UtilityView

Reform has pledged to only fly Union, national, county or armed forces flags outside council buildings that we control Simon. Beacuse leadership is about signalling to the organisation you lead that you need complete focus on the interest of the British people. That does not diminish support for the brave Ukrainians. I would choose real delivery for the people of Essex vs Meaningless virtue signalling every time.

EXCL: Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, paving the way for a potential leadership bid if Keir Starmer’s grip on power unravels. The former DPM has settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation. HMRC was also satisfied there was no tax avoidance. Rayner tells me she was “bruised” by whole experience because of intrusion into her disabled son’s personal life, but also because it had appeared as though she was “in it for myself” rather than on the side of ordinary people. Rayner indicated she may run in event of a contest as she would “play my part” and that she understood why Labour MPs were so upset following last week’s election crushing. She said Starmer should “reflect on” stepping aside.

🚨Your pension is about to be raided and HMRC just confirmed how.... From April 2027, pension schemes will be allowed to withhold up to half of your retirement savings to cover inheritance tax. They can hold onto that money for up to 15 months while they work out what is owed Pensions used to sit outside inheritance tax entirely. From April 2027 they get hit with the standard 40% rate like everything else So your family loses up to 40% of what you spent a lifetime saving. The pension company sits on the other half for over a year before anyone sees a penny. Funeral costs, mortgage payments, school fees, none of it can be covered while the money is locked up The policy was announced by Rachel Reeves in the 2024 Budget. The operational detail confirming the 50% withholding rule was quietly published by HMRC this week, with final guidance not due until spring 2027, weeks before the deadline 10,500 estates will be dragged into inheritance tax for the first time. Another 38,500 will pay more. Average extra bill, £34,000 And this is how these things always work. The threshold starts high, the public is told it only affects the wealthy, and the numbers stay frozen while everything else rises The inheritance tax threshold has been stuck at £325,000 since 2009. House prices have nearly doubled in that time Every year, more ordinary families get pulled in without a single rule changing The government calls this closing a loophole. What it actually does is treat your pension like another revenue stream for the Treasury. Money you saved out of taxed income gets taxed again on the way out If you have a pension, this affects you. Check what your scheme is planning before April 2027 arrives Follow me to stay informed

EXCL: Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, paving the way for a potential leadership bid if Keir Starmer’s grip on power unravels. The former DPM has settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation. HMRC was also satisfied there was no tax avoidance. Rayner tells me she was “bruised” by whole experience because of intrusion into her disabled son’s personal life, but also because it had appeared as though she was “in it for myself” rather than on the side of ordinary people. Rayner indicated she may run in event of a contest as she would “play my part” and that she understood why Labour MPs were so upset following last week’s election crushing. She said Starmer should “reflect on” stepping aside.