Office for National Statistics reported subdued late-2025 growth, but PMI signals stronger first-quarter expansion Inflation fell to 3.0%, raising expectations that Bank of England may cut rates soon FTSE 100 reached record highs as public finances posted a surprise January surplus Survey highlights signs of encouragement Although Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures released last […]
Author archives: matthew
Home Finance – In the news
Rents across Britain have hit record highs, now consuming 44% of the average wage People overestimate the cost of life insurance, leading them to delay taking out protection Many manual workers are missing out on protection despite the risk of workplace accidents Rents eat up 44% of average wage Recent data1 shows that rents across Britain have hit record highs. The average […]
Breaking the retirement mould – flexi is the future
As life expectancy increases, workers are abandoning the idea of spending a whole career with one company More workers are embracing non-linear career journeys by retraining, switching industries and taking extended breaks As working lives become more fluid and career paths less predictable, seeking financial advice is essential More than four in 10 Brits expect to pursue […]
Money – in the news
Many UK adults don’t feel confident their family would be financially secure if they unexpectedly died Women were less certain about their family’s financial resilience and 45-54-year-olds were the least confident age group A survey found that only four in 10 working people aged 60-69 feel ready for retirement Would your family be financially resilient without you? Only one in five […]
Key changes in the housing market
Landlords face reduced rental profitability as Income Tax on property earnings rises by two percentage points The Lifetime ISA will be phased out and replaced by a simpler product High-value homeowners may reconsider property decisions as new Council Tax surcharges target homes over £2m Although November’s Budget announcements may now feel like a distant memory, several measures introduced at the […]
Small pension boost can make a big difference
Even small increases in pension contributions can substantially enhance retirement savings through compound investment growth Modest, consistent contributions over a career significantly boost long-term financial security and quality of retirement life Do your future self a favour with a one-off lump sum payment or incremental monthly increases. Everyone knows that a healthy pension pot is crucial for a comfortable […]
Keep your home safe this winter
Check your home is protected against bad weather, such as freezing temperatures, high winds and heavy downpours Insurers paid out £585m for weather-related damage to homes and possessions in 2024, so check you’re adequately covered Make sure your boiler is serviced annually, identify fire hazards in your home and test smoke alarms. Frozen pipes. Blocked gutters. Damp rooms. The winter months can take their toll on […]
Retirement ready in 2026?
Only 40–50% of UK’s Baby Boomers are on track to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement Only 6% of Gen X have a written retirement plan, despite nearing the end of their working lives Whatever your level of wealth, expert advice can help bridge the gap between retirement hopes and financial reality The start of a new year is an ideal […]
Economic Review January 2026
UK economic momentum strengthened into 2026, with GDP rebounding and business surveys signalling improving private sector confidence Inflation ticked higher in December, but economists expect the rise to fade as temporary factors unwind Markets delivered solid January gains despite volatility, while labour demand softened and consumer confidence edged higher UK growth rate stronger than expected […]
Kick off 2026 on top of your tax numbers
Start thinking about making the most of tax-efficient opportunities before the end of the 2025/26 tax year You can contribute as much as you like into your pension, but there’s a limit on the amount of tax relief you will receive each year You can make gifts worth up to £3,000 in each tax year, these gifts will be exempt from IHT […]