Latest Insights

Spring Budget 2024: Winners and Losers

Spring Budget 2024: Winners and Losers

At 12.30pm today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the UK Spring Budget, as well as the economic and…

Mar 6, 2024

Insight Archive

Make the most of your income by taking advantage of the tax allowances available to you

Jan 2, 2024

Did you know that tax breaks could help boost your salary, savings and investments? It’s easy to miss out on their full benefits as tax can be complex. But with help from your adviser, you can explore the following tax allowances in more detail. For married couples or those in a civil partnership You might be able to take advantage of the marriage tax allowance. It allows one half of…

5 practical ways to make your pension go further during the cost of living crisis

Oct 6, 2023

Household bills have increased rapidly during the past year. The current cost of living crisis began with the Covid pandemic, causing problems for economies around the world and creating global supply chain delays followed by the war in Ukraine. Following such an extended period of price rises, you may be concerned about your household finances and long-term plans. If you are retired or about to retire and rely on a…

More than a decade of auto-enrolment

Sep 8, 2023

Since the government introduced pension auto-enrolment in 2012, millions more workers have started saving for their retirement. Now, the government has confirmed plans to extend auto-enrolment to encourage a savings boost. The changes could have implications for both employees and business owners. Following a review of auto-enrolment the government has revealed key reforms forecast to increase pension contributions by £2 billion a year. Key auto-enrolment changes to be aware of…

Key Dates For Your Finances 2022

Apr 19, 2022

Key Dates For Your Finances 2022 Now’s a good time to make sure your fully prepared for the financial year ahead. To make it easy we’ve summarised the key dates and facts and figures below. 1 April National Living Wage (for age 23+) rises from £8.91 to £9.50 National Minimum Wage rises to £9.18 (for 21-22-year olds), £6.83 (for 18-20-year olds), £4.81 (for 16-17-year olds) and £4.81 (for apprentices under…

Myths About Retirement

Mar 17, 2022

When it comes to retirement, there are some ideas that can turn out to be quite different when you examine them closely. We explore five of them. 1. You can live off the state pension alone The current basic state pension is £137.60 per week, or £179.60 for the new state pension if you were born on or after 6 April 1951 (for a man) and on or after 6…

Autumn Budget highlights

Nov 2, 2021

Autumn Budget highlights In Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s second financial statement this year, there were few surprises as he looks to fix the economy following the pandemic. With inflation climbing and interest rate rises on the horizon, Britain is at a critical period in terms of its economic future. Multiple lockdowns caused the UK economy to slump by 10% while the government spent more than £100 billion supporting jobs. Now the…

Investment Update – Energy shortages and supply disruptions continue

Nov 2, 2021

Investment Update – Energy shortages and supply disruptions continue Stock markets bounced back in October despite an unsettled month due to global supply disruptions and energy shortages. Financial markets were unsettled in October for a number of reasons. They include soaring energy prices due to the global shortage of natural gas supplies and high demand in Asia. Markets became calmer after Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that his country could…

Social Care Reforms

Sep 15, 2021

INTRODUCTION The question of how to fund social care is one that has dogged politicians of all parties for decades. On entering Downing Street in July 2019, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “…we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all, and with a clear plan we have prepared…”. On Tuesday 7 September 2021, details of that plan finally emerged. THE SOCIAL CARE PROPOSALS The government’s…

Investment Update – Dicing with the delta variant

Aug 27, 2021

Investment Update – Dicing with the delta variant With the UK leading the way in lifting its pandemic restrictions, the coronavirus Delta variant has put many countries on edge. Nations experiencing a surge in the Delta variant of the coronavirus are in a race between vaccinating a majority of the public and getting ahead of the new strain in order to lift restrictions with confidence. The US, UK and EU…

How to plan for inheritance tax

Jul 18, 2021

How to plan for inheritance tax Following the news that thousands more people are expected to pay the standard 40% inheritance tax this year because of the effects of the pandemic, we explore some of the ways to navigate the complexities of inheritance tax. The complex laws around inheritance tax (IHT) caught many people off guard during the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with the often-sudden loss of a loved one came…

Load More