Building wealth today, planning for tomorrow
Rising property values and frozen thresholds are drawing more families into IHT scope Pension rule changes from 2027 may alter estate planning strategies significantly Early awareness enables better family conversations and long-term legacy planning Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often viewed as something to think about later on in life. It can feel distant, complicated and […]
In the news
A third of UK workers feel confident about achieving a comfortable lifestyle when they retire There are some significant disparities across income groups, age and gender 60% of cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) savers would consider moving to a stocks and shares ISA Confidence in a comfortable retirement on the up A positive trend is […]
Equity Release continues to grow in popularity
Equity release lending rose 11% year-on-year to £2.57bn Many borrowers use funds for home improvements or gifting family Housing wealth is increasingly integrated into retirement planning Recent lending figures1 for last year show equity release lending totalled £2.57bn, a significant 11% increase on £2.3bn recorded the previous year. Drilling down into the data, it seems […]
In the news
UK workers, especially Gen X, increasingly want time away from work to focus on health and wellbeing Affordability and lack of employer support are cited as major obstacles Property accounts for a significant portion of estate value across the UK, particularly in London Sabbaticals on the rise with Gen X leading Research1 has highlighted a […]
The year of the market savvy buyer?
Buyers are negotiating more carefully in affordability-focused markets Agreements in principle strengthen credibility with sellers Preparation improves both buyer confidence and seller outcomes The difficulty in getting a foot on the housing ladder is no secret. In 2026, however, affordability in the housing market seems to be an even more central focus for buyers and […]
Economic Review – April 2026
Bank of England policymakers voted to keep interest rates at 3.75%, opting for caution due to the unpredictability of the Middle East The UK faces a weaker economic outlook than any other G7 nation as a result of conflict, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Office for National Statistics figures indicate a more encouraging picture […]
Residential Property Review – April 2026
UK housing market – rising borrowing costs and wider geopolitical uncertainty weigh heavily on market sentiment Prime property markets – buyers and sellers significantly less confident than they were at the end of Q4 Affordable towns – finding a budget-friendly home might mean casting the net a little wider RICS Market Survey The latest UK […]
Commercial Property Review – April 2026
UK Commercial real estate – Q1 capital values remained flat and 1.4% quarterly total returns driven by income returns New business rates – new rateable values hit over two million non-domestic English properties from 1 April Retail and hotel – experiential retail transforms the sector and UK hotel investment exceeds £1bn in Q1 Commercial market […]
Dividend Tax – what’s changing?
Ordinary and upper Dividend Tax rates rise by two percentage points Dividend Allowance remains £500 per tax year outside ISAs Reviewing your combination of salary, dividends and pension can improve efficiency From April 2026, changes to Dividend Tax kick in. While most of the Chancellor’s tax announcements from her November Budget will commence towards the […]
Spring into action: why now is the time to review your mortgage plans
Nearly half of aspiring buyers have never explored their borrowing potential Remortgaging could improve monthly affordability or release funds for improvements Early preparation strengthens your position in competitive spring markets Spring is often seen as a season of fresh starts; that applies just as much to the housing market as it does to the weather. […]
