IHT receipts topped £6.3bn in the eight months to December, a £600m increase on the same period the previous year OBR predicts IHT receipts will continue their ascent, forecasting total receipts of £9.7bn a year by 2028/29 Factors including a rise in asset values and frozen thresholds are contributing to rising receipts HM Revenue and […]
Category archives: General Financial News
Positioning portfolios in a protectionist world
US Vice President JD Vance spelled it out in Munich – “there is a new sheriff in town” – and that sheriff’s policies are already having far-reaching consequences. While dealing with geopolitical uncertainties is clearly nothing new for long-term investors, Trump’s re-election has once again vividly highlighted the need for a sound investment approach based […]
Money – In the news
Child Trust Funds still unclaimed Some 728,000 people who have recently turned 18 have not claimed their Child Trust Fund, figures1 show, with the total value of unclaimed money amounting to £1.4bn. Many eligible young people do not know that their account exists, campaigners say. MPs are urging more action from HMRC to inform potential […]
Investment megatrends for 2025 and beyond
Megatrends are powerful, long-term shifts, which are already changing the way we live and work Today, trends such as AI, defence spending, changing energy supplies and demographics, are evident While markets fluctuate daily, megatrends are shaping the future, creating exciting opportunities Investing megatrends are powerful, long-term shifts expected to reshape industries, economies and investment markets […]
Your pension and IHT
By Q3, the government is expected to provide implementation guidance on how pensions and death benefits will be treated Any changes are likely to have the greatest impact on people with established estate plans As proposals are not finalised, it’s wise to consider potential implications but await the final guidance before overhauling plans Chancellor Rachel […]
Kickstart the new tax year with confidence
With the new tax year allowances in place, now is the time to make smart financial decisions Taking time to review and refine your financial plan can help you stay on track for the future Ensure you’re making the most of the opportunities available – your future self will thank you! The beginning of the […]
Start the new tax year strong
With the new tax year allowances in place, now is the time to make smart financial decisions Taking time to review and refine your financial plan can help you stay on track for the future Ensure you’re making the most of the opportunities available – your future self will thank you! The new tax year […]
Time for a spring clean? How about ‘death cleaning’ your finances?
Financial ‘death cleaning’ helps simplify finances, reduce clutter, and ensure loved ones aren’t left with financial burdens Key steps include closing unused accounts, updating documents, maximizing tax efficiency, and reviewing investments Open conversations with family about financial plans support intergenerational wealth planning and a smooth legacy transfer Could your finances benefit from a spring clean? […]
Advised investors are ‘less vulnerable’
Investors who receive financial advice are four times less likely to be vulnerable than the general population, according to analysis1. The study looked at a cohort of more than 5,000 advised investors, assessing them using a psychometric financial wellbeing questionnaire. Designed by an in-house behavioural psychologist, the questionnaire was designed to find and evaluate indicators […]
Pension pulse – a reminder for ‘25
Aside from the change announced about bringing unused pension pots into IHT from April 2027, other announcements relating to pensions were thin on the ground during the Budget speech. The Chancellor confirmed that the State Pension will increase in line with average earnings, rising by 4.1% in April 2025. The new flat rate State Pension […]