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Buying sustainably costs 87 percent more than traditional shopping

By
Roger Bishop
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alt=Young male shop assistant with laptop serving an attractive woman in a zero waste shop.

The Sustainable Living Calculator analyses the costs of 20 everyday household items including apples, pasta, shampoo and toilet roll.

To buy every item on the list in the ‘greenest’ possible way would cost a family of four £5,915 over a year.

But the equivalent shop, based on non-organic items, or cheaper plastic-wrapped goods than fresh alternatives, would cost the same family just £3,151.

This makes green shopping 87 per cent more expensive – or almost £2,000 – over the course of the year.

A bag of standard carrots costs an average of 75p from Tesco, with their organic equivalent adding nearly a fifth of the price, up to 95p. 

Similarly, a pack of supermarket-own brand bacon normally costs just £1.95 – with rurally-raised bacon from online retailer ‘Perfick Pork’ selling for as much as £4.99.

The Sustainable Living Calculator, developed by money.co.uk, also looked at other expenses such as energy and holidays.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said: “There are certainly more pros than cons when buying green.

“As with all things you should always budget for your outgoings and on occasion you might be spending a little more money to be more sustainable, but the overall impact you can have by making small changes is surely worth it. 

“By avoiding products wrapped in plastic, eating seasonally, and avoiding items or travel that has a large carbon footprint, consumers can really have a positive impact on our planet’s future.” 

Separate research by money.co.uk revealed 43 per cent of adults are happy to spend more on eco-friendly choices if it lessens their impact on the environment. 

Thirty per cent try to buy local produce, and four in 10 do their best to avoid plastic packaging where they can. 

And more than six in 10 of the population now use a reusable cup whenever they buy a coffee from a café. 

But four in 10 would make more of an effort to be eco-friendly if it didn’t end up costing them more.

However, 42 per cent admitted they worry about the impact their current personal shopping choices have on the environment.

More than half of Brits think it is important that their energy is from a renewable source.

But just 26 per cent said they’d opt for a renewable energy supplier if it cost more.

Matthew Agarwala, environmental economist at the Bennett Institute of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge who helped develop the calculator, said: “I have a lot of sympathy for consumers who want to do the right thing but just don’t know how their shopping choices affect the environment.

“That’s why tools like these can be so useful when they are backed by sound scientific evidence.

“Sometimes what looks like a quick and easy bargain today often comes at someone else’s expense because it imposes much bigger costs – environmental, social, health – on others.

“For instance, ‘cheap food’ is a myth. Whether it’s the consumer, the planet, or the farmer, someone always pays. 

“But there’s loads of reasons to be optimistic. It is so encouraging to see Britons taking the environment seriously.

“From school strikes, to a climate change leader’s debate, to the Attenborough effect, the British people are tuned in and engaged.

“Tools like this can help us make better day to day choices, and together we can demand the kinds of policies that make going green easier and more affordable.” 

The new Sustainable Living Calculator can be found at: https://www.money.co.uk/content/sustainable-living

THE COST OF GROCERIES – ‘GREEN’ vs ‘NON-GREEN – PRICED FROM TESCO.COM AND OTHER RETAILERS

ITEM                                         ‘NON GREEN’ COST ‘GREEN COST’

Bread                                         £1.05                         £1.50

Cereal                                        £1.39                        £3.42

Rice                                            £1.80                         £2.97

Pasta                                          £1.26                         £2.30

Chocolate                                   £1.50                         £2.57

Apples                                         £1.75                         £2.35

Bananas                                      £1.50                         £1.10

Oranges                                      £1.50                         £2.43

Carrots *1kg                                £0.75                         £0.95

Onions *1kg                                £0.95                         £1.65

Peppers (3 pack)                         £1.20                         £3.00

Bacon                                          £1.95                         £4.99

Chicken *2kg                              £3.70                         £7.46

Beef *1kg                                    £5.95                         £11.23

Sausages *6 Pack                      £2.00                         £3.00

Eggs *6 pack                              £1.00                         £1.80

Milk *1 Pint Semi Skimmed        £0.50                         £0.95

Cheese                                       £2.25                         £3.70

Coffee *200G                              £2.14                         £3.85

Yogurt                                         £0.90                         £1.50

Sanitary Products                       £1.90                         £3.49

Shampoo                                    £3.30                         £8.00

Soap                                           £0.80                         £4.95

Deodorant                                   £1.80                         £9.95

Butter                                          £1.50                         £2.00

Olive oil                                       £3.00                         £3.25

Multi-surface cleaner                   £2.50                         £2.20

Fish                                             £2.80                         £3.50

Toilet Roll *9 roll                           £3.35                         £4.99

Ice Cream                                   £2.00                         £3.89

The best advice for starting a franchise in an unknown environment.

By
Roger Bishop
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alt = Marketing branding retail franchise License. strategy concept. Franchise

Say the word ‘franchise’ and all manner of responses spring to mind. For many, the term ‘business in a box’ has become synonymous with franchising. This stems from the idea that a franchise model offers would-be entrepreneurs the opportunity to follow a fail-safe business plan that is bound to guarantee success.

Unfortunately, this approach isn’t as cut and dried as it sounds. Whilst it’s entirely possible to successfully start and operate a franchise in a sector you are completely unfamiliar with, there’s no alternative to good old-fashioned hard work and determination. So, as long as you bring the will and dedication, any quality franchisor can support you in running a franchise even if you lack experience of the sector.

David Mathie, UK General manager at Just Cuts, is here to offer his three top tips for franchisees looking to start a new venture in virtually unknown territory.

1. Do your research

Any astute entrepreneur will understand the basic principle of supply and demand. If there’s a need for a particular service or product in your area, then it stands to reason someone should fulfil that demand. That someone could be – should be – you.

Establishing the long-term scope for growth of a franchise is a fundamental component of any business plan. The service or product you’re investing in needs to fulfil a need that is going to stand the test of time, not just a solution to a short-term problem. A great example of this is the rather unpredictable British weather. Investing in an air-conditioning business is bound to see you make a killing during a two-week long heatwave in August, but is there still money to be made during the other 50 weeks of the year? Probably not unless there is a wider range of heating and cooling products in the mix.

There’s always a certain level of risk involved when starting any sort of business but, by doing your research, you’re determining the long-term demand of your service and whether the risk of going into something completely new is viable.

2. Find the perfect franchise fit

Now you’ve established the need, you can find the perfect franchisor to support you in your endeavour. And the right guidance is paramount. Unless you’re extremely experienced or knowledgeable in that field, before long you could find yourself up the proverbial creek, without a paddle.

This is where the support from a franchisor comes in – what you don’t know, they will teach you. This is true for all franchisors but the key to success is finding the franchisor who does more than handing you a toolkit and sending you on your merry way. Opt for a brand that continuously refreshes and updates their training programmes or goes above and beyond to equip their franchisees with everything needed to succeed.

At Just Cuts, we put a great deal of emphasis on setting our franchisees up with all the tools for success. We equip them with an online dashboard, which allows them to check in on their salon from wherever they are – they can even message stylists or check inventory. This essentially allows them to work from wherever they are and, because most employ a salon manager to handle operations, many of our Franchise Owners have never even worked in the hairdressing sector before.

3. Keep your eye on the ball

They say that nothing worth having comes easy and that is so true in the case of franchising. To build a strong, profitable and scalable business, you must be willing to work hard. If you didn’t know anything about the sector before you entered it, then this is the time to roll your sleeves up and learn.

In theory, if you are following the model and processes of your franchise correctly, you stand a great chance of developing an exceptional business. But don’t become complacent by solely relying on the guidance from your franchisor. Use your initiative, keep an eye on the numbers and implement innovative strategies where needed.

Our Franchise Owners can really vouch for the liberating opportunities that come hand in hand with taking a leap of faith and trying something completely new. Following these steps will guarantee you’ve made the right decision, whether you choose to opt for a new challenge in franchising, or two new challenges in franchising and a completely new sector.

For more information about franchise opportunities with Just Cuts, visit www.justcuts.co.uk

Will most household chores become automated by 2040?

By
Roger Bishop
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A new report predicts 90 per cent of common household tasks – including dusting, doing the laundry and cleaning dishes – will be taken out of human hands in the next two decades.

Some tasks will become the work of robots, like changing bedsheets, or smart drones that can water plants.

The study, written by leading futurists and academics including King’s College Professor Mischa Dohler and futurist Dr Ian Pearson, demonstrates the time and cost benefits of automation.

Known as the ‘Life More Automated Report’, the document published by comparethemarket.com details how some jobs have already become part-automated through inventions like timed washing machines and dishwashers.

And research suggests when these jobs finally become completely hands-free, people will save almost two hours a day – more than 15 hours a week or the equivalent of more than 33 days a year.

Kristin Sonfield, expert in automation at comparethemarket.com, said: “Automation has changed our lives for the better in so many ways, and soon some household tasks will be totally obsolete.

“The list of chores to do on a day-to-day basis can seem endless and little things like changing energy supplier or searching for car insurance can often be the worst.  

“Our automated services can help people automate life admin to save time and money, while our Simples Lab gives people tips on automation to make everyday life simpler.”

Among the innovations which will hit stores around the world within the next 10 to 20 years are house robots.

They will be sophisticated enough to fold the laundry and will move furniture in seconds due to it being around 15 times stronger than the average human.

Multi-function drones will be commonplace in the 2030s, almost insect-sized and priced around £1 each.

Some will walk, some will fly and some will be used for dusting, picking up specks of dirt and cleaning surfaces, with variations also able to water plants and monitor security around the home.

Others will shine an infrared beam at a room’s occupant to warm them as they move around the house.

AI butlers will be the norm by then – extremely advanced versions of Siri or Alexa that take control of all routine life admin like paying bills, managing subscriptions, doing your shopping.

Reverse microwaves will cool things down in seconds rather than heat food and drink quickly, while self-plumping pillows will automate the process of plumping your pillow to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Washing balls will be tennis-ball sized ultrasonic panelled devices that use ultrasound to clean, and when placed inside a pile or bucket of clothing will clean clothes without the need for a bulky washing machine.

Super smart fridges will learn what you eat and reorder when stocks are low and even recommend recipes based on the contents and expiry dates of the fridge’s contents.

While virtual chefs will render recipe books and video tutorials a thing of the past within 20 years as they appear as holograms on the worktop to help us cook every step of the way.

The report comes after research of 1,000 British homeowners or renters found automation couldn’t come soon enough when it comes to cleaning the toilet, which was the named as the worst chore (34 per cent).

This was followed by ironing (27 per cent), changing the bedsheets (24 per cent), dusting and cleaning surfaces (23 per cent) and washing dishes (20 per cent).

Brits were also asked which inventions they’d most like to see in their future homes, with 26 per cent selecting ‘house robots’.

Another quarter want to see drones patrolling their household sorting out spot cleaning, and a tenth are intrigued by ‘washing balls’, which clean laundry by ultrasound.

Academic Mischa Dohler, who worked on the report, said: “Automation is already so commonplace in today’s households – from washing machines to dishwashers – that we don’t even really think of it as automation.

“But the Life More Automated Report examines how automation is the key to an easy home life as it’s gradually helping us do less of the tasks we find more tedious, from sorting bills to washing dishes.”

THE TOP 10 WORST HOUSEHOLD CHORES:

1. Cleaning the toilet (34 per cent)

2. Ironing (27 per cent)

3. Changing bedsheets (24 per cent)

4. Dusting and cleaning surfaces (23 per cent)

5. Washing dishes (20 per cent)

6. Vacuuming (15 per cent)

7. Cleaning windows (15 per cent)

8. Taking out the rubbish (13 per cent)

9. Paying bills (13 per cent)

10. Cleaning the fridge (13 per cent)

The latest news on the trend sweeping the legal industry

By
Roger Bishop
-

As you know, 2019 saw a momentous shift in direction from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Just over ten years since the Legal Services Act 2007 came into force, the regulatory body decided the industry was finally ready for real change. Since November 25th of last year, Solicitors have been able to practice on non-reserved matters within an unregulated law firm using the title “Solicitor”. The regulations have now even set a path for SRA regulated practices to deregulate.

In our opinion, it’s a giant leap in the right direction – but then, we would say that.

When we set up our firm in 2014, we chose to deliver legal services to businesses and private clients on an unregulated basis using an innovative corporate structure, and state of the art technology to support a low-overhead model. In doing so, we were able to bring to market a truly competitive offer: high quality legal advice and services, yes using Solicitors and Barristers as “consultant lawyers”, at realistic rates.

Amongst a sea of traditional firms battling for the title as the most prestigious, we dared to demystify the profession by providing clients with what they really wanted: affordability, reliability and transparency. Our consultant lawyers weren’t and still aren’t any different to those you would work with when contracting a high-profile City firm. In fact, many of our lawyers have come from magic circle firms themselves after discovering the benefits of working outside of the restrictive, traditional model.

Of course, back then, we weren’t legally allowed to call our lawyers ‘solicitors’ or ‘barristers’. Those terms were protected at law. In order to avoid breaching legislation, we hired ‘consultant lawyers’ – Solicitors and Barristers with at least five years post-qualification experience – to work for our forward-thinking firm.

Then, in 2017, we became the first legal practice to offer both unregulated and regulated services under the same group with the addition of our ABS practice, 360 Law Services.

Naturally, we welcomed the seismic shift within the SRA’s rule-change; we celebrated the introduction of the new regulation as a win for the legal profession. As clients increasingly push for cost-effective services, firms are now under pressure to rethink their delivery mechanisms – a pressing issue the SRA has clearly recognised and reflected in their recent update.

As predicted, providing unregulated services has become the latest industry trends. Everywhere you look, big-name players of the sector are branding themselves innovators, stating their intention to overhaul their entire ethos and become unregulated.

That’s all well and good – in theory. In reality, it’s practically impossible for a law firm operating on the traditional structure to offer the benefits that should come with working with an unregulated practice.

Why?

It’s simple: they’re still held back by the ball and chain that is their high-overhead model.

As a virtual firm who isn’t bound by bricks and mortar office blocks and legions of admin staff, we truly can offer competitive rates. But a City firm whose business has operated on the same foundations of fancy offices, linear career paths and traditional fee structures is simply not in a position to reduce their hourly rates – that is, unless they are prepared to physically remove the overheads that drive their operating costs up.

Despite mounting pressure to adapt and evolve in line with client demands, firms must continue to pay well or their talent will leave. As such, they are left with little budget to invest in cutting-edge technology and innovation. And, since partners continue to be remunerated handsomely, the appetite for real innovation is low.

During a recent panel discussion hosted by The Lawyer, a collection of law firm leaders gathered to discuss the future of the legal profession. The key takeaway? Traditional models are outdated and long in need of overhaul.

During the roundtable, one lawyer admitted that their firm’s model and fee structures had effectively remained unchanged for the last twenty years, adding that there was no urgency to evolve because the market is still so large and they were still making so much money – something the partner called a “barrier to change”.

Another delegate suggested that in 20 years from now, there will be firms using more technology to provide a cost-effective service while the 10 per cent of people making vast amounts of money will have disappeared.

These sentiments echo the point we have been making since we started our business all those years ago. We aren’t saying that firms claiming to be moving towards an unregulated model don’t have the right idea – we’re simply questioning their motive. If they aren’t actually able to reduce fees for clients, what is the point in offering services on an unregulated basis in the first place?

(Funnily enough, no firm who has jumped on the ‘unregulated’ bandwagon has given their motive for doing so.)

In our opinion, slapping an ‘unregulated’ sticker on your business doesn’t automatically make it more “client-centric” and “forward thinking”.

If your clients will still be paying for the ivory towers that these firms sit in; if their bills will still account for the crystal champagne glasses on the unfathomably expensive boardroom tables, the luxurious armchairs in offices that go unused and the numerous golf days that are part and parcel of law firm culture; if you aren’t willing to change – not just in name but in how you operate – going “unregulated” is nothing but a meaningless rebrand.

In this case, you may as well stick a stock photo of a coloured umbrella amongst a crowd of black brollies on your site and add a tagline that states: “we’re different.” It’s great that you recognise the needs of the modern client – it’s just a shame you aren’t doing anything to meet them.

Unregulated services may be the latest trend that law firms adopt as a means of signalling their commitment to innovation, but once again, an inability to truly adapt in line with client demands makes this just another case of smoke and mirrors.

To find out more about the benefits of working with a virtual firm on either a regulated or unregulated basis, get in touch with our team and let us know your requirements. We have made a difference and with us you simply get great Solicitors, Barristers and overseas Attorneys at low prices, not because our layers are less qualified, but simply because our overhead is low.

A comprehensive guide to transferring money during coronavirus

By
Roger Bishop
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UK-based FinTech company Paysend has today published a guide for expats and foreign workers whose money transfers home to friends and family may be affected by the current coronavirus crisis.

Closed workspaces, travel bans and entire towns and countries on lockdown have caused significant disturbance to many users of traditional money transfer platforms. High-street banks, remittance outlets and post offices are no longer the most effective ways of sending money abroad, and so regular users of these establishments for sending money must look elsewhere to ensure that money is sent to affected countries, where it may be used for essential items including food, clothes and medicines.

“We want to help creating a better-connected world where the movement of money across borders is seamless,” Abdul Abdulkerimov, Founder and President of Paysend said. “We want to give all users sufficient guidance and information to ensure that money can continue to arrive where it’s needed most. In times of crisis it’s important that we do all we can to help alleviate any problems that have arisen. In a situation like this many people may have to start using digital services and we want to help them in the transition to a safer, cheaper and faster money transfer service.”

Paysend has already started offering zero-fee money transfers to China, and is planning for more supportive initiatives to countries most affected by virus in the coming days.

To access Paysend’s guide to sending money during the coronavirus crisis follow the link:

https://paysend.com/en/blog/article-guide-to-sending-money-during-the-coronavirus-crisis#top

Notes to editors

About Paysend

Paysend is a global Fintech company born in 2017, based in UK. Servicing more than 1.5 Million customers in over 80 countries and multiple currencies, Paysend enables fast cross-border as well as local payments in a way which is simple and smart. For full T’s & C’s please follow this link.

Paysend has its own global network of banks, international and local payment systems and is partnering with the major international card networks: Visa, Mastercard and China Union Pay as a principal member and certified processor.

Paysend is money for the future.

Will there be a helping hand for British Retail?

By
Roger Bishop
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The tide may be turning on British retail this week, as the ‘Save Our Shops’ campaign has laid out concrete plans for strengthening small-scale British business.

The campaign follows the lessening influence of British retail and a concordant loss of jobs, with Retail Gazette asserting that, “Over 140,000 jobs” were lost over 2019. Activists around the country have previously focused on grassroots efforts to raise awareness of the issue, but this week’s events mark a change in strategy from high-street activism to governmental reform.

Speaking about his Change.org manifesto for change, Save Our Shops spokesman Stephen Linden-Wyatt said, “For the past decade the government has been busy with austerity measures, followed by the Brexit saga and now the Coronavirus epidemic. With all this happening, they have taken their eye off the problems that are killing our shops up and down the length of Great Britain.

“It’s estimated that over 100,000 jobs were lost in the retail sector last year and this year isn’t looking any better. The government needs to tackle the business rate shambles and reduce retail business rates by up to 90% for most retail shops. It also needs to introduce new laws to empower local councils to compulsory purchase all in-town parking and allow free 4 hour car parking for shoppers.”

Linden-Wyatt has also called for tighter monitoring and regulation of home delivery, drawing attention to the high rate of drivers on controversial zero-rate contracts and the encroaching influence of what has been termed the ‘gig economy’ of transient, often unstable work.

While the Save Our Shops Change.org petition is gathering steam, the organisation hasn’t given up on activism directed at shoppers, using its website www.saveourshops.uk to offer practical advice and distribute forms that members can use to collect signatures from workmates, friends and family.

Whatever the future of British retail, it’s certain to be shaped by the success or failure of Save Our Shops’ new manifesto, and it’s expected that this issue will only gain prominence as the campaign uses its concrete suggestions to gather steam in public discourse.

How to stop your commute ruining your suit

By
Roger Bishop
-

Back in 2016, the Office for National Statistics revealed that 3.7 million workers travelled for two hours or more every weekday as part of their commute. This may involve walking, driving, cycling, taking public transport, or a combination of a few. On top of this, many men choose to wear a formal suit to the office to look smart — not ideal attire for a lengthy travel time! Read on as we look at some smart solutions to avoid damage to your tailoring.

A suit perfect for the commute

The suit that you wear to work shouldn’t be the same one that you wear to a wedding. Look out for the signs of a suit that are suitable for your commute:

  • Added elastane — this increases the flexibility of the suit and allows it to ‘bounce’ back to its shape after repeated wear and folding.
  • Elastic waistband — an elastic waistband gives you comfort during your commute, fitting to your skin.
  • Choose a lightweight wool that’s not going to cause you to overheat when you’re rushing to and from work.

Protect your suit

The journey to work can cause damage to your threads in a few ways, depending on how you travel.

From creasing

If you walk or cycle to the office, it’s likely that you’ll work up quite a sweat. Not only can this be damaging to the material of your shirt and jacket, it’s also likely to smell later in the day. Getting caught in the rain can also have negative effects on your suit as often it doesn’t have a chance to dry out fully throughout the day. Instead, consider commuting in workout clothes and freshening up when you get to work.

One great investment to make would be buying a suit that is crease-resistant — this way you can fold it up in a backpack and it will be good to wear when you arrive at the office. CT Shirts offer a range of ‘performance suits’ that are made with merino wool (a material with natural crease recovery). Their suits also have 2% added elastane which results in a crease-resistant cloth. This suit would also be suitable for public transport commuters. Sitting in the same position on a bus, tube, or in a car can cause your suit to become creased — not a great look for meetings throughout the day!

From the weather

Bad weather conditions can be harmful to your ensemble. During the winter seasons, road salt can be damaging to your shoes and the slush and snow can have long lasting effects if your shoes aren’t dried out properly.

Fortunately, there are some preventative measures that you can take. Purchase a shoe spray which can ‘prevent and seal’ the material and decrease weather damage. One way to do this is with beeswax — this creates a thin protective layer over the material of the footwear.

For your suede shoes, invest in some hydrophobic suede protector. If you find a good spray, this can cover your shoes with a waterproof layer as the spray repels water.

From dirt

You may find that spending time on public transport can cause dirt from seats to cling to your clothing. You should brush your shirts and suit jacket down every day to prevent this dirt from becoming embedded in the suit and harder to remove in the future.

Try to avoid dry cleaning your suit too often. Instead, for stains that are hard to remove, send your suit for a spot clean.

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38026625

http://ecosalon.com/7-ways-to-guarantee-stress-sweat-wont-ruin-your-clothes/

https://www.mrporter.com/daily/how-to-look-after-your-suit/1882

Europe Pays the Highest Alcohol Tax Against the Rest of the World

By
Roger Bishop
-

Tax is a fact of life. Whether you’re a business accountant who encounters tax through daily use of online accounting software, or a customer making a single purchase in a shop, tax is an integral part of our economy that everyone is aware of.

Alcohol tax is occasionally increased to combat crime and deaths caused by excessive drinking around the world — Australia’s alcohol tax climbed 2.5% already this year and has been doing so every six months for the last 35 years. According to research, alcohol tax cuts in England in 2012 resulted in roughly 2,000 deaths and around 100,000 extra crimes.

Tax can depend on the alcohol content in beer, wine, and spirits. For example, there’ll be a 12 cent increase on beer in South Africa, which will rise to R1.74 excise duty, a 750ml bottle of wine will rise 22 cents to R3.15, and a bottle of whiskey will go up by R4.54 to R65.84.

An alcohol excise tax is usually a tax on a fixed quantity of alcohol. Producers, importers, wholesalers, and sometimes retailers pay alcohol taxes; however, the costs of these taxes are passed down to consumers through increased prices.” according to Timothy A. Scott, tax fraud attorney in San Diego, “However Californians can consider themselves lucky: their state charges less in taxes than the national average for import taxes on beer, wine and liquor.”

Countries with the highest alcohol tax

The average tax on alcohol is at 16% — both Zambia and Kenya have the average alcohol tax rate, with relatively low alcohol-related deaths at 2.1% and 2.6%, respectively, suggesting that alcohol tax is effective in these countries for reducing alcohol intake.

Interestingly, the top 16 countries that pay the highest tax are all European countries. Hungary is the highest at 27%, followed closely by Croatia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden at 25%. But despite the higher alcohol tax rate, Hungary also had the second highest alcohol-related death rate at 6.7%, which in 2014 was reported as twice the global average. Norway’s alcohol mortality rate is 2%, with Sweden at 3.3%, Demark at 4.8%, and Croatia at 5.6%. Considering Andorra’s alcohol tax is one of the lowest at 4.5%, their mortality rate of 3.9% is considerably high when taking other countries into account.

Is higher alcohol tax effective?

Attempting to reduce alcohol consumption with a policy might not be as effective in all countries, with cultural differences playing a major part in drinking alcohol. For example, Hungary has been recognised by the WHO as a country that has adopted drinking alcohol as a large part of their culture, a trend common among Eastern European countries which is less prevalent in Scandinavian countries, reflecting findings of the data above — does this suggest that high tax works as a deterrent only if drinking alcohol isn’t a large part of the country’s culture?

Country Alcohol Tax (%) Alcohol-Related Deaths (%)
Hungary 27 6.7
Croatia 25 5.6
Denmark 25 4.8
Norway 25 2
Sweden 25 3.3
Zambia 16 2.1
Kenya 16 2.6
Jordan 16 0.4
Mexico 16 6.8
South Africa 15 6.4
Andorra 4.5 3.9

Other countries that matched the average alcohol tax of 16% were Jordan and Mexico. Jordan’s alcohol mortality rate was the lowest at 0.4%, surprisingly followed by Mexico at the highest with 6.8%.

Alcohol tax and alcohol-related mortalities

Alcohol has been reported as being at the centre of daily and ritual life in numerous Mexican communities while simultaneously being a damaging factor both physically and socioeconomically. With a similar tax rate to Mexico of 15%, South Africa’s rate of alcohol-related deaths stands at 6.4%, one of the highest out of the countries selected for discussion. South Africa has some of the heaviest drinkers in the world — 61% of the population abstain from drinking, with around 31% drinking so heavily that it contributes to many societal and health problems. This suggests that perhaps alcohol tax isn’t effective in controlling alcohol death rates when drinking is so prevalent.

Similarly, Jordan had the same tax rate as Mexico, however their alcohol death rate stood at 0.4%. As 90% of the Jordanian population are Muslim, there’re stricter laws for drinking and being drunk in public. It would seem that religious belief can play a key part in societal expectations and regulations.

According to WHO, higher-income countries are more likely to introduce alcohol interventions — nearly all countries (95%) have implemented alcohol taxes, however less than half of these countries are also using further price strategies to reduce alcohol consumption by banning below-cost selling and bulk discounts. Many have television bans, but this is less common for digital marketing and social media.

Based on research, it would appear that increasing alcohol tax to reduce drinking largely depends on the extent to which drinking is a part of culture, as well as further government interventions and price strategies. Countries such as Hungary, Mexico, and South Africa where drinking is a popular activity will have less effective alcohol taxes in comparison to countries like Norway, Sweden, and Jordan where it isn’t indulged in as often.

Sources

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/alcohol-tax-1-february-2020-190411103.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alcohol-tax-cuts-duty-deaths-crime-budget-beer-cider-wine-a9151381.html

https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/sin-taxes-levies-increase

https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/vat-rates/international-vat-and-gst-rates.html

https://ourworldindata.org/alcohol-consumption

https://budapestbeacon.com/alcohol-consumption-in-hungary-twice-the-global-average/

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/21-09-2018-harmful-use-of-alcohol-kills-more-than-3-million-people-each-year–most-of-them-men

Room, R., 2002. The effects of Nordic alcohol policies. What happens to drinking and harm when alcohol controls change.

https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/332909/south-africa-has-some-of-the-heaviest-drinkers-in-the-world/

Brulotte, R.L., 2017. Alcohol and Ambivalence in Mexico and the Americas. Latin American Research Review, 52(5).

https://touristjordan.com/drinking-alcohol-jordan/

What You Need to Know about Buying a Home in UK?

By
Roger Bishop
-

Now you have decided to buy a home. It is the right decision because having your home has its own charm. It will be recognised by your name and thus, creating a proud moment for you. For most of the time, purchasing a new home has been a dream comes true, but it will take time. It is a cumbersome process that may take several months to complete.

The biggest investment! Yes it is not the small thing to do. By considering the bulky process, one might think of living in the rent because they either do not have enough earning or they do want to disturb their savings.

But suggestion would be to go for home purchasing. Two reasons that make this suggestion stronger are:

  • It would be your right financial decision (as you can save money by not giving a rent)
  • You may come under the tax shelter (as mortgage interest does not attract taxes)

A Critical Scenario for the First-Time Buyer

Climbing on to the housing ladder is not as easy as it looks sometimes. You have to do a lot of preparation, especially if you are a first-time buyer. You have to indulge in the documentation, multiple processes and indeed, a hefty financial obligation (using the home as collateral).

As being a first-time buyer, how can you ensure that you are purchasing the right property? How to make the process hassle-free at large? How can you manage the burden of the long process?

To help you in this regard, here are some vital 7 TIPS that you need to follow while buying a home in the UK:

    Inspect the location before the home purchase

Do an early inspection of the place where you want to purchase a new home. You have two options to do that, such as:

  • Travel around the streets and inspect the entire infrastructure
  • Take out a local person if he is in your acquaintance

You should have a home where the neighbourhood is good and look better in terms of communication. During any mishappening, only your neighbours come to help you. Check whether the location has convenient travelling arrangements or not. Or if yes, then there should not be too much noise pollution. Other factors that need to be considered are crimes in the location, homeowner insurance facility in case of natural calamity, the drainage system and many more. Storage space is only one factor to consider when buying a home. Living in the city will cause you a fortune and every space should be utilized. Luckily, there is a lot of London self storage that could extend your storage needs.

    Start savings from now onwards

Savings are very much necessary. Prepare your family budget as such from which you can keep a specific amount aside to use during the mortgage. Put restrictions to your expenses and LOOK ONLY FOR NEEDS NOT THE DESIRES.

You might think that how small savings can help for more significant investment? You cannot buy a home with those little savings, but at least you can pay the deposit to get the right mortgage. Remember, you have to spend at least 5% deposit while availing a mortgage, and the percentage will go up if you have a poor credit score.

    Hire a trustworthy mortgage broker

You are going to buy a home for the first time in your life, and thus, you do not have enough understanding of the marketplace. It would be better for you to hire a mortgage broker in the UK, who will make all the arrangements from finding a lender to assisting during the process.

Do online research and find out the reliable UK mortgage broker like ShineMortgages.co.uk. The specialist knows all the trustworthy lenders, which are the leading providers of mortgage for the first-time buyer. By doing this, you can gain the chance of getting a deal on better price and beware of all the costly mortgage offers.

    Select the best mortgage with affordability is the critical factor

To continue with the point mentioned above, you have to select the best mortgage that should go according to your repayment capacity. In such a scenario, you should sit with your independent mortgage advisor as much as you can do. It assists in choosing the right lender that has a good record of providing the mortgage.

Remember, your affordability is the critical factor. If buy you buy a costly mortgage, it will put a massive burden on to your monthly or annual income.

    Keep an eye on the interest rates in the market

The mortgage interest rates in the UK do fluctuate year to year. You have to take into consideration as much as possible. If the interest rate is low, then you have a chance of cheap mortgage deal or vice versa.

Consult with your mortgage broker about the interest rates. Fixed-rate rates, tracker mortgage and offset mortgage rates should be analysed by you properly.

    Analyse overall costs

It would help if you never leave your homework incomplete. You are purchasing a new home, and the total cost is not all about the home value or mortgage interest rates. There are many other expenses as well, such as:

  • Solicitor’s fees
  • Survey charges
  • Stamp duty fees if the amount is above £120,000
  • Decorating or furnishing costs
  • Removal fees (if you remove the deal)

You must have the amount to bear these costs. Therefore, savings are more important in such a scenario because you can manage these expenses from it. Earn more, if possible, to cover up the mortgage rates as well.

    Prospects of property insurance

Check before going to any location and buying a home that whether the property has the insurance facility or not. Confirm from locals and explore the search engines to know which the insurance companies are working in the area. What deals they are providing and how much premium you have to pay.

This step becomes vital when you see sudden loss to your earning and facing difficulty in paying mortgage repayment. Having insurance is something that can come as the backup for you. It can also save your credit score too.

Conclusion

You want to purchase a home in the UK because you are desperate to live your life comfortably. A right preparation can do wonder for you, and the proper guidance can make everything possible for you. Therefore, follow these tips and move ahead to fulfil your purpose.

Description: If you want to buy a home in the UK, then preparation becomes a key factor. This blog has discussed what you should do before going for the mortgage process.

New parents are giving their babies names which give them individual identity on social media.

By
Roger Bishop
-
Young couple choice of name for unborn baby

According to a survey of 1,772 parents, seven per cent have already chosen a unique name for their child, while a further two thirds (65 per cent) would consider it.

Nine in 10 (94 per cent) think made-up baby names are becoming more popular, with monikers including Faelina, Evabeth, Brigham and Tovin also set to climb the baby name charts.

Official figures from the Office of National Statistics show around 60,000 different names registered each year, but the number of choices is growing rapidly as more parents select one-off monikers.

The poll also found 72 per cent believe a unique name will help their child stand out in life, with one in 50 even choosing made-up names so their child can be easily found on social media.

And a third think one-off names will make their child feel special although 16 per cent say using made-up names can be seen as parents ‘showing off’. 

ChannelMum.com baby name expert SJ Strum said: “Shakespeare invented many names that have stood the test of time like Imogen and Jessica.  

“Now the social media boom means we are all writers and publishers, so parents are making up baby names that gives their child a unique start in life.” 

The study found that a desire for a gender neutral name is leading the phenomenon, with a third of parents making up something which isn’t traditionally male or female.

Also popular is taking a name each parent likes and blending it to create a new name, with 10 per cent of couples trying this to prevent arguments over the final name choice.

A further nine per cent mix names of relatives to honour family members.

The trend was originally sparked by Katie Price and Peter Andre naming their daughter Tiaamii, which combines her grandmothers’ names.

Fantasy names inspired by shows like Game of Thrones are also popular, with three in 10 parents drawing inspiration from books and TV shows.

While non-conventional names are becoming more popular, only eight per cent believe there are no down sides to using them.

Instead, two thirds of parents worry they can be both difficult to spell and to pronounce.  

A further 62 per cent claim the names may be seen as ‘tacky or silly’ while a third fear their child may be judged negatively at school by teachers

Meanwhile 13 per cent worry their name is so good that it could become popular and picked by other parents.

ChannelMum.com baby name expert SJ Strum added: “In the online world, being ‘discoverable’ by your name is increasingly important and we’re seeing more names registered than ever before.  

“Maevery, with its strong V and AE sound, is bang on trend with the top two girl names Olivia and Amelia so I think it will become popular.  

“Ranger is a great outdoorsy occupational name and with Hunter being a top riser of last year,  hipsters will be looking to Ranger as the new cool name – but with a more plant based ethic.” 

TOP ‘MADE UP NAMES’ FOR GIRLS

1. Maevery

2. Faelina

3. Idalia

4. Evabeth

5. Tessadora

6. Anaveah

7. Jessalie

8. Sylvalie

9. Sophiel

10. Elisobelle 

TOP ‘MADE UP NAMES’ FOR BOYS

. Jaspin  

2. Charleston  

3. Brigham

4. Ranger  

5. Wrenlow

6. Eastley  

7. Graylen

8. Albion

9. Tovin

10. Cedar

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