UK GDP growth outperformed expectations in Q2, but fragile demand raises concerns over sustainability into autumn Bank of England cut rates to 4%, yet divisions among policymakers signal slower easing ahead Inflation climbed to 3.8% in July, with rising transport, food and energy costs fuelling pressure UK growth rate beats expectations Second quarter data released […]
Author archives: matthew
In the News – Home Finance
A dressing room can boost your home’s value by up to £40,000 Over 65’s hold £2.9trn in mortgage-free property wealth in the UK House purchases now take 124 days on average – 41% longer than expected Dressing rooms – the new must-have Once seen as a luxury, dressing rooms are gaining popularity among everyday homeowners […]
Balancing family needs and your own financial freedom
12% of HNWI’s are financially supporting both children and ageing parents Many dip into pensions or restructure finances to fund family gifts Balancing generosity with personal financial security is essential for long-term freedom The ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ (BOMAD) is well known to many aspiring or recent house buyers – but have you heard […]
In the news – Wealth
IHT revenues are expected to hit £9.1bn in 2025/26, rising to over £14bn by 2030 Higher-rate taxpayers could miss out on £97,000 in extra pension wealth by not claiming full tax relief through self-assessment Scrapping non-dom tax status may risk public revenues rather than boost them IHT receipts continue to rise HMRC figures1 show the […]
Why ‘keep calm and carry on’ pays off for investors
Trying to time the market often leads to missed opportunities A well-diversified portfolio helps wealthier short-term volatility Staying invested long term is key to building lasting wealth April’s surprise tariffs announced by Donald Trump on ‘Liberation Day’ unsettled global markets and caused a sharp sell off from panicked investors. Trump announced a 90-day pause of […]
Home insurance premiums and claims increase
UK combined home insurance premiums rose 8.5% to an average of £231 according to recent data Material shortages, labour expenses and inflation rates have driving up repair and rebuild costs Make sure you don’t invalidate your insurance by leaving a spare key where it can be easily found Extreme weather conditions. Rising construction costs. Higher […]
Healthy uptick in investing confidence
Investment optimism has surged, particularly among under-35s Over half of 25-34s are now actively investing, with many planning to increase contributions Long-term strategies can help convert confidence into meaningful financial outcomes UK investors are showing renewed confidence, with last year marking a notable shift in sentiment – particularly among younger wealth-builders. According to research1, investment […]
In the News – Money
UK Q1 dividends fell 4.6% but beat expectations The headline total paid out to shareholders in Q1 was £14bn UK holidaymakers are spending significantly more this year Holiday spending soars Planning to jet away on a summer holiday? If so, you’re in good company – 83% of UK adults1 are planning holidays this year. Interestingly, […]
Bank of Mum and Dad – worth their weight in gold
Over half of fist-time buyers relied on family financial help in 2024 to get a foot on the ladder BoMaD support averaged £55,572 per buyer across 173,500 transactions Falling mortgage rates may reduce reliance on family, but not eliminate it altogether More than half of first-time buyers relied on family to get on the property […]
Economic Review – July 2025
UK economic output shrank for the second month in May, driven by weakness in manufacturing and construction Inflation rose unexpectedly to 3.6% in June, complicating the Bank of England’s rate-cut considerations Labour market shows signs of cooling, with falling vacancies and slowing wage growth amid economic uncertainty UK economy still struggling to expand Figures published […]