News

“Our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal” At a Downing Street briefing on Friday, the Prime Minister announced that further easing of lockdown restrictions in England was to be postponed for at least two weeks. This was one of several policy changes announced during the week which collectively aim to suppress […]

Stamp Duty Holiday The recent Stamp Duty Holiday announcement in Rishi Sunak’s Summer Budget has come as a huge positive for all homebuyers, with many people now actively looking for a new property knowing they have a significant up-front saving given this great opportunity. To put this in context, the average stamp duty saving will […]

Borrowers on a tracker, discounted or variable rate mortgage may have already benefited from base rate cuts in March, but borrowers whose mortgage deal is nearing its end, or those currently on a standard variable rate (SVR), should review their situation as there are some competitive products on the market. Remortgaging is where you take […]

Back in March, the Chancellor’s announcement, offering three-month mortgage payment holidays for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic, came as welcome news to many. Mortgage lenders agreed with the Treasury that any customers in ‘difficulty’ would be eligible. Mortgage payment holidays have since been extended for a further three months to 31 October […]

There have been warnings from several UK bodies, including the Bank of England, National Crime Agency, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) urging people to be vigilant. The warnings are aimed, in particular, at those who may have lost their jobs or are under financial pressure and may be tempted by scammers. Millions affected Over […]

“We have to strike a balance” Last week, the Prime Minister and his cabinet met in person for the first time since lockdown commenced in March. Opening the meeting, the PM said there will be “difficult months ahead for our people and our country but no-one will be without hope”. He continued, “For the next […]

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a widespread impact on all aspects of our finances, including retirement planning. However, while recent stock market volatility undoubtedly poses a challenge, particularly for those close to retirement, it is important not to allow the outbreak to derail your plans. A resilient retirement plan One thing the pandemic has vividly […]

“We cannot let our progress today lead to complacency tomorrow” As millions of people around the globe went back into lockdown last week, in England confirmation was received that face coverings will be mandatory for shoppers in supermarkets and shops from Friday 24 July. The move aligns England with Scotland and other major European nations […]

“We face profound economic challenges” Last Wednesday, the Chancellor delivered an Economic Update on the government’s plan to rebuild the economy. Rishi Sunak outlined his Plan for Jobs, the second phase of the government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic. Before detailing his plan, Rishi Sunak stated that, as a nation “we face profound economic […]

One notable theme evident throughout the coronavirus lockdown has been ‘back to basics’ with people displaying an increased appetite for the simpler things in life. While not everyone has fully embraced Tom and Barbara’s ‘Good Life’ philosophy, home baking, gardening and knitting have all enjoyed a notable renaissance. Lockdown lessons Back to basics has also […]