Residential Property Review – May 2025

Knight Frank raises its UK house price growth forecast to 3.5% for 2025 amid rate cut optimism  March saw a surge in transactions as buyers rushed to beat the Stamp Duty changes  Buy-to-let investors increasingly target northern regions for affordability and rental yield advantages  Improving rate outlook boosts UK forecasts  Knight Frank has raised its […]

Commercial Property Market Review – May 2025

Q1 2025 West End investments hit £1.71bn, driven by three major transactions despite fewer deals  UK commercial property demand is rebounding, with offices and industrials gaining, while retail lags behind  The Big Six cities, especially Manchester and Leeds, show strong office market recovery and occupier demand West End investment rebounds   London’s West End commercial property […]

Navigating uncertainty together 

Senior man, insurance and contract with financial advisor and retirement plan to sign. Document, pension deal and business analyst with male person and paperwork in office for signature of will

Economic and political uncertainty can lead to impulsive financial decisions—long-term planning is key  Media headlines create noise, but financial plans should be tailored to personal goals, not speculation.  A strong financial strategy is built to adapt—seek expert advice to stay on track  Over the past five years, we’ve experienced a global pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, political […]

Surging demand for protection insurance – are you covered?

Surging demand for protection insurance – are you covered?

Income protection demand is expected to grow, with 51% of financial advisers predicting an increase in 2025  44% of advisers anticipate rising demand for life insurance, as more people seek financial security   With economic uncertainty, more individuals are prioritising private health insurance and income protection  The demand for health insurance, income protection and life insurance […]

One in six plan to move in 2025

Smiling couple looking at smartphone while relaxing during a move. Indian man and beautiful woman checking mobile phone together, surrounded by moving boxes. Mixed race couple enjoying a moment together during their move into a new home.

30% of Brits moved home in the past three years, motivated by lifestyle changes and space  One in six homeowners plan to relocate this year, with garages and gardens top priorities  Renters face affordability challenges, with many needing family support to buy their first home.  After a busy period in the housing market, there seems […]

Closing the investing gap

Couple, insurance paperwork and budget planning with laptop, bills and finance with taxes and mortgage. Financial documents, payment and loan with policy, audit and review with asset management

13 million UK adults are sitting on £430bn in cash, potentially missing out on higher long-term investment returns  Many savers find investing too complex—74% need guidance on choosing the right investments   Holding cash is useful for short-term needs, but long-term investing can offer greater wealth-building potential  A recent report1 estimates 13 million UK adults are […]

IHT receipts continue their ascent

Shot of a woman comforting her distraught husband at home

IHT receipts topped £6.3bn in the eight months to December, a £600m increase on the same period the previous year  OBR predicts IHT receipts will continue their ascent, forecasting total receipts of £9.7bn a year by 2028/29  Factors including a rise in asset values and frozen thresholds are contributing to rising receipts  HM Revenue and […]

Positioning portfolios in a protectionist world

Positioning portfolios in a protectionist world

US Vice President JD Vance spelled it out in Munich – “there is a new sheriff in town” – and that sheriff’s policies are already having far-reaching consequences. While dealing with geopolitical uncertainties is clearly nothing new for long-term investors, Trump’s re-election has once again vividly highlighted the need for a sound investment approach based […]

Money – In the news

Money - In the news

Child Trust Funds still unclaimed  Some 728,000 people who have recently turned 18 have not claimed their Child Trust Fund, figures1 show, with the total value of unclaimed money amounting to £1.4bn. Many eligible young people do not know that their account exists, campaigners say. MPs are urging more action from HMRC to inform potential […]

Economic Review April 2025

Economic Review April 2025

The UK economy grew 0.5% in February, driven by strong service and manufacturing sectors despite looming headwinds  Inflation dipped to 2.6% in March, but April’s household bill hikes are expected to reverse the trend  The labour market weakened as vacancies fell, though wage growth remained robust amid cost pressures and job cuts  UK economy returns […]