Inflation rate holds steady The Bank of England (BoE) Governor has described the latest batch of inflation statistics as “quite encouraging,” adding that he expects a “noticeable drop” in the headline rate when the next set of data is released later this month. Figures recently published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that […]
Author Archives: charlie
Retire early – repent at leisure?
It is the dream of many to retire early. Indeed, 270,000 people in their 50s and 60s left the UK workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Concerns about retirement poverty However, two thirds of people aged 50–70 who quit work or lost their job during the pandemic left the […]
An ‘epidemic of fraud’ impacting young and old
The latest annual fraud report published by UK Finance stresses the need for an urgent response to ‘the epidemic of fraud’ that the UK is currently facing. The report reveals that £1.3bn was stolen by criminals through authorised and unauthorised fraud in 2021. In total, 56% of UK adults1 have received a suspicious communication or […]
Economic Review – November 2022
OBR forecasts long but shallow recession Updated projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the UK is facing a long but relatively shallow recession which will see households hit by a record drop in living standards. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest forecasts during his Autumn Statement delivered to the […]
Commercial Property Market Review – November 2022
Weakening outlook for commercial property The Q3 2022 RICS UK Commercial Property Survey reveals a picture of weakening market activity, with 81% of respondents now considering the market to be in downturn. Headline expectations for rents and capital values were in negative territory in Q3. Prime office rents are expected to remain broadly flat in […]
Residential Property Review – November 2022
More Stamp Duty changes in Autumn Statement Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on 17 November left housing out of the limelight, though it did include a commitment to keep the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes announced in the ‘mini-budget’ – for now. In September, then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng increased the nil-rate threshold of SDLT to […]
Pensions round-up
Recently released research1 suggests UK consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about pensions and prepared to take a greater role in preparing for retirement. Other research2, however, shows significant sums are still sat in ‘lost’ pensions, while experts have warned about potential pension-related problems as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Pensions knowledge improving A survey conducted by […]
