In the current climate, we understand that you may be feeling worried about your work, your finances and what the future holds. Research carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that, since the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), over 25 million people have experienced ‘high’ levels of anxiety[1]. Professional financial advice…
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One thing retirement is not, is an age. Not anymore anyway. Gone are the days of being told to stop working one day and pick up your state pension the next. Today you have new pension freedoms to decide when and how you retire. Pension freedoms in 2015 fundamentally changed the rules for cashing…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warns that there are now “27.7 million adults in the UK with characteristics of vulnerability.” Examples of vulnerability include poor health, such as cognitive impairment, life events, such as bereavement or new caring responsibilities, low resilience to cope with financial or emotional upsets and low capability, such as poor literacy…
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On some counts this Budget was Rishi Sunak’s 15th major announcement since his first Budget, just under a year ago. During this period, the pandemic has dominated the Chancellor’s actions and this was true of his latest Budget. To no small degree the framework for Mr Sunak’s latest appearance at the despatch box had been…
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If you hold a Cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) you may be dissatisfied with the low rates of interest you receive, which could make it difficult to grow your money even at a rate that keeps pace with inflation. A Stocks & Shares ISAs offers the possibility of higher returns than Cash ISAs, but only…
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As the year draws to a close, I thought I would put my thoughts to paper once again. The strange parallel is that the last time I wrote a blog it was a beautiful spring day at the start of the pandemic, and now here we are several months later. Almost unbelievably, the restrictions are…
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In line with current UK Government restrictions regarding the Covid-19 Pandemic, our offices remain closed. Our colleagues are working from home and continue to provide services and maintain regular communications with all our clients. Should you wish to speak with us, please continue to use the main telephone number of 01382 797600 and your call…
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The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has spent so much time in the spotlight that it seems hard to believe he has not yet been in the job for five months. Yesterday’s Financial Statement was just the latest of a series of announcements by Mr Sunak since he presented his Spring Budget on 11 March, four weeks…
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This week is the 25th anniversary of the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). So, I thought it appropriate to indulge a little in its history and success. I remember its launch well, as I had been responsible for a couple of investments on one of its forebears, the Unlisted Securities Market (USM). Back in 1995 it…
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The Coronavirus pandemic is having a significant impact on our society and the way we go about our lives, and you will have no doubt seen on the news the many issues arising, ranging from the lack of PPE supplies for front-line workers to the consumer rush on hand sanitiser and toilet rolls. Unfortunately, it is…
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