Economic Review – June 2026
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 7–2 to leave Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% at its June meeting Official figures suggest consumers returned to the high street during May, with warmer weather helping lift retail activity UK Consumer Price Index inflation held steady at 2.8% in May, defying analyst forecasts of 3.0% rise Bank of England […]
Protection policies – just 42% hold one
Only 42% of UK consumers hold life, income or critical illness protection Affordability and lack of awareness are key reasons for underinsurance Major life events often trigger protection decisions, sometimes too late Have you got protection in place? A survey of over 14,000 UK consumers1, has discovered that just 42% have protection policies arranged, including […]
Sea view or swimming pool? The top property searches
Garages and annexes were the most searched property features in 2025 Rural homes and large gardens gained popularity Swimming pools ranked above sea views in buyer demand What features do you think of first when you imagine your new property? If your mind went straight to a garage or annexe, you are not alone: new […]
Residential Property Review – June 2026
Housing outlook – Savills has predicted house prices will fall by 2% this year House sales – according to Rightmove, 44% of UK homes for sale failed to sell in the last three years Property hotspots – Bootle, Merseyside, has emerged as the UK’s top seaside property hotspot for summer 2026 Revised outlook for 2026 […]
Commercial Property Review – June 2026
Commercial market – data from Carter Jonas indicates an uneven recovery in investment volumes, below levels seen in Q4 2025 Logistics market – according to Knight Frank, the sector saw £1.64bn in transactions in Q1, 5% down on Q1 last year Infrastructure capital – a CBRE report highlights that this is an increasingly important driver […]
In the news
Almost one in five first-time buyers are searching for mortgages below 60% loan-to-value The Lifetime ISA will be replaced with a new savings product focused on first-time buyers Average mortgage payments are projected to fall to around 40-41% of gross salaries, lowest since 2021 Growing divide in first-time buyer deposits Almost one in five first-time […]
Small steps to securing your financial future – it is attainable!
Average pension savings lag significantly behind comfortable retirement targets Changing pension rules and longevity trends demand proactive planning Reviewing contributions and investment strategy can reduce future shortfalls It can be easy to disengage when you see the statistics about how much you’ll need for a comfortable retirement, especially when you’re working hard and the demands […]
Passing on wealth – the essentials of IHT
Estates above £325,000 may face 40% IHT, with additional residence allowances available Lifetime gifting and trusts can reduce estate value but require careful structuring Professional advice helps navigate complex rules and avoid unintended tax liabilities Gifting and trust strategies can have tax implications and may not be suitable for everyone. The value of investments can […]
Salary sacrifice – things to consider
Current salary sacrifice rules allow full Income Tax and National Insurance efficiency National Insurance relief will be restricted above £2,000 annually from April 2029 Forward planning could maximise pension contributions under existing rules Salary sacrifice is one of the most effective pension planning tools available, particularly for higher earners. It allows you to exchange part […]
You’ve got a mortgage! Now protect it
Over one-third of mortgage holders have no protection in place Nearly half would struggle within six months of losing income Income protection and life cover safeguard long-term home security Securing a mortgage can feel like the pivotal step in achieving financial independence. Yet, too many mortgage holders are taking on this major commitment without protecting […]
