I trade in stocks on a small scale, can somebody please explain if/when I will be liable for capital gains tax. Is the tax related to the total amounts sold or just to the profit made from the sales.

Stockbunny, I was off line when you posted the second time, do you get it now? If you sell a block of shares for 36,000 pounds you would have to declare it even if you are selling for exactly the same price you bought at ie. you are not making a profit or a loss. It doesn't matter how much you spend on buying shares (that only comes into it for calculating a gain or a loss).

Framption and Exotoxin - many thanks - yes I get it now :>)

Glad to hear that bunny!