Is it time to End the Triple Lock?
Whether the triple lock is a “good thing” is debated, as it benefits pensioners by increasing their State Pension to keep up with inflation and earnings, but it creates significant uncertainty for government finances and can increase inequality with working-age people. Pensioners benefit from higher payments, but critics argue the rising cost to taxpayers is not sustainable and that it may widen the gap between pensioners and the working-age population.…
Is the State Pension Taxable?
Retirees receiving the full new state pension from April 2026 are on course for an increase of 4.8%, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The boost was confirmed thanks to September inflation coming in below average wages. Under the ‘triple lock’ mechanism, the state pension rises each April by the highest of average earnings growth, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation or 2.5%. With average earnings up by 4.8%…
Mothers Fall Behind
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) make stark reading for families planning for their long-term finances. On average, five years after having a first child, a mothers’ monthly earnings are 42% lower than the year before the birth — a reduction of about £1,051 per month. This represents a cumulative earnings shortfall of around £65,618 over that five-year period. The ONS also estimates that the arrival…
Child Benefit
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched a new system to calculate and collect the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). The update affects families where one or both parents earn between £60,000 and £80,000 a year each and claim child benefit payments. For every extra £100 a parent earns above £60,000, they lose 1% of the payments they’re entitled to per child. At £80,000 of earnings, the full benefit…
UK has Highest Inflation of G7
The UK is on course to have the highest inflation rate among the G7 nations this year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Paris-based body’s latest forecasts show that prices in Britain are set to rise faster than in other major advanced economies, adding fresh pressure on the government ahead of November’s Budget. The OECD expects UK inflation to remain stubbornly high compared with…
State Pension to Rise 4.7%
The State Pension is due to increase by 4.7% next April after the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures were published on Tuesday, 16th of September. The ONS data confirmed the latest annual wage growth of 4.7% would be the deciding figure under the State Pension Triple Lock. This uplift, while lower than some recent past rises, still gives an inflation-busting boost to state pension incomes for millions of…
What is a Junior ISA?
A Junior ISA is a long-term, tax-free savings or investment account for a child under 18, that is opened by a parent or guardian on the child’s behalf. Each year, a maximum of £9,000 can be contributed to it. Any increase in its value is tax free as it is within an ISA wrapper, so at no point would tax need to be paid. If family members were to set…
Do you have a Will?
A Will is more than just a legal document. It is a way of ensuring that your wishes are respected after death. Without one, your estate will be distributed according to the strict rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your intentions. This could mean partners not legally recognised, or stepchildren or causes close to your heart receiving nothing. It can also lead to disputes between family members, adding…
Pound Falling
The pound has slipped in value in recent days against both the US dollar and the euro, with markets reacting to concerns over economic growth and interest rate expectations. Unfortunately, these shifts are not just abstract market movements. When the pound falls it has a tangible impact on individual finances. A weaker currency affects everything from the cost of a holiday abroad to the performance of pensions and investments. Here…
Mortgage Rates on the Rise
The UK Government bond or ‘gilt’ market is once again under pressure. In recent weeks, yields on long-dated gilts have risen sharply, with the 30-year gilt yield reaching above 5.61% (at the time of writing). That level has not been seen since 1998 and represents a significant increase in borrowing costs for the Government. The 10-year gilt, among other durations, has also been caught up in the move, trading…
