‘Breathing space’, ‘small wins’, ‘steady as she goes’. The language accompanying this year’s Budget is distinctly different from last year’s. After two Budgets which raised over £67 billion in taxes, a new chancellor and prime minister were always unlikely to aim for a big revenue-raising hat trick for their first fiscal event. They were helped…
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For years, savers have been promised a simpler way to track their pension savings. The concept is straightforward: instead of searching through old paperwork, logging in to multiple providers or trying to remember where a former employer’s pension scheme is held, you could eventually see your pension information securely in one place. That is the…
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Raising a child is a major financial commitment, with costs beginning long before school age. The latest figures from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) estimate the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 at £250,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a lone parent[1]. Its 2025 ‘Cost of a Child’ report also…
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Retirement is one of life’s major milestones, bringing greater freedom but also a significant change in routine. After decades of working, it can take time to adjust to having fewer commitments and more choice over how you spend each day. For some, leaving a career can bring a sense of loss or uncertainty, particularly if…
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For many families, gifting money to children or grandchildren is simply a way to help with everyday costs or to give them a financial head start. However, new research suggests that almost three quarters (72%) of UK adults do not realise that regular gifts funded by spare or surplus income can be immediately exempt from…
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Nearly three quarters of UK adults (72%) do not realise that money regularly gifted from spare or excess income is immediately exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations, according to new research[1]. This lack of awareness means many households may already be making qualifying gifts without understanding the potential tax advantages available to them. According to…
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Andy Burnham entered No 10 (South) on Monday 20 July promising a different style of government from his predecessor, while still keeping to the same 2024 Labour manifesto script. His elevation to Prime Minister helpfully came four days after the House of Commons started its summer recess, sparing him any parliamentary scrutiny until September. Burnham’s…
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As changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules take effect, many investors may be seeking alternative ways to protect their wealth and pass more of it on to future generations. With tax allowances becoming less generous and estate-planning challenges mounting, offshore bonds are attracting renewed interest among individuals seeking greater flexibility…
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Many people assume that building meaningful wealth requires large sums of money from the outset. In reality, one of the most powerful forces in personal finance is something far simpler: time. When paired with consistent saving and investing, compound growth can turn modest contributions into substantial long-term wealth. This principle is often referred to as…
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Imagine waking up tomorrow unable to work because of an illness or injury. While many people focus on protecting their home, car or possessions, few consider what would happen if their income suddenly stopped. Yet for most households, regular earnings underpin everyday living costs, mortgage repayments, bills and future financial plans. A prolonged absence from…
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