NatWest Outage

 

NatWest suffered a severe system outage this morning both online and on their app for several hours.

It seems to be up and running now.

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Inflation Falls To 2.3%

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has stated that the UK inflation rate fell to 2.3% in the year to April 2024. This decline marks the lowest annual rate of price rises since July 2021 when it was at 2%. Here are the key points:

1. Energy Prices: The significant drop in inflation is primarily driven by cooling energy prices. Specifically, prices of electricity, gas, and other fuels fell by 27.1% in the year to April, which is the largest decrease since records began in 1989.

2. Core Inflation: Despite the overall decline, core inflation remains elevated. The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to March 2024, unchanged from February. On a monthly basis, CPIH increased by 0.6% in March 2024, compared to a rise of 0.7% in March 2023.

3. Interest Rates: The drop in inflation could potentially bring the UK closer to the Bank of England's target of 2%. This development may impact interest rate decisions in the near future.

In summary, while overall inflation has eased due to energy price reductions, core inflation remains a concern. Keep an eye on how these figures evolve in the coming months! 

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official ONS report .

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You have the peace of mind knowing that your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees will be paid by the insurance without any Excess for you to find.

Tax Investigation Insurance is an insurance policy that will fully reimburse your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees up to £100,000 if you are subject to enquiry by or dispute with HMRC.

A Solar Protect policy will enable your accountant (your tax return agent) to:

• Deal with any correspondence from HMRC
• Attend any meeting with HMRC
• Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
• Having the security of knowing that fees will be met in full will enable your Accountant (your tax return agent) to defend your position robustly

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Bank of England's Miserable Incompetence

 

In a recent turn of events, Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused the Bank of England of 'miserable incompetence' over its handling of inflation. This accusation comes amidst a backdrop of rising inflation rates and a growing concern over the Bank's strategies.

The Accusation

Rees-Mogg's criticism is primarily targeted at the Bank's failure to reduce inflation more quickly and its bond-selling strategy. He has accused the Bank of damaging the economy with its interest rate decisions and costing the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds by selling off government debt too quickly. This strategy, known as quantitative tightening (QT), is aimed at reducing the Bank's balance sheet.

The Fallout

The former business secretary's comments have stirred up controversy, especially as rightwing Tories prepare to renew their attacks on the Bank's independence¹. Rees-Mogg's criticism is particularly scathing, stating that the Bank's 'miserable incompetence allowed inflation to peak at almost six times its target rate'.

Furthermore, he has accused the Bank of demanding higher taxes due to its 'hopeless bond trading strategy. He even went as far as to compare the Bank's strategy to Nick Leeson's, who famously bankrupted the London-based bank, Barings.

The Response

The Bank of England has yet to respond to these accusations. However, this incident has highlighted the fractious relationship between the Bank and the right of the Tory party. This tension has been present since Liz Truss's short tenure in Downing Street, during which she considered sacking its top bosses¹.

The Future

As the situation unfolds, members of Conservative Way Forward, a Thatcherite group of Tory MPs, are preparing to launch a report that once more calls into question the Bank's independence. This report focuses on the losses made by the Bank's quantitative tightening policy.

In conclusion, Jacob Rees-Mogg's accusations have sparked a heated debate about the Bank of England's handling of inflation and its independence. As the political and economic landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the UK's economy.

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Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

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Tax Investigation Insurance is an insurance policy that will fully reimburse your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees up to £100,000 if you are subject to enquiry by or dispute with HMRC.

A Solar Protect policy will enable your accountant (your tax return agent) to:

• Deal with any correspondence from HMRC
• Attend any meeting with HMRC
• Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
• Having the security of knowing that fees will be met in full will enable your Accountant (your tax return agent) to defend your position robustly

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GDP Growth Hits 0.6% - UK Out of Recession

UK Economy Bounces Back: A Look at Today's GDP Figures

The United Kingdom has officially exited its recession, according to the latest GDP figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2024, marking the end of a short, albeit impactful, economic downturn.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

The 0.6% growth rate exceeded expectations, signalling a faster-than-anticipated recovery. This figure represents the UK's strongest expansion in over two years³. The rebound was driven by a 0.7% growth in the services sector and a 0.8% increase in the production sector⁵. However, the construction sector saw a decline of 0.9%.

The Bigger Picture

While the latest GDP figures offer some better news, it's important to remember that the overall growth picture tells a different story¹. The UK economy had been in a technical recession, with activity falling in the third and fourth quarters of the previous year⁵. Despite this, the economy has shown resilience and adaptability in bouncing back.

Looking Ahead

The recent GDP growth is a positive sign for the UK economy, but it's not a guarantee of continued expansion. The government and businesses will need to continue their efforts to stimulate growth and navigate the post-recession landscape.

In conclusion, today's GDP figures are a testament to the resilience of the UK economy. While challenges undoubtedly remain, the UK has taken a significant step forward in its economic recovery. The hope is that this upward trend will continue, bringing more stability and prosperity to the nation.


Tax Investigation Insurance

Market leading tax fee protection insurance for businesses, sole traders and individuals. Protect yourself from accountancy fees in the event of an HMRC enquiry.

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

You have the peace of mind knowing that your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees will be paid by the insurance without any Excess for you to find.

Tax Investigation Insurance is an insurance policy that will fully reimburse your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees up to £100,000 if you are subject to enquiry by or dispute with HMRC.

A Solar Protect policy will enable your accountant (your tax return agent) to:

• Deal with any correspondence from HMRC
• Attend any meeting with HMRC
• Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
• Having the security of knowing that fees will be met in full will enable your Accountant (your tax return agent) to defend your position robustly

Please click here for details.