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 […]
Author archives: matthew
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 […]
Economic Review – September 2026
The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 3.75% in September but warned of potential rates rise The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects global GDP to grow by 2.9% in 2026 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported public sector borrowing of £18.3bn, £2.9bn more than a year earlier Interest rates […]
Start early, save smarter
Research highlights a crucial truth – delaying pension contributions can be far more expensive than most people realise Analysis shows that starting to save earlier in life can significantly reduce the required contributions Even small, consistent contributions early on can outperform larger amounts contributed later Whilst many younger adults are proactive on pensions, saving for […]