“Our reforms deliver smarter regulation of financial services that will unlock growth and opportunity” Last Friday, as temperatures plummeted, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a package of over thirty UK financial services regulatory reforms, dubbed the ‘Edinburgh Reforms,’ which the government intends will ‘unlock investment and turbocharge growth in towns and cities across the UK.’ A […]
Category archives: All
Equity release increase driven by cost-of-living pressures
In recent years, equity release has become an increasingly popular way for older homeowners to unlock cash tied up in their properties. Equity release products enable homeowners over the age of 55 to access equity locked up in their homes while still being able to live in their property. New research suggests that many homeowners […]
Economic Review – November 2022
OBR forecasts long but shallow recession Updated projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the UK is facing a long but relatively shallow recession which will see households hit by a record drop in living standards. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest forecasts during his Autumn Statement delivered to the […]
News in Review
“Even before the recent increases in mortgage rates, affordability was becoming more stretched across the UK” UK house prices fell by 1.4% month-on-month in November, according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index released last Thursday, the biggest monthly drop since June 2020. At £263,788, the non-seasonally adjusted November average price was 4.4% higher on […]
Residential Property Review – November 2022
More Stamp Duty changes in Autumn Statement Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on 17 November left housing out of the limelight, though it did include a commitment to keep the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes announced in the ‘mini-budget’ – for now. In September, then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng increased the nil-rate threshold of SDLT to […]
Commercial Property Market Review – November 2022
Weakening outlook for commercial property The Q3 2022 RICS UK Commercial Property Survey reveals a picture of weakening market activity, with 81% of respondents now considering the market to be in downturn. Headline expectations for rents and capital values were in negative territory in Q3. Prime office rents are expected to remain broadly flat in […]
News in Review
“Black Friday is still an important milestone in the retail calendar” On Friday, retailers received a boost from deal-seeking shoppers who defied fears of a dampened event to spend more than in 2021. Amid inflationary pressures and cost-of-living concerns, Black Friday – historically the biggest online spending day before Christmas – saw a 3.2% increase […]
Finding your ‘happy place’ in retirement
If you’re in Wiltshire and about to retire, you’re doing it in the right place. This is according to an online search engine1 that helps retirees and their families find the best retirement communities and care homes. The research found that Google searches for ‘retirement homes in Wiltshire’ have soared by 150% in the last […]
Pensions update
Recently released research1 suggests UK consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about pensions and prepared to take a greater role in preparing for retirement. Other research2, however, shows significant sums are still sat in ‘lost’ pensions, while experts have warned about potential pension-related problems as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Pensions knowledge improving A survey conducted by […]
News in Review
“A balanced plan for stability” Last Thursday, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt set out his plan to “tackle the cost-of-living crisis and rebuild our economy” in his first Autumn Statement. Striking a defiant tone, the Chancellor said that he was “taking difficult decisions”, while emphasising that the government’s priorities are “stability, growth and public […]