With the current generation of graduates typically leaving university with a mountain of debt, it is perhaps unsurprising that so many parents are now looking to ease the burden by investing on their children’s behalf. University challenge Government statistics show the average debt accumulated by a university student is currently around £45,000. Thankfully, graduates only […]
Category archives: All
Take control to improve your wellbeing
With financial concerns at the fore for many people, unfortunately it’s no surprise over half of adults have experienced anxiety as a direct result of rising bills, with a quarter suffering with feelings of depression as escalating costs take their toll, according to a new study1. Nearly half of adults are staying at home more […]
Stamp Duty in the Autumn Statement
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement on 17 November, with a host of announcements on personal taxation and public spending. Housing was largely absent from the key fiscal event, though a significant statement was made on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). In September, then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng had increased the nil-rate threshold […]
Time for a retirement reboot?
Nowadays there are more choices open to you than ever before. This means there are more things you need to consider and have a plan for, like how to manage your finances to provide the income you’ll need to live on, how you’ll transition into full retirement and what lifestyle you want to enjoy in […]
News in Review
“The peak may have started to pass but prices have settled at a much higher level than two years ago” Last Wednesday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its latest UK inflation figures, which revealed the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 10.1% in the year to January. This increase is below the figure […]
Home Finance – In the news
Green mortgages – a mystery A recent survey1 has revealed that four out of five (83%) people have no understanding of green mortgages. Each lender’s criteria will differ, but typically they may offer a discounted rate, or cashback, if a property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B. The government has […]
Money – In the news
Child Trust Fund – on your radar? His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has reminded teenagers and people in their twenties to claim their matured Child Trust Fund (CTF) savings. CTFs are long-term savings accounts set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The government provided an initial deposit […]
Wealth – In the news
Women hold their nerve Recent research1 reveals women are more likely to hold their nerve and avoid crystallising a loss when the market dips. Almost half of men (48%) have sold investments at a loss when they’ve dropped in value, in an attempt to stem their losses, while just 38% of women have done the […]
News in Review
“Our economy is more resilient than many feared… However, we are not out the woods yet” The UK has narrowly avoided entering a recession by the slimmest of margins, as figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the economy had zero growth in the last three months of 2022. The official figures for […]
Economic Review – January 2023
UK growth beats expectations The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics show the economy unexpectedly grew in November easing fears that the UK has already slipped into recession. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the UK economy expanded by 0.1% in November. This figure was higher than any forecast submitted […]
