Over half (52%) of people are unaware that paying into a pension can reduce their taxable income By making additional pension contributions, some parents may be able to retain childcare support while growing savings Many retirees expect to help their grandchildren financially, but this could compromise long-term financial wellbeing Half are unaware pension contributions can reduce […]
Author archives: matthew
Economic Review – October 2026
Banks will make what Healey described as a “temporary additional contribution to help fund household support” The UK economy performed better than expected, despite disruption from geopolitical conflict and higher energy costs Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed the employment rate rose to 75.3% in the three months to August Healey makes Budget pledge […]
Budget 2026
Rising costs remain a concern, with energy bill support and changes to household charges aimed at easing financial pressures The OBR has upgraded its 2026 growth forecast to 1.2% but lowered its 2027 projection to 1.0% The Your First Home scheme will receive £4.7bn in government-backed lending, aiming to help around 70,000 first-time buyers in […]
Rewarding conversations – why the smartest families are talking about inheritance now
A quarter of Britons aged 55 and over have never discussed their inheritance plans with their family The most forward-thinking families recognise inheritance conversations are not about death – they’re about clarity Professional guidance can make these conversations significantly easier – bringing structure, objectivity and expertise Progressive planning starts with open conversations. For many successful […]
Homebuying reforms set to tackle gazumping
One of the headline proposals is to make sales agreements legally binding much earlier to tackle gazumping Buyers or sellers who withdraw without a valid reason could face financial penalties, helping reduce failed transactions The reforms are expected to make homebuying faster and more transparent, saving first-time buyers an average of £650 The UK government […]
Budget incoming – keep calm and carry on
There has been plenty of speculation about what an Andy Burnham government could mean for the housing market It is important to distinguish speculation from policy as it is unlikely to help homeowners or buyers make decisions The sensible approach is to keep calm and carry on and wait for any relevant announcements That time […]
ISA changes incoming – what they mean for your savings
From April 2027, the Cash ISA allowance for anyone under 65 will fall from £20,000 to £12,000 The government will also discourage investors from using Stocks & Shares ISAs simply as cash savings accounts With significant changes ahead, now is a good time to review your ISA strategy and ensure your savings are tax efficient […]
Six-month countdown to the April 2027 Pension IHT shake-up
From April, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included when calculating IHT The new rules mean pension and estate planning can no longer be viewed in isolation, making advice valuable Seeking trusted financial advice now allows time to understand the options available and build an appropriate plan With just six months […]
Budget 2026 – planning ahead, not predicting
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is now preparing its economic and fiscal forecasts, while speculation grows The Chancellor said the Budget will be built on “fiscal discipline” to give businesses and families greater stability The most useful approach is to look beyond the headlines and not to get swept away with speculation It’s that […]
A more cautious housing market
Higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty continue to weigh as mortgage rates remain unpredictable Lloyds’ House Price Index showed the average UK property price was just 0.1% higher than a year earlier The autumn market is likely to remain price-sensitive, with affordability continuing to influence decisions As we move into autumn, the UK housing market […]