Pensions and Politics
Pensions have been a big topic in UK politics for some time, nevermore so than in an election year. That’s no surprise to us given their crucial role in the financial security of millions of citizens, but not everyone is as interested and engaged in pensions as we are! Here’s a quick summary of why pensions have been at the forefront of UK politics in recent years. The UK…
How to Protect yourself from Financial Crime
As the world becomes more and more interconnected and we routinely use digital means of making payments, it is more important than ever to be aware of the risks this can present. From identity theft and fraud to cybercrime and money laundering, criminals have many different ways of targeting unsuspecting victims and obtaining their hard-earned cash. So, what can you do to be more resilient in the face of…
Things are looking up!
We’ve been through a difficult period in the last few years, to say the least. Thanks to factors ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to Liz Truss’s catastrophic Mini-Budget, along with soaring interest rates and inflation rising to a 40-year high, people in the UK have been put under unprecedented and sustained financial pressure. But interest rates have been left on hold in the last few months and whilst the…
Is this the Peak for Savings Rates?
This month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that inflation had fallen to 3.4% in the twelve months to February 2024. This is down from 4% in January and means that inflation is at its lowest point in two and a half years. The impact of getting closer to the Government’s 2% inflation target could then mean the Bank of England’s MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) decide to reduce…
Use your Capital Gains Allowance
The 2023/24 tax year is coming to an end on April 5th, so you don’t have long left to use your various allowances – in particular your Capital Gains Tax allowance. This is especially important this year as your Capital Gains Tax allowance is being cut from £6,000 to £3,000 from April 6th. That means that now is the time to cash in on the bigger allowance, so if you…
Outcomes of the Spring Budget 2024
Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered his Spring Budget, and we wanted to keep you informed about what has just been announced. Taxes Employee National Insurance to be cut from 10% to 8% from April. Self-Employed National Insurance to be cut from 8% to 6% from April. Non-dom tax regime to be scrapped and reformed, with new rules being introduced in April 2025. Under the new…
What is the Future of the State Pension?
Currently, the age at which you are entitled to claim the State Pension is 66. This is expected to rise to age 67 in 2036, and then to 68 in 2046. A think-tank has recently floated the idea that, in order to make the State Pension sustainable, pensionable age needs to be increased to 71 by 2050. A falling birth rate, combined with an increase in life expectancy means…
How Much Will You Need In Retirement?
We all want to look forward to a happy and fulfilling retirement, but that doesn’t happen by itself. It is the result of careful planning and making the right decisions throughout your working life, so you can have the financial means to enjoy the lifestyle you want and deserve. But shifting economic sands and events entirely beyond your control means your retirement plans can’t be set in stone. For…
Autumn Budget
Jeremy Hunt says the government has taken difficult decisions to put the economy back on track and halve inflation, but “the work is not done”. His priorities are to avoid big government spending and high tax, and instead cut taxes and reward those working hard. He set out 110 “growth measures” in the Autumn Budget. The main 12% rate of employee national insurance that we currently pay is going…
Are you confident about repaying your mortgage?
Are you confident about repaying your mortgage? Your mortgage is one of your biggest financial commitments, and as such, you do not want to have sleepless nights worrying about repaying this debt. It is more important than ever to be on top of your repayment plan given that many households are seeing their monthly mortgage bills going up. According to analysis by Nous, the average monthly mortgage bill has…
