News

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the Spring Budget on 15 March declaring it to be “A Budget for Growth.” The fiscal update included a range of new measures, starting with the latest economic projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR):  The Chancellor’s strategy for growth focuses on four pillars ‘Everywhere, Enterprise, Employment and Education.’ Key […]

Cost-of-living difficulties are forcing people to reconsider their housing situations, with a new survey1 showing that three in ten UK homeowners are considering saving money by moving to a smaller property, relocating or living with others. Race for space? After the pandemic-induced race for space, downsizing is back on the cards. Almost one in five […]

More people are installing solar panels to their homes, spurred on by environmental concerns or the prospect of reduced reliance on the National Grid. Putting thousands of pounds on your roof can boost the value of your property, but do solar panels affect your home insurance? Come rain or… Having emerged in the 1950s, solar […]

New research1 suggests young adults and their parents are becoming increasingly comfortable talking about money matters, which should ensure future generations are much better equipped to tackle their financial affairs.  Breaking the taboo  Historically, intergenerational discussions about finances have too often been viewed as a no-go area, but the research suggests UK families are beginning […]

The number of households renting privately in the UK increased by 63% in the decade to 20171, reaching an estimated total of 4.5 million. As the rising cost of living continues to cause difficulties for many, the importance of protection becomes increasingly apparent.  Safety net  Tenants in the private rental sector generally have lower financial […]

“A Budget for Growth” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his first Spring Budget on 15 March declaring it was “A Budget for Growth.” The fiscal update included a range of new measures, some of which had been widely trailed prior to Budget day, in order to achieve growth “by removing obstacles that stop […]

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned pension holders to beware of scammers’ ‘magic tricks’ as research shows the economic squeeze is encouraging more people to withdraw pension savings.  ScamSmart  Britain’s financial watchdog recently launched its latest ScamSmart campaign aiming to give consumers the knowledge and tools to avoid scams. Over 700,000 pension plans were […]

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is once again in the spotlight following the Chancellor’s decision to freeze IHT thresholds for a further two years until April 2028. Extending the frozen thresholds, together with rising house prices and soaring inflation mean that more estates are likely to be affected.  IHT receipts on an upwards trend  The latest IHT […]

With financial concerns at the fore for many people, unfortunately it’s no surprise over half of adults have experienced anxiety as a direct result of rising bills, with a quarter suffering with feelings of depression as escalating costs take their toll, according to a new study1.  Nearly half of adults are staying at home more […]

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement on 17 November, with a host of announcements on personal taxation and public spending. Housing was largely absent from the key fiscal event, though a significant statement was made on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).  In September, then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng had increased the nil-rate threshold […]