13 million UK adults are sitting on £430bn in cash, potentially missing out on higher long-term investment returns Many savers find investing too complex—74% need guidance on choosing the right investments Holding cash is useful for short-term needs, but long-term investing can offer greater wealth-building potential A recent report1 estimates 13 million UK adults are […]
Author Archives: matthew
IHT receipts continue their ascent
IHT receipts topped £6.3bn in the eight months to December, a £600m increase on the same period the previous year OBR predicts IHT receipts will continue their ascent, forecasting total receipts of £9.7bn a year by 2028/29 Factors including a rise in asset values and frozen thresholds are contributing to rising receipts HM Revenue and […]
Positioning portfolios in a protectionist world
US Vice President JD Vance spelled it out in Munich – “there is a new sheriff in town” – and that sheriff’s policies are already having far-reaching consequences. While dealing with geopolitical uncertainties is clearly nothing new for long-term investors, Trump’s re-election has once again vividly highlighted the need for a sound investment approach based […]
Money – In the news
Child Trust Funds still unclaimed Some 728,000 people who have recently turned 18 have not claimed their Child Trust Fund, figures1 show, with the total value of unclaimed money amounting to £1.4bn. Many eligible young people do not know that their account exists, campaigners say. MPs are urging more action from HMRC to inform potential […]
Economic Review April 2025
The UK economy grew 0.5% in February, driven by strong service and manufacturing sectors despite looming headwinds Inflation dipped to 2.6% in March, but April’s household bill hikes are expected to reverse the trend The labour market weakened as vacancies fell, though wage growth remained robust amid cost pressures and job cuts UK economy returns […]
Investment megatrends for 2025 and beyond
Megatrends are powerful, long-term shifts, which are already changing the way we live and work Today, trends such as AI, defence spending, changing energy supplies and demographics, are evident While markets fluctuate daily, megatrends are shaping the future, creating exciting opportunities Investing megatrends are powerful, long-term shifts expected to reshape industries, economies and investment markets […]
Residential Property Review – April 2025
Data shows 64% of homeowners underestimate how much their property is worth In Q1 demand across prime London neighbourhoods fell nearly 4% compared to Q4 2024 Net mortgage lending fell to £3.3bn in February, down £0.9bn from January Most homeowners underestimate property value by tens of thousands Zoopla research says most homeowners are in the […]
Commercial Property Market Review – April 2025
In central London, twice as many businesses upsized than downsized last year, with one-third of London lettings coming from new entrants Premium pricing, limited development supply and consistent performance makes Edinburgh one of the UK’s most attractive hotel markets According to research, US investors have acquired close to £50bn of UK commercial assets since 2021 […]
Your pension and IHT
By Q3, the government is expected to provide implementation guidance on how pensions and death benefits will be treated Any changes are likely to have the greatest impact on people with established estate plans As proposals are not finalised, it’s wise to consider potential implications but await the final guidance before overhauling plans Chancellor Rachel […]
Kickstart the new tax year with confidence
With the new tax year allowances in place, now is the time to make smart financial decisions Taking time to review and refine your financial plan can help you stay on track for the future Ensure you’re making the most of the opportunities available – your future self will thank you! The beginning of the […]
