Wealth planning – striking a balance 

While recent financial challenges have taken their toll on everyone’s pockets, it comes as no surprise that parents are putting concerns about their children’s finances above their own, as highlighted in a recent survey of advisers1.  Over half (55%) of the advisers surveyed noted that adult children were taking priority in clients’ wealth planning at […]

It’s your retirement – don’t do it a disservice 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that 90% of those currently in their 30s and 40s are saving less than they need to if they want to have a decent standard of living in retirement. Whilst the IFS researchers found that the current generation of pensioners is doing better than any before it, […]

News in Review

“This is good news… we are making progress” Last Friday, newly released data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a better-than-expected uplift in UK economic growth. The UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.5% on a monthly basis in June, beating market expectations of a 0.2% rise. This higher growth rate, the […]

News in Review

“Inflation is falling and that’s good news” Last Thursday, the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to increase Bank Rate to 5.25%, a fourteenth consecutive rise that has taken Bank Rate to its highest level in 15 years. At the MPC meeting, the nine-member committee was split three ways, with six voting […]

Economic Review – July 2023

UK inflation rate declines Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK inflation rate fell by more than expected in June, leading analysts to predict that interest rates are now likely to rise less sharply than previously feared. The latest inflation statistics revealed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate […]

News in review

‘A resilient financial sector’ Interest rates in the UK will need to stay higher for longer than previously forecast to tackle inflation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned last week, despite improvements in the country’s economic outlook since the start of 2023. With cheaper energy, better relations with the European Union and calmer financial markets, […]

Residential Property Review – July 2023 

RICS survey shows demand falling    Activity in the residential sales market deteriorated in June, according to the latest UK Residential Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with negative net balance readings returned across many indicators.  New buyer enquiries fell to a net balance of -45%, compared to -20% recorded in May, the […]