Financial empowerment for retirement control
Nearly 4 in 10 people in the UK are not on track for even a basic retirement lifestyle Understanding retirement income targets is key to building financial resilience Personal pensions offer flexibility, tax relief and control – ideal for employed and self-employed people. Building financial empowerment is all about the confidence that comes from knowing […]
Joint, dual, individual: understanding your life insurance options
40% of life insurance policies in the UK are joint rather than individual Joint life insurance policies can prove problematic when a relationship breaks down Dual life cover offers separate, flexible protection for both partners You’ve opened a joint bank account. You’ve signed up for a joint mortgage. So, a joint life insurance policy might […]
Economic Review – August 2025
UK GDP growth outperformed expectations in Q2, but fragile demand raises concerns over sustainability into autumn Bank of England cut rates to 4%, yet divisions among policymakers signal slower easing ahead Inflation climbed to 3.8% in July, with rising transport, food and energy costs fuelling pressure UK growth rate beats expectations Second quarter data released […]
In the News – Home Finance
A dressing room can boost your home’s value by up to £40,000 Over 65’s hold £2.9trn in mortgage-free property wealth in the UK House purchases now take 124 days on average – 41% longer than expected Dressing rooms – the new must-have Once seen as a luxury, dressing rooms are gaining popularity among everyday homeowners […]
Balancing family needs and your own financial freedom
12% of HNWI’s are financially supporting both children and ageing parents Many dip into pensions or restructure finances to fund family gifts Balancing generosity with personal financial security is essential for long-term freedom The ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ (BOMAD) is well known to many aspiring or recent house buyers – but have you heard […]
Residential Property Review – August 2025
Bank Rate cut to 4% (lowest in over two years) but mortgage rates remain stable UK house price growth forecast has been lowered to 1% in 2025 as high supply prompts more competitive pricing Homes gained 20% in value since 2020, with northern regions leading growth while parts of London face declines Another reduction to […]
Commercial Property Market Review – August 2025
London’s data centre demand is set to hit record highs in 2025, driven by hyperscalers and AI providers Retail property investment rebounded strongly in Q2, with high-street demand at its highest since 2021 UK commercial property remains mixed, with stronger growth in Central London offices and industrial rental markets Take-up of data centres in London […]
In the news – Wealth
IHT revenues are expected to hit £9.1bn in 2025/26, rising to over £14bn by 2030 Higher-rate taxpayers could miss out on £97,000 in extra pension wealth by not claiming full tax relief through self-assessment Scrapping non-dom tax status may risk public revenues rather than boost them IHT receipts continue to rise HMRC figures1 show the […]
Why ‘keep calm and carry on’ pays off for investors
Trying to time the market often leads to missed opportunities A well-diversified portfolio helps wealthier short-term volatility Staying invested long term is key to building lasting wealth April’s surprise tariffs announced by Donald Trump on ‘Liberation Day’ unsettled global markets and caused a sharp sell off from panicked investors. Trump announced a 90-day pause of […]
Home insurance premiums and claims increase
UK combined home insurance premiums rose 8.5% to an average of £231 according to recent data Material shortages, labour expenses and inflation rates have driving up repair and rebuild costs Make sure you don’t invalidate your insurance by leaving a spare key where it can be easily found Extreme weather conditions. Rising construction costs. Higher […]
