A recent study1 has identified several distinct pension personality types, each with its own strengths and challenges. Which one resonates with you? Procrastination Pete and Paula are the most common type, often overwhelmed by the complexities of pensions. This group is likely to make poor decisions, such as hastily withdrawing a 25% tax-free lump sum […]
Author archives: charlie
HNWIs on the rise – and their needs are changing
A new report1 suggests the wealth of ‘high-net-worth-individuals’ (HNWIs) – grew by 4.7% in 2023, with the HNWI population increasing by 5.1% to 22.8 million globally. What’s behind the increase? Global economic uncertainty, higher interest rates and rising political tensions led to significant declines in HNWI wealth (3.6%) and population (3.3%) in 2022. However, the […]
In the news
Northern cities surge in mortgage searches As buyers consider more affordable housing options beyond the capital, the six major Northern cities of Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle have witnessed a significant increase in purchase mortgage searches and now account for almost 11% of all mortgage search activity, up by two-thirds on last year1. […]
News in Review
“The only way to drive economic growth is to invest, invest, invest” Rachel Reeves delivered the first Labour Budget in 14 years on 30 October, during which she announced £40bn of tax rises. She outlined a series of new tax and spending measures, some of which had been widely trailed prior to Budget day, saying, […]
Finding midlife balance
Midlife can be demanding. Having moved onto – and, perhaps, up – the housing ladder, started a family and settled down, you would think you might have earned an easy ride. Yet midlife demands on your time and money can make you feel you are being pulled in a hundred different directions. Between supporting your […]
The new Renters’ Rights Bill – what does it mean?
The Labour government has designed a Renters’ Rights Bill, aiming to improve the rights and protections for tenants. Changes have already been made to improve rights in Scotland and Wales, so the proposed Bill will be applicable to renters in England, with some elements stretching to Wales. No more no-fault evictions The Bill will include […]
Economic Review October 2024
Economy set for short term Budget boost New economic projections produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the Labour administration’s first Budget will provide only a ‘temporary boost’ to UK economic output. Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest forecast during her Autumn Budget delivered to the House of Commons on […]
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 […]
Uptick in IHT receipts – what lies ahead?
Data1 has shown that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts have continued their ascent, with £2.8bn received in the April to July period this year. This figure is a substantial £0.2bn increase on the same period in the previous tax year (2023/24). Frozen thresholds continue to take their toll as IHT, once a tax reserved purely for […]