Category archives: General Financial News

Global growth is projected at 3.3% in 2026 amid cautious optimism Trade cooperation and AI investment are key economic drivers Policymakers must balance inflation control with long-term resilience After a long, cold winter, there are tentative signs that spring is arriving. With hope in the air – what lies ahead for the global economy? Uncertainty […]

UK dividends are projected to reach £88.8bn, up 1.5% year-on-year Underlying growth suggests resilience despite macroeconomic headwinds Global payouts are expected to rise 2.9% to $2.47trn Following growth of 1.3% in the fourth quarter and total headline payouts of £87.5bn in 2025, UK dividend expectations for the year ahead are positive, according to the latest […]

Up to 70% of family wealth can be lost by the second generation without structured planning IHT changes and pension reforms could accelerate gifting and estate restructuring decisions Open communication and professional guidance improve long-term wealth preservation outcomes The world is on the brink of an unprecedented transfer of wealth. A notable World Wealth Report¹, […]

Using your ISA allowance early increases potential tax-free growth opportunities Pension contributions attract relief and may reduce higher-rate tax exposure Early planning helps optimise capital gains and Inheritance Tax allowances A new tax year feels a bit like spring cleaning for your finances – a fresh start, new allowances and a chance to put good […]

An HSBC report shows that entrepreneurs remain remarkably optimistic despite policy shifts, market volatility and trade disruption  Entrepreneurial optimism tends to translate into investment, innovation and job creation across the broader economy  Entrepreneurs’ appetite to harness long-term trends, from AI to global wealth flows, underpins continued growth and resilience  Almost 3,000 entrepreneurs across 15 markets […]

77% of high-net-worth individuals began making significant charitable donations after surpassing £2m in personal wealth   High-net-worth individuals want their money to carry meaning, so philanthropy is becoming integral to wealth planning  Inheritance Tax receipts continue rising, with forecasts suggesting revenues could reach £14bn by 2030  Wealth milestones trigger significant giving  A study from Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management1 found […]

Financial inequality leaves many women with fewer financial resources and less security in later years One of the most significant drivers of the gender wealth gap is the difference in pension savings There are opportunities at every stage to strengthen financial wellbeing and close the gender wealth gap Despite decades of progress, financial inequality between […]

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 […]

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 […]

“The Chancellor is relying heavily on tax rises towards the back end of the parliament”  Income Tax thresholds will remain unchanged until at least 2031, so more earners will be in higher tax bands  The basic Dividend Tax rate will rise to 10.75%, while the higher rate will increase to 35.75%   Now the dust has […]