UK

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As investors start to take on more risk we ask managers for their strategies in this environment.

UK-domiciled investment trusts have been granted greater flexibility in paying out dividends, with vehicles now able to distribute capital profits as income for the first time.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to urge the coalition today to "go further and faster" in implementing an increase in the income tax threshold.

Gilts are seeing prices fall and yields climb after the worse than feared decline in the UK economy was revealed this morning.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) once again voted unanimously to maintain interest rates at 0.5% and keep the quantitative easing (QE) programme at £275bn in January, despite fears inflation may fall below target levels.

UK GDP for the fourth quarter of 2011 dropped by 0.2%, a worse than expected figure that will heighten fears of a double-dip recession.

Shares in Asia climbed overnight despite a stalemate in Europe as talks between Greek bondholders and politicians dragged on.

ON AA