Allenbridge

Tax specialists are revving up their best guesses ahead of this year's budget on the issue of the level of tax relief accorded venture capital trusts, even as a growing number are expected to close early because of high investor demand.

Baronsmead, Close and Pennine are names topping the new ratings list of VCTs published by Allenbridge Tax Shelter Report, available free on the consultant's website.

While some VCTs look on track to meet targets for the current fiscal year before closing their offerings, others look well off the pace, with the sector facing the prospect of missing its target as a whole by up to 50%