3 minute read
Book corner
The BV magazine, November ‘22 BOOK CORNER
This month Wayne recommends two books that would be perfect for Christmas for enquiring young minds
Unstoppable Us
How Humans Took over the World (£20, age 7+) From the author of the multimillion bestselling Sapiens comes an enthralling new story of the human race, for younger readers. We humans aren’t strong like lions, we don’t swim as well as dolphins – and we definitely don’t have wings! So how did we end up ruling the world? The answer to that is one of the strangest tales you’ll ever hear. And it’s true. So get ready for the most amazing story there ever was - the incredible true tale of the Unstoppables. Find out how fire shrank our stomachs, how our ancestors spoke to animals, what football can tell us about being human, how we used our superpower for good and bad ... With full-colour illustrations showing the relentless rise and rise of the human race, this is history like you’ve never experienced it before.
The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions
(£13, age 6+) Why are bubbles always round? Could I ever touch a rainbow? Why can’t I remember being a baby? How many stars are in the night sky? Why don’t animals wear clothes? Do plants have feelings? Have you ever not been able to concentrate because there are SO many questions buzzing round your brain? The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions will offer answers to the most bamboozling questions and curious queries that you can think of. With engaging and accessible text and accompanied by exciting, inviting illustrations, The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions is the perfect bedside companion to delve into when you are wondering if there really is an answer to everything.
Stamp Duty Land Tax changes
In the mini budget announced by the Chancellor in September some changes were made to the thresholds at which Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) becomes payable. These changes now affect all residential purchases. The first change is increasing the price from which SDLT becomes payable, from £125,000 to £250,000. This means that for all property purchases of less than £250,000 there is now no SDLT to pay at all.
The new Stamp Duty Land Tax rates are:
For someone buying a residential property at £450,000, for example, this means that they will now pay £10,000 in SDLT instead of £12,500. The rates and rules remain different for first-time buyers, companies, overseas buyers and people buying a second or subsequent property, but they will benefit from the changes too.
First-time buyers
For first-time buyers, the news is even better, as no SDLT is payable where the purchase price is up to £425,000 – previously this was only the case up to £300,000. First-time buyers can also now claim First Time Buyer Relief on all purchases of a main residence up to a maximum purchase price of £625,000 (this is up from £500,000). For example, under the old rules a first-time buyer paying £450,000 for their home would pay £7,500 in SDLT; this is now reduced to £1,250.
Higher rate transactions
For individuals buying a second home or buy-tolet property, the new rates are: A two per cent SDLT surcharge for overseas buyers purchasing residential property in England and Northern Ireland was introduced in 2021. The surcharge applies to non-resident buyers regardless of the type of buyer (e.g. company or individual) subject to a few exceptions. Where applicable, the surcharge is levied in addition to the three per cent buy-to-let/second homes charge mentioned above, the flat 15 per cent SDLT rate on purchases of dwellings worth more than £500,000 by companies acting as ‘envelopes’ and the existing SDLT rates for home buyers. Unfortunately, the Chancellor did not take the opportunity to simplify the SDLT rules and reliefs, and so this remains a very complex area of taxation!
