Spear's Wealth Management Survey

Talking Points

The Spear's team will be blogging everyday on everything from wealth management, the law and philanthropy to culture, luxury and beyond. Comments, questions and insults welcome.

Freddy Barker, head, Spear's Research Unit
Sophie McBain, staff writer, Spear's
Mark Nayler, senior researcher, Spear's Research Unit
Emily Rookwood, managing editor, Spear's

Chris Grayling's legal aid cuts could destroy the rule of law in Britain

'I’ve just come back from Burma,’ says Shauneen Lambe, ‘and there they are trying to build a legal model to protect fundamental human rights. But here, we’re eroding those rights.'

World Wealth Report 2013 reveals clients unclear on what they want from advisers

Three of the key factors by which HNWs select their managers show neither model has an edge

New Study Suggests it Could be Prudent to Choose Your Employers on the Basis of their Office Space

An intriguing study points to the influence windows could have on your work performance

The Recommendation by MPs for an Inquiry into Google's Tax Affairs is Good for Business

At a time when tech giants are too powerful by far, Google's creative interpretation of UK tax laws gives it an unfair advantage over smaller tech start-ups

When Will Investors Start Moving into Equities?

The Great Rotation has been a hot topic since Christmas — but seems slow to materialise

Burberry CEO Is First Woman to Top Executive Pay League — Should Feminists Celebrate?

Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's chief executive, took home £16.9m last year, more than any other FTSE 100 executive. What does this mean for ordinary women?

Harry Mount's Attack on Barristers is Shot Through with Personal Loathing

Harry Mount's vitriolic attack on barristers completely overlooks the devastating effects of legal aid cuts

Tips for buying property for your children

Freddy Barker speaks to Jo Eccles of Sourcing Property about what to consider when buying an investment property for your offspring

Now's The Time to Invest in Stamps, Wine and Musical Instruments

If low returns on trench positions are making you feel emotional, you should consider investing in emotional assets

The Woolwich Attack Must Not be Used as an Excuse to Restrict Civil Liberties

The right response to such a brutal attack is often the most difficult one

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Unbillable Hours

Our specialists solve your HNW problems (gratis!)

In this new anti-tax-avoidance era, when so many tax reliefs have been withdrawn, I've heard that investing in a Business Property Renovation Allowance scheme is one of the few remaining good opportunities for maxing your tax position. Is it true that you can get up to 100 per cent tax relief on the amount invested? And what exactly are these schemes? How do they work? What are the upsides? Downsides?

In this climate, it is a relief to see one potentially attractive tax allowance come through unscathed from recent criticism