VCTs

Charles McIntyre, manager of the IBIS Media VCT, examines the wealth of opportunities available in mass communications.

The relaxation of VCT investment criteria announced in yesterday's Budget will spark a number of new AIM VCT launches, says Oliver Bedford, manager of the Hargreave Hale AIM VCTs.

Venture Capital Trust providers warn solar VCTs may cease to exist following George Osborne's latest proposals.

VCTs and EIS will be able to invest in businesses with gross assets of up to £15m, from the current level of £7m, according to new rules announced in today's Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced "sweeping changes" will be made to Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) to boost small businesses.

The VCT industry expects to raise significantly more than last year's total of £340m as demand for investments to mitigate higher tax rates and pension top-up vehicles increases.

VCT group Albion Ventures has reshaped its sector allocation, tripling environmental holdings and almost doubling healthcare stocks.

HOW TO INVEST IN CLEANTECH

The government has said it has no intention of allowing Alternative Investment Market (AIM) shares to be held in ISAs.

CLEAN ENERGY