大象传媒

HSBC glitch
We are charging you 拢12 for not paying what you owed us on time even though we did not send you a statement to tell us what you owed. That seems to be what has happened to xxxx HSBC customers. I say xxxx because when we asked the bank for the number affected it wouldn't go beyond 'some'. Which isn't a number. Hmmm.

Tory Chancellor taxes the rich!
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the average cut in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will be 拢1500 on 700,000 sales a year and cost 拢1.1bn. The average increase in SDLT for homes around 拢1 million and more will be 拢27,000 on 18,000 sales which brings in an extra 拢0.5bn. So the net cost - borne by all taxpayers including those who do not own their own home - is 拢600m. But that will probably rise to 拢800m after behavioural changes. Who are the winners and losers? And how will it affect the market?

Pensioners' benefits
How much will state pensions rise in April? And why?

Fall of Duty
Children under 12 fly free! Well not quite. But from 1 May they will fly free of Air Passenger Duty in economy which will by then be 拢13 for short flights and 拢71 for long haul. If you've already booked that summer 2015 trip with the kids can you get the tax back?

Autumn Statement news in brief
A few miscellaneous tax cuts and changes.

Gas wars
She's my customer. No she's mine! Well I'm sending her a bill for the gas she's used! Well. So am I! Aaarrgghhhh! Who should our listener pay for her gas? Or must she pay them both?