The Law Society is urging people to consult their solicitor to check their Will is accurate and up-to-date following changes made to inheritance laws. It points out that if you die intestate – without having a valid Will in place – or if your Will has not been written to the required legal standards, then your assets could be divided up in a way that you did not intend.
Changes to mortgage laws will further protect borrowers
Banks must now adhere to a new set of rules when considering someone for a mortgage as the government tries to prevent borrowers over-stretching themselves as some have done in the past. Under the new legislation, most borrowers will be given advice from a financial expert before they take out a mortgage. This will give consumers a better understanding of how much they can afford to borrow, taking into account …Read More
£123,000 compensation for asbestos cancer victims
People who contract mesothelioma after working with asbestos could now receive £123,000 as part of a new compensation scheme introduced by the government. Ministers had initially set the figure at £115,000 per case, but have been able to increase it following savings in the cost of administering the scheme. Mesothelioma is a deadly strain of cancer that attacks the linings of the major organs in the body. It is common …Read More
Now you can save thousands when building your own home
Now you can save thousands when building your own home People building their own homes could save thousands of pounds following the government’s decision to exempt self-built accommodation from the Community Infrastructure Levy. Developers have to pay the levy to local councils to help with the cost of the infrastructure needed to support new buildings.
Gender pay gap increases for first time in five years
Gender pay gap increases for first time in five years The pay gap between men and women has widened for the first time since 2008. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that women earn £5,000 less on average. The difference is calculated on median hourly earnings for full time workers. The median wage gap increased from 9.5% to 10% in the last year. However, the TUC say …Read More
Social tenants to receive more help to buy their homes
Social tenants to receive more help to buy their homes The government wants to make it easier for tenants to purchase their homes by improving the Right to Buy scheme. Currently, council tenants who want to buy their homes can qualify for a discount of up to 60%, depending on how long they have lived in the property. This is to rise to 70%. The maximum sum that can be …Read More
Government spending £1m to tackle pregnancy discrimination
Government spending £1m to tackle pregnancy discrimination The government is launching an independent research programme to tackle the problem of workplace discrimination against pregnant women. The Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, has given the go-ahead for the project which will analyse the effect of pregnancy discrimination on both families and the economy. The £1m study will be carried out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The …Read More
How the law can help as dementia crisis looms
How the law can help as dementia crisis looms The Government has launched a new interactive online map to enable people to see the quality of care provided for dementia sufferers in their area. There are 670,000 people in England who suffer with dementia, and the number is likely to double over the next 30 years. A further 21 million people have a close friend or family member who suffers …Read More
Father loses appeal over parental responsibility for his son
Father loses appeal over parental responsibility for his son Fathers usually succeed when applying for a court order to grant them parental responsibility for their children, as it is generally considered to be in the children’s best interests. However, applications will be refused if the courts feel it would be to a child’s detriment, as happened in a recent case before the Court of Appeal. It involved an unmarried couple …Read More
Help to Buy Scheme
Helping first time buyers onto the property ladder…. Help to Buy scheme helps 15,000 people to own a new home The Help to Buy: equity loan scheme has so far helped more than 15,000 people to own a new home. The government scheme came into effect on 1 April 2013 and applies to new build properties only. To qualify, you need a minimum deposit of 5%. The government will then …Read More