Figures released by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show that IHT receipts have hit record levels while new data shows the taxman is hunting down thousands of families that have not paid the correct liability on inherited estates. Record sums In the first ten months of the 2023/24 financial year, HMRC collected £6.3bn in death […]
Author Archives: matthew
Planning children’s financial futures
We all want a good start in life for the children in our family. After providing for the immediate needs of younger children, thoughts turn towards the future and consideration of longer-term goals. You may want to consider investing for your child’s future to potentially build something significant which they can call on in later […]
In the news
Find lost money! Up to £800m of pension and insurance assets and an even higher amount of savings could be lying dormant, according to new data1. Bank and savings accounts may be declared dormant if you don’t touch the account for several years and any letters from the bank or building society may fail to […]
Economic Review – April 2024
UK economic recovery gains momentum Official statistics published last month showed the UK economy returned to growth in the first two months of 2024, while more recent survey data suggests the recovery from last year’s shallow recession continues to gather momentum. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by the Office for National Statistics […]
Where next for the global economy?
While the latest forecast released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) does suggest global growth is likely to remain below its long-term historic average, the update did strike a relatively optimistic note with the organisation’s Chief Economist saying a global “soft landing” was in sight. Global growth upgraded In its first assessment of world economic […]
The cost of dying
Nearly half (48%) of adults aged 18 to 40 don’t have life insurance1. This puts many in a precarious position, as the unfortunate reality is that the cost of dying is high. Research has found that a premature death can cost surviving family members an average of £195,475 over the course of ten years2. These […]
Residential Property Review – April 2024
Upcoming election has not discouraged potential movers A survey by Savills has found that the prospect of the UK General Election has not put off the majority of home movers. According to the report, 79% of respondents have not changed their intentions to move because of the UK election; in fact, 13% said that they […]
Commercial Property Review – April 2024
Commercial property market update Latest research from Cluttons indicates that vacancy rates hit 4.1% at the end of 2023 – up from 3.8% in September. This is partly due to e-commerce activity remaining strong and the demand for buildings to meet net zero standards. Vacancies are expected to keep increasing as supply continues to be […]
Crafting your retirement strategy
Have you developed a retirement strategy yet? Whether you’re nearing retirement, or you still have many years of your working life ahead, careful planning is essential to secure financial stability and peace of mind when you stop working. Active planning is important According to a recent report1, individuals on average begin actively planning for retirement […]
What’s the best way to add value to your home this spring?
If you’re looking to sell this year, you might be wondering how to add extra value to your home before listing. It’s not always obvious, though, what are the best ways to do this, so it is easy to become fearful of sinking money into a project that might not increase the sale price. Fortunately, […]
