A Berrylands Based Building Company

We're an in house team of local builders based in Berrylands specialising in all aspects of building including extensions and refurbishments. We have a portfolio of projects stretching across our 10 years of trading. From Landscaping to Luxury Bathroom installations, our team of local trades is here to assist with any project you have planned for 2023

If you earn more, you’ll be better off. It sounds simple but the reality can be more complicated. Some myths about the effects of taxes on higher income are simply down to confusion. In rare cases though, the benefits of a pay rise may be less than they might seem.

On the face of it, moving from paying 20% basic rate tax to 40% higher rate tax sounds painfully expensive. However, the UK tax system uses marginal tax rates. This means you only pay a particular rate on the portion of your income that falls into the relevant band.

A practical example

Using the tax bands and rates for 2023-4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (The bands and rates in Scotland vary slightly but the principles are the same.)

Imagine you earn £50,270, which is the top end of the basic rate band. You pay no income tax on the first £12,570 as this is covered by the personal allowance. You then pay the basic rate of 20% on the remaining money (£37,700), meaning £7,540 in income tax.

If you then get a pay rise of £1,000, you’ll move into the 40% ‘higher rate’ band. However, only this extra £1,000 is taxed at 40%. That means your total income tax rises by £400 to £7,940. However much you earn, what really matters is your ‘effective marginal tax rate’. Simply put, that’s how much of each extra pound you earn goes to taxes and other costs. For example, an employee earning £30,000 could have an effective marginal tax rate of 32%, made up of 20% income tax and 12% National Insurance.

Student loans

Sometimes the effective marginal tax rate may be higher than you expect. For example, graduates who started university in 2012 or later don’t face that extreme effect but they do have a higher effective marginal tax rate than nongraduates. Any income you have over £27,295 is taxed at an extra 9% towards your loan repayments. Add in income tax and NI and you have an effective marginal tax rate of 41%. If you get into the higher rate band, this rises to over 50%.

Higher rates

There’s also a potential shock for anyone (graduate or not) whose income rises over £100,000. On paper you’ll still be paying the 40% rate because the 45% ‘additional rate’ doesn’t start until you earn £125,140. However, for every £2 you earn over £100,000, the personal allowance is reduced by £1.

For every extra £2 you earn, your taxable income goes up by £3. It’s charged at the 40% rate, meaning £1.20 extra income tax. Put it all together and the effective marginal tax rate is 60%. Many people joining the six -figure club will take expert advice on options such as increasing pension contributions that may reduce tax liabilities.

Take out travel insurance

Although not a legal requirement, travel insurance could save you from forking out for sky-high medical bills, flight cancellations, lost luggage, stolen possessions and more. With treatment for a broken leg in Spain costing around £15,000, it’s a no-brainer for medical precautions alone.

Create a portable medical history

Having your medical history to hand could be a lifesaver. Communication can be difficult – especially when you factor in stress and a potential language barrier. A self-created printed form is key to getting the best care without guesswork, and should include details of any recent surgeries, vaccinations, medications and allergies.

Bring important documents

A copy of your passport, driver’s licence or another form of identification could save you from scrambling to find proper documentation if you lose your passport and need to get home. You should also pack your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

Share your travel itinerary

Make sure someone at home knows where you will be. This is especially important if you’re travelling alone, but could also be useful if you’re planning on exploring more remote areas or engaging in any potentially risky activities.

Bring the basics

When it comes to travelling, comfort is key. While you can’t pack for every potential eventuality, you can come prepared with the essentials. Even a small first-aid kit and painkillers could save the hassle of finding a chemist.

Our bodies are home to over 60,000 miles of blood vessels that, along with the heart, make up the circulatory system. Its network of roadways carries blood to every corner of your body. However, when your circulation or vein health is poor, blood flow can be slowed or blocked.

There’s plenty you can do to combat circulation problems or prevent any existing vein issues from getting worse.

Stay active

By going for a walk on your lunch break or taking short breaks throughout the day, you can keep your blood flowing.

Wear compression stockings

If you’re susceptible to vein issues, whether that’s through genetics, pregnancy or lifestyle, you should wear compression stockings. They work by applying pressure to the calves, contracting muscles around the veins to help blood move back up towards the heart.

Elevate your legs

Elevate your legs

Elevating your legs above your heart for ten to fifteen minutes each day can help ease any aching or heaviness in the legs. By reducing the pull of gravity, the excess blood drains out of your lower legs and moves towards your heart.

Talk to your doctor about treatment

In most cases, varicose veins are not a serious condition so don’t usually require treatment. However, if your varicose veins are causing pain, discomfort, or are leading to other complications or health issues, your doctor can recommend a number of treatment options.

serious condition so don’t usually require number of treatment options.

Travelling abroad with man’s best friend is not without its complications, but with a little research and forward planning you can make it stress-free and an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog!

Travelling abroad to EU countries and Northern Ireland with your pet dog changed on 1 January 2021, so what you need to do before, during and after your journey will depend on what country you are going to. Then, there’s difference guidance for taking your pet to a non-EU country. What do you need to travel with your dog to and from GB to the EU?

• A microchip.

• Proof of a current rabies vaccination (administered after a microchip was implanted to enter France). Your pet must be at least twelve weeks old before they can be vaccinated.

• Tapeworm treatment (if needed).

• An animal health certificate (AHC), which needs to be issued within ten days of the date you are set to travel, or a valid pet passport that’s accepted in the country you’re travelling to.

Arriving in an EU country or Northern Ireland

When you arrive in the EU you will need to visit a Travellers’ Point of Entry and show official proof of your pet’s AHC, microchip, vaccinations and tapeworm treatment (if required) before being allowed to travel further.

Before you hit the road

Check out your route before you travel, as you must travel using approved routes. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travellingto-an-eu-country-or-northern-ireland.

Further information

It’s advisable, too, to check the area you are travelling to beforehand, to see whether there is a risk that your pet will be exposed to hotter or colder climates, or diseases that we don’t have here in the UK.

Flying with your four-legged friend

The number of airlines that allow pets to travel in-cabin has increased in recent years, but this still mainly applies only to pets that weigh less than 8kg. If allowed in the cabin, they will count as one of your pieces of carry-on luggage and usually only one pet is allowed per passenger. You may also need to invest in an airlineapproved carrier, which will need to be placed under your seat and your dog will usually have to remain in the bag for the duration of the flight. It’s more spacious for pets to travel in the cargo hold, in a rigid and safely strappeddown spacious travel kennel. The cargo hold environment is strictly controlled, pressurised and air-conditioned, is quiet and the lights are dimmed for the duration of the flight.

A staggering four million domestic pets fly every year throughout the world and there are strict welfare regulations governing international pet travel. However, know your dog – some just aren’t made for travelling long distances, no matter how well-prepared you are. If you are having second thoughts, find a recommended dog sitter, friend or family member that you are your dog are comfortable with to take care of your pet.

• If you’re travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland, contact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline on 0370 241 1710 or email pettravel@apha.gov.uk if you need more information about pet travel.

• Contact APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) on 03000 200 301 or email exports@apha. gov.uk if you need more information about pet travel to a non-EU country.

Walking your dog is a daily commitment, and whether you need occasional help or someone to take over most days while you are at work, you’ll need to find a professional dog-walker. Here are some things to consider to ensure your furry friend’s safety and well-being.

• Ask the dog walker about their experience with different breeds, behaviour issues and emergency situations. Look for someone who has experience with dogs similar to yours.

• What other pets are they looking after? What’s the maximum number of dogs they will be walking at the same time?

• Has your walker taken training or certification courses in pet first aid and dog walking?

• Ask for references from previous clients and call them to get feedback on the dog walker’s reliability, professionalism and how well they handled their pet.