with the right passport could stop you from boarding your flight altogether. This is not a small administrative tweak —it’s a fundamental
More about Urgent travel warning for British dual nationalsAgainst a backdrop of global political and economic uncertainty, and despite significant recent changes to the UK’s tax regime for individuals, the UK remains an attractive and comparatively stable destination for internationally mobile Americans. This summary highlights the principal UK
More about Stars, stripes and sterling: a tax guide for Americans in the UKIn our November 2025 edition of Globally Speaking, we explained that the UK Budget on 26 November 2025 included an unexpected announcement affecting the inheritance tax (IHT) position of formerly “excluded property trusts” that had a “long-term resident” (LTR) settlor
More about Capping inheritance trust charges for excluded property trusts revisitedHigh Value Council Tax Surcharge For many years, the UK stood apart from our European neighbours by not imposing an annual property tax beyond standard council tax. While speculation about a “mansion tax” has circulated for many years, it never
More about Considering investing in a prime residential property in England? Here’s what you need to know about Stamp Duty Land Tax and the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge2026 begins with renewed momentum: fresh starts, evolving rules for wealth and estate planning, and a lively political backdrop. After a year of significant change in terms of tax policy and regulatory frameworks, we hope that 2026 brings greater certainty,
More about In Trust – January 2026It is worth a reminder of how we got here: as the rules stood, historically, there was no limit on the value of property which, if it qualified for 100% relief as agricultural or business property, could pass on death
More about Festive cheer for farmers and business owners as Government increases APR and BPR 100% relief limit to £2.5m