In the News

Launch of UK’s first green gilt

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced government plans to launch the UK’s first green gilt in 2021, in response to “growing investor demand.” This will be the first in a series of new issuances, with the government keen to position the UK as a world-leading, green finance hub ahead of the COP 26 international climate talks in Glasgow this year.

Green gilts are a form of borrowing which help raise funds to tackle climate change, fund low carbon infrastructure projects and create ‘green jobs’.

Secret stash

It has been reported that more than a fifth (22%) of women have a secret stash of cash that they could use as a financial back-up if their relationship were to fail1. The same research also found that 29% of women would rather share details of their dating history than talk about their finances!

Almost half (48%) of respondents to the survey said they had savings so as to be prepared for any eventuality, while 44% said they have always had separate savings from their partner and wanted to keep their financial independence.

Online tax relief

From 6 April 2020, employers have been able to pay employees up to £6 a week tax-free to cover additional costs arising from working from home. Employees who have not received the expenses payment direct from their employer can apply to receive the tax relief direct from HMRC via a government portal at www.gov.uk/taxrelief-for-employees/working-at-home.

1Fidelity International, 2020

A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation. The value of investments and income from them may go down. You may not get back the original amount invested.