A shift in equity release priorities
Figures from the Equity Release Council revealed a 10% annual increase in borrowing in Q2 2025. In H1 2025, making home adaptations or improvements was the top reason for using equity release. More homeowners are taking out a lifetime mortgage to fund day-to-day living, highlighting cost of living pressures. From property renovations to dream holidays, homeowners are increasingly using equity release to help […]
Wealth – In the news
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 […]
International Women’s Day – closing the gender wealth gap
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 […]
Economic Review February 2026
Office for National Statistics reported subdued late-2025 growth, but PMI signals stronger first-quarter expansion Inflation fell to 3.0%, raising expectations that Bank of England may cut rates soon FTSE 100 reached record highs as public finances posted a surprise January surplus Survey highlights signs of encouragement Although Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures released last […]
Home Finance – In the news
Rents across Britain have hit record highs, now consuming 44% of the average wage People overestimate the cost of life insurance, leading them to delay taking out protection Many manual workers are missing out on protection despite the risk of workplace accidents Rents eat up 44% of average wage Recent data1 shows that rents across Britain have hit record highs. The average […]
Residential Property Review – February 2026
February is the best time to put your home on the market according to Rightmove research The government’s Warm Homes Plan was launched in January with a £15bn investment Leading housebuilders have met with ministers to discuss planning reforms and the housing market The best month to sell your home February is the best time to put your home on the market, according […]
Commercial Property Review – February 2026
High demand for office space – research shows office space is currently the most in-demand commercial property asset class London offices update – office take-up in the capital marks London’s strongest performance since 2019 The (in)efficiency of commercial buildings – analysis indicates 81% of UK city commercial buildings have a low EPC rating High demand for office spaces Recent data shows that office space is attracting the highest […]
Breaking the retirement mould – flexi is the future
As life expectancy increases, workers are abandoning the idea of spending a whole career with one company More workers are embracing non-linear career journeys by retraining, switching industries and taking extended breaks As working lives become more fluid and career paths less predictable, seeking financial advice is essential More than four in 10 Brits expect to pursue […]
Money – in the news
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 […]
Key changes in the housing market
Landlords face reduced rental profitability as Income Tax on property earnings rises by two percentage points The Lifetime ISA will be phased out and replaced by a simpler product High-value homeowners may reconsider property decisions as new Council Tax surcharges target homes over £2m Although November’s Budget announcements may now feel like a distant memory, several measures introduced at the […]
