People are increasingly seeking financial guidance on social media. While financial influencers – or ‘finfluencers’ – can be useful in raising awareness around financial matters, there is also a darker side to the growth of unregulated advisers. Social media age In the UK, more than one in four people use some combination of social media, […]
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In the news
17 out of 21 sectors raised dividend payments in Q3 On a headline basis, total UK dividends in Q3 2024 fell to £25.6bn, an 8.1% decline, led by cuts in the mining sector (£2.6bn reduction in payouts)1. Stronger sterling, the impact of share buybacks and lower one-off special dividends also contributed to the reduction. Mining […]
Economic Review January 2025
Chancellor unveils plan for growth On 29 January, the Chancellor outlined her plan to boost economic growth during a speech in Oxford, although data released last month suggests the UK economy remained largely stalled at the start of this year. In her speech to business leaders, Rachel Reeves set out a series of major announcements […]
Taking steps to avoid a retirement overspend
A fifth of respondents to a survey1 have consistently spent more than they expected to during their retirement so far. Moreover, 11% of the over-55s surveyed also said their overspending had occurred early on in their retirement. So, what were the biggest reasons behind the overspend? Cost of living (28%), housing costs, including mortgage payments […]
Dive into ’25 on top of key tax changes
A couple of months have passed since the Autumn Budget, a significant milestone for the Labour government. A comprehensive set of measures impacting individuals and businesses were announced, featuring £40bn in tax increases. Key announcements involved Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, domicile status, VAT on private school fees, Stamp Duty and Income Tax thresholds. Inheritance […]
A few months left to maximise your State Pension
The government is encouraging individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to maximise their State Pension by filling gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records for the period between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. By making voluntary contributions, people can potentially increase their future State Pension payments. This option is available until the […]
On your agenda – end of tax year planning
As we head into a new year with hope and optimism – it’s a good time to reflect on your personal financial circumstances. With the 2024/25 tax year drawing to a close, don’t leave it to the last minute to get your finances in order – that includes using your tax-efficient allowances. You might want […]
Residential Property Review – January 2025
What to expect in 2025… Property experts Savills are hopeful that 2025 will be a positive year for the housing market, despite some challenges. The average house price is expected to increase by 4% over the course of this year, partly due to improved mortgage affordability restoring confidence among potential buyers. In 2024, performance in […]
Commercial Property Market Review – January 2025
Commercial property outlook for 2025 According to Savills, the outlook is for increased stability in the UK commercial property market for 2025, following a 20% rise in investment volumes for the office and industrial sectors in 2024. With two Bank Rate reductions and expectations of further cuts, borrowing costs look set to decrease, enhancing investor […]
Nurture your financial wellbeing in 2025 – get your life plans in place with smart planning
As we step into 2025, now is the perfect time to set your financial plans in order. With changes on the horizon – like many pension pots becoming subject to inclusion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations from April 2027 – it’s wise to prepare early. Financial wellbeing involves having a positive relationship with your money, […]
