Economics

Interest rates have been at record low levels for over five years, but an interest rate hike in the near future is inevitable and investors need to protect portfolios against it.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has issued a warning over Chancellor George Osborne's plans for the UK to "go it alone" on corporate tax reform.

Advisers have welcomed the Chancellor's overhaul of the taxation system around buying property, saying it is an "ingenious" idea that will benefit the majority of clients.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned major cuts to public services will be needed to finance the measures announced in the Autumn Statement.

Bye, bye Mr Brown

The Bank of Russia has taken steps to halt the collapse of the rouble, as the currency continues to hit new record lows against the US dollar and the euro on falling oil prices.

Chancellor George Osborne announced a raft of fiscal changes today in the final Autumn Statement of the current parliament.

The amount of profit in UK banks that can be offset by losses carried forward will be limited to 50%, and relief on bad debts will be delayed, the Chancellor has announced.

The government is to crack down on investment managers "disguising guaranteed fee income as capital gains", as part of anti tax avoidance measures outlined in the Autumn Statement.

George Osborne has announced a 25% levy on profits made in the UK by multi-national companies but diverted elsewhere.