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With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to be part of everyday life, thousands of employees have remained working from home. During the first lockdown back in March many of us were operating from a corner of the living room, the kitchen table or the spare bedroom but as restrictions have continued, home working has become increasingly sophisticated. With more people looking to create a dedicated workspace at home, building a ‘summer house’ separate from the main residence is becoming a popular option.

Retirement comes with a range of costs, which many people usually cover via a pension, however increasing numbers of Britons are facing later life with a mortgage.

People who have accumulated debts as a result of Covid-19 can now register with StepChange Debt Charity to gain access to a new short-term payment plan. StepChange estimates that among those who have seen their finances affected by coronavirus, nearly two million were not in financial difficulty before the pandemic but are now in a situation where they cannot meet their full contractual commitments.

The Chancellor recently announced an extension of measures to help support business’s from the effects of Covid-19. But what are the latest updates and workings of the current government schemes?

As we gradually edge towards a post-pandemic era, we’ve all been forced to think differently – no more so than how and where we live. During lockdown we saw numerous examples of families moving in together to share resources and save money; care for older generations or sick family members and isolating together so face to face human contact could be maintained. The question is, could this become a more permanent arrangement?

In light of the recent increased interest in property purchase, this article serves as a reminder of some of the important recent tax changes that affect how residential property and associated finance is taxed from 6 April 2020. It also considers any implications that arise out of the COVID-19 crisis.