23 March 2023

Family finances: It’s good to talk

New research1 suggests young adults and their parents are becoming increasingly comfortable talking about money matters, which should ensure future generations are much better equipped to tackle their financial affairs.  Breaking the taboo  Historically, intergenerational discussions about finances have too often been viewed as a no-go area, but the research suggests UK families are beginning […]

23 March 2023

Income protection crucial for renters

The number of households renting privately in the UK increased by 63% in the decade to 20171, reaching an estimated total of 4.5 million. As the rising cost of living continues to cause difficulties for many, the importance of protection becomes increasingly apparent.  Safety net  Tenants in the private rental sector generally have lower financial […]

15 March 2023

Spring Budget 2023

“A Budget for Growth” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his first Spring Budget on 15 March declaring it was “A Budget for Growth.” The fiscal update included a range of new measures, some of which had been widely trailed prior to Budget day, in order to achieve growth “by removing obstacles that stop […]

15 March 2023

FCA issues ‘magic’ scam alert 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned pension holders to beware of scammers’ ‘magic tricks’ as research shows the economic squeeze is encouraging more people to withdraw pension savings.  ScamSmart  Britain’s financial watchdog recently launched its latest ScamSmart campaign aiming to give consumers the knowledge and tools to avoid scams. Over 700,000 pension plans were […]

15 March 2023

It pays to think about estate planning

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is once again in the spotlight following the Chancellor’s decision to freeze IHT thresholds for a further two years until April 2028. Extending the frozen thresholds, together with rising house prices and soaring inflation mean that more estates are likely to be affected.  IHT receipts on an upwards trend  The latest IHT […]