31 October 2023

“British pensioners should benefit from British business success”

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced measures in his first Mansion House speech aimed at unlocking billions of pounds of extra pension cash to support the economy.  According to the government, the Mansion House Reforms aim to secure the best possible outcome for pension savers, whilst strengthening the UK’s position as a leading financial centre. This is […]

31 October 2023

Crackdown on ‘finfluencers’

Influencers who generate content on financial topics are rapidly rising in popularity on social media, having been dubbed ‘finfluencers.’  The good news is that finance is becoming more accessible and appealing to younger generations through bite-sized, more light-hearted formats. Coupled with a lack of financial education in their school years, Gen Z and millennials are […]

31 October 2023

Your protection safety net

When faced with the unpredictability that life brings, it is comforting to have the support of protection cover.  Increased household bills, mortgage and rent costs, mean that protection is more important than ever right now but, in response to these challenging conditions, some households are considering reducing their level of protection – leaving themselves vulnerable […]

17 October 2023

Dividend Allowance cuts: implications for investors

With the UK in the midst of a sharp tax-raising drive, understanding the full impact of fiscal changes on investments has arguably never been so critical. One area that has been subject to particularly draconian reductions is Dividend Allowance, with changes in this area likely to have a significant impact on many investors.  Six-year slide  […]

17 October 2023

Don’t panic about mortgages 

After successive Bank Rate rises, the cost of a mortgage hit a 15-year high in July and will likely stay high for much of the next year. In unpredictable and unsettling times, here are some ways for mortgage holders to keep a cool head.  Help is available  If you’re worried about your mortgage payments, in […]

10 October 2023

Mortgage Charter provides relief

A helping hand for mortgage holders was announced at the start of August by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt with a view to providing support to residential mortgage customers suffering from rising interest rates.  Three-part plan  The Mortgage Charter has three key elements:  More flexible  Further flexibility relates to customers approaching the end of a fixed-rate deal.  […]

10 October 2023

Achieving your long-term financial goals

After more than a decade of putting up with paltry savings rates, the sharp increase in rates over the past two years has certainly brought considerable cheer to savers. However, while the rise is certainly welcome, it is important savers do not overly rely on cash savings but carry on investing with a view to […]

10 October 2023

Lifetime Allowance removal provides pension boost

Several months have passed since the Spring Budget, which, although not necessarily packed with good news stories, held one announcement that certainly did bring considerable cheer to higher rate taxpayers. A recent survey has revealed the dramatic impact that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to scrap the pension Lifetime Allowance (LTA) is having on people’s retirement […]

3 October 2023

Older homeowners staying put 

First home, family home… then what? Maybe nothing, new research suggests1, with older homeowners standing their ground and not considering downsizing.  Indeed, seven in 10 respondents said that they are not looking to downsize, in a survey of 1,000 homeowners. Moreover, although 29% do plan to downsize within the next five years, only 13% of […]

3 October 2023

A defining moment – FTSE 350 female board representation

Three years ahead of schedule, FTSE 350 companies have met the target of achieving 40% female board representation, according to the latest FTSE Women Leaders Review1.  The report highlights ‘steady progress’ in getting women leaders to the ‘top table of business in the UK,’ with Nimesh Patel and Penny James, co-chairs of the Review describing […]