The Open University

Budget 2017: Reducing VAT threshold is a stealthy tax rise for small businesses

21 November 2017

Ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget, we asked OU lecturer in personal finance, Jonquil Lowe, about one of the key issues expected to come up – what the anticipated reduction in the VAT threshold will mean, if you have a small business or are self-employed. Jonquil’s thoughts ahead of Budget 2017 “Self-employment is often a […]

11 top tips to become a financially savvy teen

3 November 2017

According to research from by the OU’s True Potential Centre for the Public Understanding of Finance (PUFin) a staggering one in seven 18 year olds is already in debt. Almost two-thirds (60%) of them admit they owe money to payday loan companies – £168 each on average. Excluding more traditional student borrowing, the research found that these […]

Top 9 tips for saving for your pension

15 September 2017

Pensions are always the hot topic among learners on the OU’s hugely popular free OpenLearn and FutureLearn courses, Managing My Money and Managing My Investments. They are also core in our seminal undergraduate course, DB123 You and Your Money, that aims to raise students’ own financial capability. Research by senior lecturer in economics and personal […]

Top tips for moneywise students

21 August 2017

If you’re heading off to university this Autumn or considering studying flexibly with The Open University, you will no doubt be examining your finances. Here’s seven tips to help you manage your money, from Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance and Economics, Jonquil Lowe. 1. Choose your account carefully There are special bank accounts for students, […]

Explainer: What is national insurance?

11 March 2017

A tax called national insurance has become the centre of a row within Britain’s ruling Conservative Party. The recent budget announced a rise in the tax for the self-employed (from 9% to 11% on profits above £8,060 – still less than the 12% paid by employees). But a number of Conservative MPs have strongly criticised […]

Academics respond to the Budget 2017

8 March 2017

Following the Chancellor, Philip Hammond’s, first Budget Jonquil Lowe, Senior Lecturer in economics and personal finance and Mick McCormick, Head of Social Work at The Open University give their opinions on some of the big issues announced on Wednesday 8 March. Social Care Mick McCormick, Head of Social Work at The Open University: “The Chancellor’s […]

Want to be the master of your money in 2018? Here are 11 ways you can be

17 November 2016

Two experts in personal finance from the OU offer top tips on how you can manage your money effectively. Why shouldn’t you make financial decisions on a Friday, and why should you figure our your ‘essential non-essentials’? 1) Check your credit rating and your credit file This can be done at no cost and you may find there is […]

Photograph of a large group of people celebrating

Happy 10th birthday OpenLearn

31 October 2016

This year, the OU’s free learning portal OpenLearn celebrates its 10th anniversary, hot on the heels of welcoming its 40 millionth visitors. We explore OpenLearn’s continuing success and take a look at the changing popularity of courses. In 2006 The Open University was the first UK university to make course materials freely available online in […]

Banking ‘shake-up’ relies too much on customers shopping around

10 August 2016

A report that was billed to transform the UK’s retail banking industry has been criticised for not doing enough to protect customers. The Competition and Markets Authority report was two years in the making and is geared towards improving competition and the products on offer for individuals and small businesses. But the government watchdog puts […]

OU academics on the Panama Papers

13 April 2016

Panama Papers is the biggest data leak in history, shining a light on tropical tax havens and the world of offshore banking. Here, two Open University academics – one an expert in personal finance, the other in law – share their views… ‘Dynamic tension’ and reining in of the Duke of Westminster principle By Jonquil […]

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