Chancellor unveils plan for growth On 29 January, the Chancellor outlined her plan to boost economic growth during a speech in Oxford, although data released last month suggests the UK economy remained largely stalled at the start of this year. In her speech to business leaders, Rachel Reeves set out a series of major announcements […]
Author archives: matthew
Taking steps to avoid a retirement overspend
A fifth of respondents to a survey1 have consistently spent more than they expected to during their retirement so far. Moreover, 11% of the over-55s surveyed also said their overspending had occurred early on in their retirement. So, what were the biggest reasons behind the overspend? Cost of living (28%), housing costs, including mortgage payments […]
Dive into ’25 on top of key tax changes
A couple of months have passed since the Autumn Budget, a significant milestone for the Labour government. A comprehensive set of measures impacting individuals and businesses were announced, featuring £40bn in tax increases. Key announcements involved Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, domicile status, VAT on private school fees, Stamp Duty and Income Tax thresholds. Inheritance […]
A few months left to maximise your State Pension
The government is encouraging individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to maximise their State Pension by filling gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records for the period between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. By making voluntary contributions, people can potentially increase their future State Pension payments. This option is available until the […]
On your agenda – end of tax year planning
As we head into a new year with hope and optimism – it’s a good time to reflect on your personal financial circumstances. With the 2024/25 tax year drawing to a close, don’t leave it to the last minute to get your finances in order – that includes using your tax-efficient allowances. You might want […]
Residential Property Review – January 2025
What to expect in 2025… Property experts Savills are hopeful that 2025 will be a positive year for the housing market, despite some challenges. The average house price is expected to increase by 4% over the course of this year, partly due to improved mortgage affordability restoring confidence among potential buyers. In 2024, performance in […]
Commercial Property Market Review – January 2025
Commercial property outlook for 2025 According to Savills, the outlook is for increased stability in the UK commercial property market for 2025, following a 20% rise in investment volumes for the office and industrial sectors in 2024. With two Bank Rate reductions and expectations of further cuts, borrowing costs look set to decrease, enhancing investor […]
Nurture your financial wellbeing in 2025 – get your life plans in place with smart planning
As we step into 2025, now is the perfect time to set your financial plans in order. With changes on the horizon – like many pension pots becoming subject to inclusion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations from April 2027 – it’s wise to prepare early. Financial wellbeing involves having a positive relationship with your money, […]
Preparing for the longevity megatrend in an uncertain world
As a new year dawns and we ponder what the next 12 months may hold for us as individuals and investors, one thing is for certain – some familiar challenges lie ahead. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)1 unveiled its latest economic assessment the week prior to the US election, proclaiming a period of ‘stable but […]
Record sales in 2024 and a surge expected in early 2025
In the latter part of 2024, the UK housing market experienced robust sales momentum, driven largely by higher disposable incomes and easing rates on some mortgages. What can we expect for the housing market as we enter 2025? Last year marked the highest level of new sales since late 2020, with house prices rising modestly […]
