Budget 2026 – planning ahead, not predicting
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is now preparing its economic and fiscal forecasts, while speculation grows The Chancellor said the Budget will be built on “fiscal discipline” to give businesses and families greater stability The most useful approach is to look beyond the headlines and not to get swept away with speculation It’s that […]
A more cautious housing market
Higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty continue to weigh as mortgage rates remain unpredictable Lloyds’ House Price Index showed the average UK property price was just 0.1% higher than a year earlier The autumn market is likely to remain price-sensitive, with affordability continuing to influence decisions As we move into autumn, the UK housing market […]
Economic Review – September 2026
The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 3.75% in September but warned of potential rates rise The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects global GDP to grow by 2.9% in 2026 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported public sector borrowing of £18.3bn, £2.9bn more than a year earlier Interest rates […]
Start early, save smarter
Research highlights a crucial truth – delaying pension contributions can be far more expensive than most people realise Analysis shows that starting to save earlier in life can significantly reduce the required contributions Even small, consistent contributions early on can outperform larger amounts contributed later Whilst many younger adults are proactive on pensions, saving for […]
Residential Property Review –September 2026
Residential Market Survey – the housing market is stabilising further with buyer demand and agreed sales showing improvement Mortgage rates – In July, mortgage approvals were 16% below the 2017-19 average and the lowest level since December 2023 Rental market – In Q1 2026, the average UK landlord portfolio generated £88,454 in gross rental income, […]
Commercial Property Review – September 2026
Commercial property update – London captured the largest regional share of investment by the end of August Industrial and logistics sector – Demand in the sector still being driven by ecommerce growth and supply chain resilience Scottish market – French investors are particularly active in Aberdeen, according to research from Knight Frank Commercial property market […]
Enjoying your happy and healthy retirement
As people are living longer, retirement planning increasingly spans multiple decades, giving a large window to prepare As priorities, health and spending needs change, review plans regularly to keep the right balance Retirement planning is about much more than money. A well-planned retirement should support your broader life goals With a clear sense of purpose, […]
A new shape to homeownership
First-time buyers are now entering the market later than previous generations, around age 33 on average Longer mortgage terms and later entry naturally lead to borrowing extended well into later life Refinancing is now popular for older borrowers. Many are remortgaging to secure better rates or release equity The traditional journey of buying a home, […]
Why is life insurance back in focus?
Pension tax efficiency needs to be considered as it will start to fall within IHT from April 2027 Life insurance can play a valuable role by providing a lump sum on death to help cover the tax bill Acting early can help ensure that any cover is affordable and increase your options Changes to Inheritance […]
Retirement planning for the self-employed
Three in five self-employed workers could be missing out on crucial peace of mind and tax benefits Making regular contributions can be more achievable and build a bigger retirement pot than waiting for ‘surplus’ income Retirement saving can be more complex for self-employed workers. It’s never too late to improve retirement readiness Around 40% of […]
