The Main Stage at A Place in the Sun Live is the heart of the exhibition, with interviews and top tips from television presenters Amanda, Jasmine and Jonnie as well as other experts from the world of overseas property on buying your home abroad.

The Buying Advice Seminar Theatre brings together developers, agents, consuls and lawyers in panel Q&A sessions, so is the place to go armed with your questions about buying abroad. There’s a packed schedule of sessions throughout each day, covering different countries and topics to help you make the most out of your property overseas.

There are also series of country-themed villages and pavilion areas within the show with dedicated seminar theatres, where you can get specific advice on the most popular destinations to buy a property abroad.

The French Village in association with the experts on France, French-Property.com and sponsored by Halo Financial has its own dedicated seminar theatre and is surrounded by agents selling property from all four corners of France. Plus there are experts on tax, healthcare and all the other important topics you need your questions answered on before buying a property in France.

The Portuguese Pavilion in association with the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will showcase properties from the Algarve, Silver and Green Coasts. The Pavilion is hosted by bilingual Portuguese property owner Christina Hippisley, who will be joined by other experts from the Portuguese property industry, who can answer all your questions about what its like to buy a property and live in Portugal.

The Florida Pavilion at A Place in the Sun Live is a dedicated area featuring hundreds of properties for sale from both coasts of Florida and features its very own dedicated seminar theatre. There will be a collection of licensed realtors along with experts that can advise you on rentals, currency and legal issues.

The Italian Pavilion in association with the Italian Chamber of Commerce visits our Earls Court show for the first time and is home to a selection of agents and developers from across Italy. There will be a dedicated seminar theatre with sessions from experts on the property market in Italy, where you can learn about everything from the buying process to the intricacies of the Italian tax system. Come prepared with your questions to make the most of your day.

Click here to get your free tickets worth £12 each:

 http://www.aplaceinthesun.com/etickets/homesandtravel.html

You may have as many free tickets as you like, but you must complete and print a ticket for each person.

The percentage of VAT for first time buyers in Cyprus will be reduced down to 5% for new homes that have a 15% VAT levy

Now is a great time to buy a property in Cyprus as a new law passed in October 2011 provides for a reduction in VAT on new-build properties for those wishing to permanently swap the British winter gloom for Mediterranean sun.

The timing is especially apt with the launch of the latest residential component at Eléa Estate. This is part of the first phase of the newly integrated family-friendly golf development. The mix of 2- and 3-bedroom Garden Villas (semi-detached) and luxurious detached 3- and 4-bedroom villas provide a new affordable entry price starting at €695,000, approximately £575,000 (excluding VAT).

The launch of a further 13 new villas in phase one follows hot on the heels of the seven exclusive golf fronted, 4- and 5-bedroom detached villas launched earlier in September 2011.

The new law passed by the government provides a reduction in VAT and benefits those considering a home at Eléa Estate as a main and permanent residence. The percentage of VAT for first time buyers in Cyprus will be reduced down to 5% for new homes that have a 15% VAT levy.

The legislation applies to homes of up 275m², although the reduction in VAT only applies to the first 200m². The normal rate of 15% VAT will therefore be chargeable on the other 75m² where the home measures 275m². This represents potential savings for buyers.

Eléa Estate’s centrepiece is a par-71 golf course which has been designed by the six-time Major winner, Sir Nick Faldo and 20 properties in phase one are close to the 13th & 14th tees

Golf membership is included with property ownership for immediate family and the annual dues are included for the first year.

The 2- to 3-bedroom Garden Villas also being launched are ‘linked’ (semi-detached) and provide a hassle-free ‘lock-up and leave’ option for holiday homeowners.

Pierrick Prillot, Real Estate Sales & Marketing Director at Eléa Estate says: “We are excited to be kick-starting the New Year with the launch of these new villas, especially as simultaneous steps have been taken by the Cypriot government to help boost property sales.

“This will simplify and speed-up the buying process in Cyprus. These new holiday homes at Eléa Estate offer a great lifestyle with an excellent level of service.”

These new homes will be set on a peaceful hillside and have been designed by Ergo7, under the guidelines of resort planers and lead architect Hart Howerton. There are currently eight types of villas to choose from which offer elegance combined with the best modern living and designs that can be modified to suit the individual buyers’ needs.

All designs take into account Cyprus’s climate and feature a similar amount of interior and exterior living areas. All properties consist of two levels with private pools, covered parking and have the added benefit of lower ground living space. Balconies, roof gardens and terraces have been a feature of Mediterranean homes for many years and these are incorporated to provide light and natural shade.

Each detached villa has a large infinity swimming pool, set in private landscaped gardens with indigenous species of plants. The property specifications include; a fireplace, under-floor heating, lift, en-suite bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes, optional sauna, pool heating and a room with flexible space suitable for a home cinema, study or playroom. Homes can be placed in the Eléa Estate rental pool and full home and garden maintenance will also be available.

Eléa Estate Club House

Eléa Estate will be a fully integrated five-star luxury development and amenities will include a boutique hotel supported by a range of dining options and a ‘village’ with shops and restaurants creating a friendly community feel. For those not keen on swinging a golf club on the signature golf course, an extensive spa is to open offering the ultimate pampering experience in the future.

The mix of 2- and 3-bedroom Garden Villas (semi-detached) and luxurious detached 3-4 bedroom villas provide a new affordable entry price starting at €695,000, approximately £575,000 (excluding VAT).

The launch of a further 13 new villas in phase one follows hot on the heels of the seven exclusive golf fronted, 4- and 5-bedroom detached villas launched earlier in September 2011.

Prices for the newly launched Villas in phase one start at €695,000 (approx. £575,000) for a 2-bedroom Garden Villa. Three bedroom Garden Villas start at €847,000 (approx. £700,000) and three bedroom detached villas are available from €1,521,000, (approx. £1,259,000). See: www.www.eleaestate.com for more information

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 3 June will see a procession of 1,000 boats travel down the Thames, from Battersea to Tower Bridge, flanking the Royal Barge which will transport the Queen. Picture: Maureen Brander

Marking 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will celebrate around an extended weekend on 2 – 5 June 2012. Officially recently unveiled, the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 3 June will see a procession of 1,000 boats travel down the Thames, from Battersea to Tower Bridge, flanking the Royal Barge which will transport the Queen. The procession, which will include vessels of all shapes and sizes from around the world, including tall ships and square riggers, fishing and cargo boats, yachts, tugs, steamers and canoes, is expected to be the biggest televised event ever to take place.

VisitEngland Chairman, Lady Cobham said: “The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a remarkable undertaking and a fantastic draw for London. However, the rest of England has also been gripped by the occasion and there are celebrations taking place throughout the country, from the royal family’s official residences, stately homes and national galleries, to parks and public spaces and in private gardens and family homes.”

Here are just a few of VisitEngland’s highlights of the Jubilee year calendar:

Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years – The Drawings Gallery, Windsor Castle

Opening on 4 February, an exhibition of 60 photographs of The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades, will go on display at Windsor. The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen’s reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings.

The exhibition includes pictures of Queen Elizabeth II on regional and international official visits, leading the nation on Remembrance Day, in the Garter Day procession at Windsor, hosting Heads of State and inspecting the graduating officer cadets at Sandhurst. It also records important personal and family milestones and her lifelong love of equestrianism and of her corgis. The exhibition will run until January 2013. 
www.royalcollection.org.uk

The Wild, the Beautiful and the Damned at Hampton Court Palace

Running 5 April – 30 September 2012, this royal-themed exhibition tells a story about the fascination of love, glamour, celebrity, lust and power and involves some of the key characters that lived, loved and died at Hampton Court Palace – Charles II, James II, William III & Queen Mary II and Queen Anne. Beauty was a good thing: it was a reflection of divine perfection, an indication of virtue.

This temporary exhibition will contain magnificent artworks to reveal the stories and scandals, and will include items from the Royal Collection and other public and private collections, many of which are not currently on display.
http://www.hrp.org.uk

The World Comes to Windsor Castle

HM Queen departs from the Sovereigns Entrance of the Palace of Westminster at the end of the State Opening of Parliament.

Held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle on the evenings of 10, 11 and 13 May, the Diamond Jubilee Pageant will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign in a performance that brings together over 500 horses and 800 international performers. Dance, music, military and equestrian displays from around the world will feature in this major show: Around the World in 60 Years and 90 minutes.

Visitors will be taken on a journey around the world, reflective of the Queen’s State and Commonwealth visits during her rain: starting out from London and visiting the Americas, Australasia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and finally Great Britain. The seven acts draw from their respective continent, ensuring a colourful cultural display. Tickets available at www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com

Bright, Shiny Diamond Jubilee Beacons – various locations

England has a centuries-long history of beacon lighting to mark national events and the beacon is widely recognised as a symbol of united celebration. On 4 June, 2,012 beacons will be lit across the whole of the United Kingdom, as they were for the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees.

Locations already confirmed include the highest school in England, Flash Church of England school in Staffordshire (which has just 10 pupils); three of His Grace the Duke of Westminster’s estates in Sutherland, Cheshire and Lancashire; and 60 beacons along the length of Hadrian’s Wall – one for every year of the Queen’s reign. 
www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk

Go Down to the (Diamond) Woods – various locations

HRH The Princess Royal launches the Jubilee Woods project for the Woodland Trust which marks the Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations with the planting of 6 million trees.

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, the Woodland Trust is helping millions of people to come together with their communities to plant 6 million trees. The Jubilee Woods Project, fronted by Patron HRH The Princess Royal, aims to create hundreds of Jubilee Woods across the country, and 60 special Diamond Woods, of at least 60 acres – to transform our landscape in a generation and provide a lasting legacy for many years to come. This includes the Trust’s new Flagship Diamond Wood in the heart of The National Forest in Leicestershire, a haven for wildlife and a monument to Her Majesty. To find out more or get involved, visit
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Partake in a Big Jubilee Lunch – Countrywide

Building on the established Big Lunch initiative, the Big Jubilee Lunch will encourage friends and neighbours to share lunch in their local neighbourhoods on Sunday 3 June. Based on the premise that a connected community is a safe and happy community, the Big Lunch Initiative was founded by the Eden Project in 2009 and provides the tools and support needed for members of the public to organise and encourage shared neighbour lunches once a year, and as a result to build lasting and valuable connections.

The initiative hopes to double participation numbers in 2012, and to create an annual Thanksgiving Day of sorts, all of our own. To find out more about hosting or joining a Big Lunch, visit www.thebiglunch.com

A Capital Celebration – London’s Exhibitions

HRH The Queen watches a flypast of RAF Jaguars in a flypast Diamond 9 formation when she visited RAF Coltishall. Picture: Arthur Edwards The Sun

In addition to the river pageant, London will be host to several exhibitions on the Royal Family and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Showing at the V&A from 8 February – 22 April, Cecil Beacon’s Royal Portraits will include 60 photographs depicting the Royal Family at home and on official occasions.

A new permanent exhibition opening at Kensington Palace on 26 March, Victoria Revealed, will look at the life and reign of Queen Victoria – England’s longest-reigning monarch – while Tower Bridge will be re-presenting the Crown Jewels exhibition for the Jubilee year, with new displays showing the jewels like never before.

For more information on Jubilee events around the country, visit www.enjoyengland.com/jubilee

British architects and landscape designers enjoy a hard-earned reputation as world leaders, yet prospective clients often find the right practice hard to identify. No wonder – Britain has 33,000 architects and no limit to the numbers calling themselves landscape-designers.

The RedBook Agency offers a way to spotlight the finest talent in the UK.

The agency will offer architects and landscape designers:

• A way to enter new sectors or to expand a practice in new directions
• An easier way to meet the best new clients from all those who approach them
• A means of winning valuable new projects for the practices represented, through intelligent and highly targeted marketing, and PR and leveraging the Agency’s extensive contacts.

The benefits include:

• matching new clients to architects and landscape designers and ensuring that expectations are happily met on both sides
• No joining fees or other upfront expenses for practices represented by Red Book
• Recognition as one of the UK’s finest talents

Prospective clients looking for a creative partner often have to rely on word of mouth which can be a slow process, yielding only one or two names. And who can be sure whether an architect or landscape designer recommended informally will provide the best possible match of vision, personality or budget?

Sandy Mitchell of RedBook

By using RedBook, clients receive tailored, independent advice on a wide range of the very best practices, so that they can then make an informed selection of architect or landscape designer. All prospective clients will be interviewed by Red Book’s team in person at the outset to assess their needs and commitment – and to form an initial view of the appropriate match.

The RedBook team members will then liaise with practices—giving them a brief on the client’s project—to ensure the client and the project truly appeals. Only then is the client put in touch with the practice.  Neither the client nor the practice is under any obligation to accept a particular introduction from the Agency.

RedBook will represent up to 30 of the UK’s finest architecture practices while the landscape design practices will be limited to 20.

The practices represented by RedBook cover the spectrum – from designing visionary contemporary buildings to restoring historic houses, from creating cutting-edge landscapes to traditional town or country gardens – and they include the most experienced practitioners as well as brilliant young ‘stars of tomorrow’.

Exacting membership standards

The practices work in every corner of Britain, and vary greatly in size of practice just as they do in their fees. Yet all these practices share two qualities: exceptional talent and the highest degree of peer-respect.

To make certain this exclusive ‘club’ retains its exacting membership standards, RedBook relies on a top flight advisory panel to select practices of the right calibre. The panel includes Clive Aslet, an expert on British architecture; Jeremy Musson, the architectural historian; Dominic Bradbury, architecture and design commentator; Sir Roy Strong, the design expert and garden expert Stephen Anderton.

Clients will pay only a small registration fee up front. RedBook’s revenue is earned from the practices represented, who trust the agency to introduce clients they will enjoy working with.

There are no joining fees or other upfront expenses for practices represented by RedBook.

For more information, contact Sandy Mitchell at RedBook on: +44 (0) 20 7060 6222 or e-mail: sandy@redbookagency.com

Demand for homes in Detroit is high among property investors

The property investment market is ‘motoring’ in Motown following a pledge by President Barack Obama to provide massive financial support for the regeneration of the State of Michigan’s biggest city, Detroit.

A growing number of UK investors, disenchanted by the performance of the ailing stock market, are putting their money into buy-to-let bricks and mortar, snapping up distressed properties in Detroit.

“They are attracted by discounts as high as 70 per cent and net yields of up to 17 per cent,” according to Mike Coyle of international property investment specialist High Yield Bricks which is handling the sales.

Detroit, which has attracted more than half a million high tech workers, has suffered from a shift in urban sprawl to the suburbs. The resulting housing crash has left Motown, the heart of its motor industry area, short of affordable housing.

Investors are snapping-up newly-refurbished homes like these currently on offer in Detroit

Now, inspired by President Obama’s promise of billions of dollars to invest in industries which will create thousands of new jobs, property investors are cashing-in through ethical investment whereby foreclosed and uninhabitable properties are being converted into homes.

“With more than 9,000 low-income working families already on the waiting list, demand is high,” reports Mike. “Investors can be assured by the way Detroit’s city authorities are managing the newly-refurbished homes through their Housing and Urban Development scheme. It includes extensive checks on the financial security of would-be tenants and the underwriting of rental payments so that investors do not have to collect money from individual tenants.”

The prices of properties available depend on size and location. Typically a three-bedroom detached home with a monthly rental income in excess of US$850 can be purchased through High Yield Bricks for as little as US$32,000.

Purchases can be completed and annual capital growth is expected to average five per cent over the next five years.

For more details download a free investment guide at www.highyieldbricks.com

Los Tres Reyes - The Three Kings - are essential to the Spanish festivities

One thing is certain if you spend Christmas in Spain – it is going to be considerably cheaper than it would be in the UK. It’s not that the Spanish do not celebrate the Christmas period but on the whole they haven’t gone mad with the commercialism of the event. For Spaniards, Christmas has retained its religious focus with traditional nativity scenes present in most homes, decorations throughout the towns and villages and a general feeling of peace to all men.

The ‘stars’ of the Christmas period in Spain are The Three Kings, Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar. Father Christmas and Rudolf play much smaller parts and in years gone by were unknown. The Three Kings are the same ones that we know in the UK. They saw the Star in the West and followed it to Bethlehem bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is representations of these gifts that are exchanged on 6 January in Spain.

British expat Dean Wilkinson has lived in Spain for 12 years. He has often spent Christmas there as opposed to trekking back to the UK for turkey and perhaps a little more commercialism than he wishes to stomach. Dean explains: “Spanish Children don’t expect gifts on 25 December. Some may receive a few but it will be more of a token gesture while they wait for the big event on 6 January but for British and other European expats, 25 December remains the main event.

An alternative place to celebrate 25 December

“Being in the UK is so much more frenetic and stressful at Christmas than in Spain where the pace of life is so much more relaxed and gentle. The thought of trekking round the M25 or queuing in supermarkets in the UK is not something I miss. I am very lucky to have purchased an apartment in the hills on the Costa del Sol. I’ll be enjoying the company of good friends, delicious Spanish food and some ice cold beer on Christmas day this year,” explains Dean.

The festive calendar in Spain follows this format:

• The 21 December marks the shortest day and in many cities this is celebrated with big bonfires where the crowd will be seen jumping through the flames to protect themselves against illness.
• 22 December is a big day in the Spanish diary as this is the date that the annual Christmas Lottery is drawn – the event takes all day and is a much bigger lottery draw than anything that would be seen in the UK. This is known as ‘the fat one’ (El Gordo) and there is great excitement and ceremony over the whole occasion.
• Then 24 December is known as Nochebuena. This is a very important family gathering in the social calendar. Food, cava and festive sweets make this evening stand out and this night is as big in Spain as New Year’s Eve.
• The 28 December is known in Spain as El Dia de Los Santos Inocentes – this translates to Holy Innocents and is our equivalent of April Fools Day. In Spain you can find whole communities engaged in frivolous activities such as making the Mayor sweep the streets.
• New Year’s Eve is a big celebration throughout Spain much as you will see throughout the world.
• Then the Christmas period culminates with the Feast of the Epiphany on 6 January when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Spanish children this is the most important day of the year when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) have left gifts for them in their house. Three Kings are their favourites, especially Baltasar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts. During the day of 6th The Three Kings continue their good work and are seen distributing gifts to children in hospitals all over Spain.

This could be your Christmas home in Mallorca!

Marc Pritchard, Sales & Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, who lives on the island of Mallorca explains why the festive season in Spain is so special: “I love the deep traditions of a Spanish Christmas. My advice is to come out and experience the tradition for yourself – and sooner the better!

“We have property available from €114,920 at the moment; there has not been a better time to buy in Spain for many years and spending the festive season in the sun with the joy and fun of the Spanish is really something very special.”

For more information contact Taylor Wimpey España via www.taylorwimpeyspain.com

Stewart Andersen, Editor

Market day in Montcuq

As the days get shorter and colder, emerging from my home in Montcuq can be a daunting prospect and one Sunday recently I found myself believing I’d have to stay indoors until the spring, cooking, reading and knitting to entertain myself in our small village in the southwest region of France. Outside, the horse chestnut trees that not so long ago dropped their conkers on cars, boule players and pedestrians alike hang their heads and wait for the warmer weather.

But actually, in spite of it being a freezing wet Sunday, we were spoiled for choice. The morning’s main activity involved preparing lunch after going to the local market. Half the stalls didn’t turn up for once because of the rain but the old farmers and diehards were there with the best of the local produce. This is very much a country area and the food from the Lot is delicious and above all, seasonal.

The Christmas spirit

Wild, spicy rocket from the toothless cowboy, organic spinach from the mousy little lady wrapped up in a coat and shawl, and baby sprouts from the man with bandy legs who served us while managing to let the rainwater run down the gutter between his feet.

A busy Sunday in the Lot

At the same time, local firemen were showing off their skills to raise money for a Telethon and the local school and all the teachers were selling homemade cakes and cards in the same way that the WI does in the UK.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch with old friends and someone popped over to ask if he could use the Internet. After an enormous and delicious pot au feu, a variety of cheeses and two cakes (one made by the school), we strolled up to the church of St Privat where the choir was due to sing a Christmas Concert in French and English. This just goes to show how many foreigners, and especially the British, tend to have settled here.

The whole church was full of elderly residents and the only other young person was the 11-year old butcher’s son but I loved being there all the same and really getting into the Christmas spirit. The Mayor turned up and clapped enthusiastically after every song, and the choir was wonderful, particularly given that they are all amateurs.

To round off our Sunday we made our way to the Salle de Fêtes to see a movie, When Pigs Have Wings (Le Cochon de Gaza). This is a French, Belgian and German production directed by Sylvain Estibal and is the story of a poor Palestinian fisherman who reels in a pot-bellied pig along with his usual catch.

I can’t say I felt especially guilty when finally I took to my cosy bed with a good book (The Hare with Amber Eyes) and no supper after such a busy and fun-filled day in cold December. Life in Montcuq really has a very great deal to offer.

The boring machine for the Super Sewer is wider than the size of three London buses

Try to imagine the construction that will last for six to seven years of a Super Sewer, that will involve 29,000 lorry journeys during the construction period, that will continue 24-hours a day, that will increase the capital value of Thames Water by 40 per cent and that will cost 14 million Thames Water customers living from Swindon to Essex and all Londoners an extra £80 each year on top of current bills for life to pay for the project.

Unless it is stopped, this is going to take place in the heart of London on the edge of the River Thames.

Also try to imagine having a chest complaint such as asthma or bronchitis and then figure out how you’ll be affected by the amount of pollution that those same lorry journeys will pump into the air as they hold up the traffic in an area that already suffers from major traffic jams.

Oh yes, and Thames Water is owned by an Australian bank, Macquarie.

A consortium led by the Australian bank, Macquarie, bought Thames Water for £8billion in 2006 and if the Super Sewer goes ahead the regulatory capital value (RCV) of Thames Water will increase by at least 40 per cent. This will allow Thames Water executives to charge customers much higher bills in future and make a large profit on their borrowings.

• The River Thames can be made cleaner and London can fulfil its obligations to meet EU directives on water quality without building a hugely disruptive and expensive ‘Super Sewer’ proposed by Thames Water.
• This is one of the key conclusions from Lord Selborne’s Thames Tunnel Commission (TTC) which were made public in October 31 following months of detailed analysis.

Fears over spiralling water bills and residents’ protests over the loss of open space and regeneration sites prompted five London councils to sponsor a panel of internationally renowned experts, led by Lord Selborne. The TTC examined whether there are sensible alternatives to the Super Sewer, or Thames Tunnel, as it is also known.

Thames Water has been promoting its controversial multi-billion pound concrete tunnel as the best solution to cleaning up the river – a solution which will add an estimated £6-£12 per month to water bills of 14 million of its customers.

Following a series of public hearings, which considered oral and written evidence from Thames Water as well as a wide range of statutory bodies and interested parties, the TTC recommends that:

* The primary reasons for rejecting the recommendations for a shorter EU compliant tunnel that costs less than half the current super sewer estimate, should be revisited as a matter of urgency.

* Complimentary green infrastructure solutions that minimise the amount of fresh rainwater entering the sewerage system should be considered, particularly in light of new EU legislation on environmental sustainability.

* Defra, the Environment Agency and Thames Water should give very careful consideration to the other alternatives as proposed by Chris Binnie, Chairman of the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Group from 2000 to 2006, and Professor Colin Green, who is a national expert on water economics.

* Thames Water should examine the experience of other EU member states in complying with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and take note of the experience of world cities like Chicago and Milwaukee.

Hard-pressed utility customers

Lord Selborne says: “Our forensic analysis shows there is a substantial body of evidence pointing to the fact that there is a smarter way to make the River Thames cleaner. A shorter tunnel, combined with green infrastructure solutions that are built up incrementally in the medium to long term, would be both compliant with EU directives and less costly and disruptive to Londoners. These alternatives require further study.”

The TTC also echoes the views of hard-pressed utility customers in questioning the escalating cost of the sewer. In June 2011, Thames Water’s Chief Executive, Martin Baggs, admitted that the tunnel’s current estimated price of £3.6billion is based on 2008 figures that ‘will inevitably increase’. The admission came despite Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman demanding that ‘not a penny extra be spent’ on the Super Sewer.

“There are serious concerns about the escalating costs of the Thames Tunnel and the impact this will have on customers,” continues Lord Selborne. “Many bill-payers will be pushed into water poverty which is not acceptable when there are viable alternatives that should be explored further.”

From L to R: Nigel Henson, Sue Oriel, Ann Rosenberg and Hammersmith & Fulham Council deputy leader Nick Botterill at the meeting in October at which residents grilled Thames Water bosses about the potential massive construction work chaos

Thames Water customers from Essex to Swindon and all Londoners can expect to pay a minimum of an extra £65 per year for life on top of current bills, doubling the cost for sewerage, to pay for the super sewer.

Speaking to reporters last week, Professor Green said Thames Water stands to make a colossal £162million a year in additional revenue from its 20-mile long super sewer due to a ‘perverse incentive’ in the way the water industry is financed.

Chris Binnie, who worked for Thames Water to create the original sewer plans, presented evidence to the TTC arguing that the whole basis for the project was out of date and needed to be revisited.

The TTC is sponsored by the London Boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F), Richmond, Southwark and Tower Hamlets and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, says: “The Selborne Commission has done some sterling work in taking a cold, hard look at the facts. It is now clear from the commission’s detailed report that Thames Water has failed to make the case for the super sewer.

“Thames Water has a vested interest in pushing through this gold-plated scheme and this is why it has chosen to ignore the water industry experts who have repeatedly come forward to say there are alternatives. We now know that there is another way to improve the cleanliness of the river without the huge environmental, social and economic costs.”

It is time for Thames Water to go back to the drawing board

Cllr Greenhalgh says: “If we are not careful we will have a situation where 14 million Thames Water customers will pay a fortune on top of their current bills to fund the construction of a massive concrete tunnel which is driven by EU directives but ultimately designed to deliver profits for an Australian bank.

“Given the huge body of evidence now available against the Super Sewer it is time for Defra, backed by Ofwat and the Environment Agency, to compel Thames Water to go back to the drawing board.”

Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “As a riverside borough, we are absolutely committed to the aim of cleaning the Thames and preventing sewage leaks, but the Thames Tunnel plans appear unnecessarily disruptive and costly.

“We’re equally concerned that in the current economic climate, with the rising cost of living, the last thing that Londoners need is a scheme that will cost the equivalent of £70 for every single water bill-payer in the city.”

David Salusbury

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association (NLA), commented on the Government’s Autumn Statement:

“The Government has pledged to support small businesses and encourage new investment with its Autumn Statement, but has missed a key opportunity to promote investment in affordable housing to rent by failing to extend the policy of income-tax relief to include landlords ready to invest in new residential property.

“One in five landlords is looking to invest in new housing for rent in the next 12 months, providing much needed accommodation at this time of high demand. With the Government acknowledging in the recently released Housing Strategy that: ‘Demand for rental housing likely to continue to rise’, and with nearly fifty thousand households in England living in temporary accommodation, incentives to increase the stock of well-managed, rental accommodation are essential.”

National Landlords Association can be contacted at: www.landlords.org.uk

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist

“The Government desperately needs a positive strategy for growth and making infrastructure the centrepiece of the Autumn Statement is a good start. Upgrading Britain’s creaking infrastructure will deliver much needed work to members and the benefits will be felt throughout the economy. As well as helping UK business to compete globally, infrastructure development will also help boost housing supply by making large-scale investment more attractive to developers. However, these projects will only have an impact in the medium term. More immediate measures are needed to kickstart the economy now and there is a worrying lack of these in the Chancellor’s statement. A cut in VAT to five per cent on repair and maintenance would be a first step in stimulating demand in the short term.”

Private investment in infrastructure

“While the extra £5bn capital spending from savings in other departments is to be welcomed, it is clear that new infrastructure cannot be funded by the public purse or more borrowing. The Government has little room for manoeuvre and it has no other real option than to look to the private sector. Infrastructure potentially offers pension funds the long-term, low risk returns they require although finding the right vehicle for funds to invest will be essential. Government and investors will need to address the knowledge gap in institutional investors about infrastructure to ensure the right investment decisions are made.

“If there is to be a long-term shift to institutional investment in infrastructure and infrastructure-led development, the planning system needs to support this and recognize the needs of these investors as well as the national interest. The draft NPPF and recent Government Housing Strategy did not clearly address these issues in detail.

“RICS is establishing an Investment Infrastructure Task Force to devise new models and delivery vehicles for financing infrastructure and to recommend improvements to planning practice which encourages greater private sector infrastructure investment.

“Finally, government needs to ensure that new infrastructure projects drive a long-term increase in economic activity as well as delivering immediate benefits for jobs and local economies. RICS has previously highlighted these issues in its Vision For Cities project and will be developing ideas of how growth is delivered by infrastructure investment in 2012.”

For more information, go to the RICS website at: www.rics.org

Samantha Baden, property analyst at FindaProperty.com

www.findaproperty.com:

Samantha Baden, property analyst at FindaProperty.com commented: “George Osborne’s statement today was good news for homeowners and the property market in general. The mortgage indemnity scheme will bring welcome relief to 100,000 people and help first time buyers get a foot on to the property ladder, as will the 50 per cent discount for social tenants wanting to buy their own home.

However, all homeowners should benefit from the announcement that £30 billion will be invested in new infrastructure projects. New transport and utility projects will open up areas for housing and jobs and bring new areas of the UK within commuting distance of major urban centres. While some people will resist this change, for the country as a whole, good infrastructure is the seed for jobs, economic growth and the housing market – all of which is good news for homeowners and those aspiring to get onto the property ladder.”

For more information, go on-line at www.findaproperty.com

In the UK, HM Revenue & Customs publishes a booklet on residency (HMRC 6, previously IR20) but it is only guidance and not law, and it has been famously challenged by some taxpayers and so far HMRC have won (mostly)

Expatriates are used to counting days to establish their tax residency. Many countries including the UK have the ‘183 days a year rule’, while the UK also has the ‘90 days a year over four years’ rule. It is not always as simple as day counting, however, and many countries also stipulate other situations which would make you liable for tax in that country.

Next year the UK intends to introduce a statutory definition of tax residence. The consultation document says that the government considered but rejected a test based solely on the number of days spent in the UK because “it believes that where someone is resident is more than just a question of where they spend their time”.

Its proposed tests therefore seek to prevent someone becoming non-resident simply by reducing the number of days to below a set level and impose a requirement to reduce their other connections with the UK. The rules are far clearer and will provide more certainty BUT they are still complex and confusing to the non-tax specialist. So while they are no longer subjective and vague, the new rules remain complex.

• The number of nights which you can spend in the UK refers to the number in a UK tax year ending midnight 5^th April.

There are separate rules for Leavers, Arrivers and those working full time abroad, so it will be important to follow the rules for your situation.

There are five newly defined connecting factors which are: family in UK (spouses/civil partners and children under 18); UK accommodation; substantive employment in the UK; UK presence in previous years and more time in the UK than another single country.

Are you a Leaver or an Arriver?

Under the Leaver rules, British expatriates who spend less than 10 nights a year in the UK will never be considered UK resident even if they have connecting factors. At the other end of the scale, anyone who spends over 182 nights a year in the UK, or whose only home is in the UK, will always be classed as UK tax resident regardless of how few other connecting factors he/she has (subject only to be overridden by any appropriate double tax treaty).

Otherwise whether or not you are UK tax resident will depend on the number of nights you spend there and the number of connecting factors you have.

Here are some examples under the new rules (the number of days is per UK tax year):

• David and Sarah have sold their London home, are no longer working and will move to Andalucia in Spain where they will live permanently other than visits to the UK. Their adult children remain in the UK. They have one connecting factor (over 90 days in UK in previous two years). They can spend up to 119 nights in the UK provided they are in hotels, not staying regularly elsewhere, without being UK tax resident. This would commence from 6^th April after they have left the UK.
• John and Anne have been living permanently in their property in Bergerac, France for 10 years and shook off UK tax residency. They are both retired. They kept a flat in Manchester because Anne likes to visit her adult children and grandchildren regularly spending over 90 days there each year. They have two connecting factors (UK accommodation and over 90 days) but unlike David and Sarah are classed as Arrivers, not Leavers. They can spend up to 119 nights in the UK without being classed as UK tax resident (had they been ‘Leavers’ it would have been limited to 89 nights).

There is a special rule for people who go to work full time overseas, leaving behind their families in the UK. They will be deemed to be non-resident as long as they spend less than 89 nights in the UK and work in the UK for less than 20 days (defined as less than three hours work in a day: a difficult one to prove/disprove).

• Andrew has been living and working in the Algarve for 15 years where he owns a property. During this time he did not keep any property in the UK and only visited briefly. He will now start to carry out consultancy work in the UK for one week each month and has signed a long-term lease on a flat so he has somewhere to stay. He falls under the Arriver rules and can spend up to 119 days before being liable to UK tax on his worldwide income. He might be liable to UK income tax on the consultancy work undertaken in the UK.
• George is a retired divorcee who owns property available for his use around the world, including London. He spends time in all these countries as well as sailing around the Caribbean. However, he spends more time in England than any other single country and has young children who live with their mother in the UK. He has three connecting factors (UK accommodation; family in UK; more time in UK than any other country) and as a Leaver will be UK tax resident if he spends more than 44 nights there.

The above examples are simplified and you will need to understand exactly how each of the connecting factors work and the number of days you can then spend in the UK to establish your specific situation.

Remember that you will also need to take your local residency rules into account. It is important to seek advice on your personal situation from a firm experienced with international tax residency issues such as Blevins Franks.

Contact details: Article written by Blevins Franks.

To contact Blevins Franks for additional information go to: www.blevinsfranks.com or call them on 0044 (0)20 7336 1116 or email taxadvisoryservices@blevinsfranks.com