Bank of Mum and Dad – worth their weight in gold
Over half of fist-time buyers relied on family financial help in 2024 to get a foot on the ladder BoMaD support averaged £55,572 per buyer across 173,500 transactions Falling mortgage rates may reduce reliance on family, but not eliminate it altogether More than half of first-time buyers relied on family to get on the property […]
Economic Review – July 2025
UK economic output shrank for the second month in May, driven by weakness in manufacturing and construction Inflation rose unexpectedly to 3.6% in June, complicating the Bank of England’s rate-cut considerations Labour market shows signs of cooling, with falling vacancies and slowing wage growth amid economic uncertainty UK economy still struggling to expand Figures published […]
How the ‘great wealth transfer’ impacts you
Baby boomers hold over half of the UK wealth and should start legacy planning now Gen X can benefit from early financial advice to simplify future decisions and manage inherited wealth Millennials are motivated to build wealth and should start planning early to prepare for what’s ahead The UK’s ‘great wealth transfer’ will see an […]
Investors warned as cloning scams surge
Nearly a quarter of brand cloning scams succeed, costing investors £2.7m in H2 2024 AI is fueling more convincing scam tactics that mimic real firms Verifying legitimacy before investing is more important than ever Cloning scams are now the top fraud threat to people wanting to invest, a new study shows1. The Investment Association (IA) […]
Engaging with your pension – knowledge gaps revealed
Most UK adults lack essential knowledge about their pensions and how they’re invested A significant number don’t know their State Pension entitlement or how it’s calculated Many want to consolidate pensions but don’t know how to start New research1 has shone a light on the extent of pension knowledge gaps among UK adults. While 53% […]
Residential Property Review – July 2025
City of London investment volumes are rising, with May hitting the highest deal count so far in 2025 Owner-occupier demand is increasing as mortgage costs undercut commercial rents by up to 37% Scottish commercial investment fell 20% in H1 2025, though hotels led performance and private buyers remained active A smoother end to 2025? The […]
Commercial Property Market Review – July 2025
City of London investment volumes are rising, with May hitting the highest deal count so far in 2025 Owner-occupier demand is increasing as mortgage costs undercut commercial rents by up to 37% Scottish commercial investment fell 20% in H1 2025, though hotels led performance and private buyers remained active City investment market outlook The City […]
Summer pension round-up – managing your wealth
Nearly half of over-50s are worried about running out of money in retirement Many retirees withdraw pension lump sums impulsively, without understanding tax or long-term consequences Career progression, early retirement and smart planning shape your future pension outcome. With life moving fast, demands on our time and finances never-ending, it’s easy to push pensions down […]
Summer housing market update – records, challenges and changing trends
Average asking prices hit record highs, but growth is slowing, as analysts suggest we’re in a buyers market Moving costs have risen sharply across the UK due to changes in tax and associated fees First-time buyers see improved affordability supported by flexible mortgage products As summer begins, the housing and mortgage markets are experiencing a […]
Get Budget-ready this summer
Summer is the ideal time to review financial goals and investment strategies Utilising tax allowances now can protect your wealth from future policy changes Long-term investing remains key, even amid short-term market volatility Summer should bring a welcome shift in pace: longer days, warmer evenings, time off and the chance for some well-earned rest and […]
