News and Views


Keeping you up to date with what matters.

24 Jul 2024
Caring for Grandchildren

Caring for Grandchildren

Around one in five grandparents over the age of 50 in the UK provide childcare help for their grandchildren, but thousands may be missing out on a valuable scheme that could increase their State Pension entitlement[1]. Soaring childcare costs mean many parents turn to grandparents to look after their children when they return to work….

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25 Jun 2024
Employee preferences in workplace pension selection

Employee preferences in workplace pension selection

Recent developments have seen the government introduce a Lifetime Provider model for workplace pensions, a move that has sparked considerable interest and debate. Findings from a recent survey reveal a striking preference among employees for their employers to take the lead in selecting their workplace pension provider. A significant 69% of respondents favour this approach,…

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13 Jun 2024
Mind over matter

Mind over matter

In the world of investing, where numbers and market analyses typically dominate, a crucial element often remains veiled in the backdrop – our behaviour. Behavioural investing emerges as a pivotal field, merging the realms of finance and psychology to scrutinise how our emotions, cognitive biases, backgrounds and world views intricately influence our investment decisions. It…

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11 Jun 2024
Supporting Joey’s Journey

Supporting Joey’s Journey

Each year, our team choose a charity to support throughout the next 12 month period.  Back in Spring 2023, we chose the Children’s Cancer & Leukaemia Group (CCLG) – specifically the Joey’s Journey Fund. Joey was born in 2020 and was very quickly diagnosed with congenital glioblastoma – a brain tumour.  Joey needed emergency surgery…

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28 May 2024
Enhancing pension contributions for a brighter future

Enhancing pension contributions for a brighter future

As we embark on the new tax year, it presents an opportune moment to review your pension sav­ings strategy, setting a solid foundation for future financial stability. Early attention to your private pension at the onset of the fiscal year is not just about cultivating beneficial saving habits; it’s also about ensuring you fully exploit…

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16 May 2024
Changes to Individual Savings Accounts in 2024

Changes to Individual Savings Accounts in 2024

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) offer a versatile and tax-efficient way to save for the future, whether for yourself, your children or grandchildren. Now that we have entered the new financial year, on 6 April 2024, significant changes to ISAs have been introduced.  Since 6 April, savers and investors have had a more flexible approach to…

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7 May 2024
Salary Exchange: It’s a no-brainer, so why not?

Salary Exchange: It’s a no-brainer, so why not?

Finding an employer with a healthy attitude towards their employees shouldn’t be difficult. There’s a growing archive of studies showing that a valued workforce is more productive and loyal to inform those who are not philanthropic in nature that their staff ought to be a priority. And it is true at this time of low…

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30 Apr 2024
Proactive retirement planning

Proactive retirement planning

A recent study reveals a promising trend among 45-54-year-olds in the UK[1]. Six out of ten individuals in this age group are actively working towards bolstering their retirement savings[2]. These mid-lifers are prioritising their future financial stability, implementing changes in their current spending habits to ensure they can support themselves later in life. The measures…

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22 Apr 2024
Go Green for Earth Day

Go Green for Earth Day

April each year is Earth Month, with Earth Day taking place today, April 22nd. This is all about raising awareness and encouraging action to support environmental projects and initiatives. But, if we are serious about combating climate change and its impacts, then more and more of us need to get on board and actively engage….

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16 Apr 2024
The gift of giving

The gift of giving

In the unfortunate event of one’s passing, there’s a possibility that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) may levy an Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill on the deceased’s estate. The estate’s total value determines the sum due after deducting any debts and applying all possible thresholds. Two thresholds that come into play are the nil rate band…

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