Finance

Hurricane Commerce’s smart tech revs up cross-border sales “Nothing moves without the right data,” warns its CEO Martyn Noble who is currently seeking £3 million of growth capital, an addition to the £5 million backing already invested in the Northampton-based company. Global e-commerce sales are predicted to be worth £5 trillion by 2022 with 22 per cent of those being ...

State pension UK: How some could boost state pension income by £2,342 per year for life However, for some families, giving the credit to a family member providing care can come with problems. “Often more than one family member will provide childcare, so it can be tricky knowing which carer to offer the credit to as only one adult can ...

Inheritance tax warning: Parts of your estate may go to the crown – this is why Inheritance tax (IHT) is usually charged at 40 percent and will need to be paid when a person dies and is passing on their assets. An IHT threshold can be increased if the person involved leaves parts of their estate to immediate family and ...

ISA: You can re-open a Help to Buy account if a house purchase falls through – this is how Help to Buy ISAs can provide holders with a 25 percent bonus on their savings if it’s used for a home purchase. This bonus will be capped at £3,000 in total and it can be used in tandem with the Help ...

Free bus pass age is changing for some Britons – how to check what age you’ll get yours The calculator will then state the date when the individual would qualify for a bus pass, according to the different countries in the UK. However, it’s important to be aware that some may be able to get a free bus pass earlier ...

Students with autism join Chris Packham to support butterflies and nature The therapeutic impact that nature has on children and young people with autism has received increasing attention and praise in recent years. This event at the Stepping Stones School in Surrey followed the launch this year’s Big Butterfly Count, Butterfly Conservation’s annual citizen science event that runs until August ...

Inheritance tax: New laws enforced from next month will create ‘pitfalls’ for IHT plans Inheritance tax (IHT) is levied on estates valued at more than £325,000 when a person has died and is passing on their assets. When used correctly, wills can ensure that families do not pay more on IHT than needed and if a person dies without a ...

Pension UK: Tweaking your contributions now could have big impact in retirement Making money work harder When setting aside savings, another tip is to look into the options of where to store it, Ms Laidlaw said. “If you’re working towards a short-term goal or looking to build up an emergency pot of cash, you’re probably better saving into something like ...

State pension payment dates will change this month – are you affected? Check now The state pension can provide people with a monthly income so long as they have reached state pension age, which is currently rising. The first payment should come through within five weeks of reaching state pension age – if it is claimed. State pensions are not ...

State pension age changes explained – latest rise to affect these people next month However, for these changes, the way the increases take place will be phased. It means that rather than reaching state pension age on a specific date, those affected will reach state pension age at 66 years and a particular number of months. So, for those with ...