STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
I CALLED Virgin Media to discuss a TV and internet package and asked for an engineer to talk me through what the installation would involve, for which I paid £25. In the end, I decided not to leave BT, but I keep getting phone calls and emails from Virgin asking me to set up my online account and pick an installation date. Can you get the firm off my back?
B.N., Cambridgeshire. VIRGIN has apologised and refunded you the £25 you paid for the engineer’s visit. CAN we give £500 each per month to our daughter and two grandchildren from our surplus income from pensions and interest after living expenses are paid, without worrying about inheritance tax?
J.C., Ayrshire YeS, hMRC rules state you can give ‘normal gifts out of your income’ without it being considered part of your estate if you then die, as long as you can ‘maintain your standard of living after making the gift’.
This would include small regular payments or birthday gifts, for example. Crucially, it must be surplus income which you do not need for everyday bills. unlike larger gifts, you do not need to have given it away at least seven years before your death. It is also separate to the rule which allows you to make gifts of £3,000 a year to family and friends without attracting inheritance tax. I WAS promised £360 by Thomson after a delayed flight on September 7 last year. But after a continuous back and forth, I’ve received nothing.
P.W., by email ThOMSON says there was confusion over your address — although you say you haven’t moved house. Thomson apologises and a cheque for £360 should now be in the post. I APPLIED to Scottish Power for a discount under the Government’s Warm Home Scheme worth £140. It asked for proof of income, but my pension provider, Aviva, didn’t send me the right forms and now I’ve missed the deadline for 2016/17. I am 80 years old and have health problems, so I need to keep the heating on a lot.
G. M., Worcester SCOTTISh Power has given you a goodwill payment of £50 and will help you apply for the discount for 2017/18. Aviva apologises and sends you a goodwill payment of £150.