Prepare for decade of save, save, save

It would appear financial services are going to play a fundamental part of the next general election with the Conservatives tackling many of the main issues with policy ideas and initiatives being announced during its party conference last week.

Historically, financial services have not been vote-winners and elections have not been won with major platforms on areas such as savings and pensions. The Conservatives started their gathering in Manchester by suggesting a one-off payment of £8,000 at 65 would create an insurance system to provide free long-term care for the elderly. Gordon Brown mooted a similar objective last year in response to Conservative suggestions it would look at the IHT system. George Osborne also revealed a Tory government would increase the retirement age by a year to 66 – a step that pre-empts the cur...