Autumn Budget 2024

“Our mission to grow the economy” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered the Labour government’s first Budget on 30 October with a promise to “restore economic stability” and “invest, invest, invest” to promote growth. In her statement, she outlined a number of new tax and spending measures that she said would create “an economy […]

News in Review

‘We observe good prospects of a soft landing of the global economy’  The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) new World Economic Outlook entitled ‘Policy Pivot, Rising Threats,’ outlines global growth expectations of 3.2% in both 2024 and 2025. The international soothsayer predicts that rate cuts are ‘poised’ to continue, inflationary pressures will ease, growth will be […]

In the news

Money worries outweigh study concerns for almost half of students  Have you got a child at university? If so, it’s likely, according to a new study1, that they’ll be more worried about the cost of living (a top-rated concern for 47% of students), than their academic studies (26%). Other main concerns of university students in […]

News in Review

“Welcome news for millions of families”  Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of inflation fell to its lowest rate in three and a half years in September. Easing to 1.7%, the rate dipped well below the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) 2% target.  Analysts had […]

Navigating a multi-retirement reality

Over the years, a number of notable trends, such as increased longevity and individuals taking on greater responsibility for their pension provision, have clearly altered the retirement landscape significantly. Now, new trends look set to further change the face of retirement, adding complexity to the retirement planning process and making early planning ever more essential.  […]

Residential Property Review – October 2024

Improving conditions in the residential market  Activity in the residential property market is picking up as house prices continue to show modest growth, according to Savills.   In August, mortgage approvals were only 3% below pre-pandemic levels. In September, sales agreed and new instructions were 8% and 9% above their respective 2017-2019 averages, highlighting that supply […]

Commercial Property Market Review – October 2024

Commercial market update  UK commercial real estate continues to perform well, according to BNP Paribas Real Estate.  Investor sentiment has improved, with sterling continuing to strengthen, reaching its highest level against the dollar and the euro in over two years. This helps to attract overseas investors and boost UK weightings in global real estate allocations.    […]

News in Review

“It’s time to back Britain”   Keir Starmer vowed on Monday to rip up investment-blocking red tape and make regulation “fit for the modern age” as he wooed global business leaders in the hope of attracting companies to invest billions of pounds in Britain.   Addressing the International Investment Summit, the Prime Minister said “It’s time to […]