Investment markets are moving into a new “golden age” of strong dividend returns, according to a global equities investment manager.

Platform and investment provider AJ Bell has warned that an estimated 1.8m more people will pay dividend tax by 2024/25.

The Prime Minister has announced rises to dividend and share tax and a rise in National Insurance from April 2022 to address the funding crisis in the health and social care system.

A strong dividend recovery is under way with global dividends set to return to their pre-Coronavirus pandemic highs in the next 12 months, according to a new report.