When many people hear the words “estate planning”, they immediately think of very wealthy people with country homes, investment portfolios, or big family businesses. But estate planning is something that affects almost everyone, regardless of their wealth. Whether you own a house, have some savings, or simply want to make life easier for your loved …
Inflation and economic growth were the two key themes which politicians, global economists and central bankers grappled with in September. There is an almost unprecedented interest in economic indicators in 2025, perhaps because of the unchartered economic territories Trump has pushed the world into. Not all these indicators are reliable predictors of the future. So, …
The pound slipped in value against both the US dollar and the euro last month, with markets reacting to concerns over economic growth and interest rate expectations. Unfortunately, these shifts are not just abstract market movements, when the pound falls it has a tangible impact on individual finances. A weaker currency affects everything from the …
UK inflation climbed to 3.8% in July 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is up from 3.6% in June and was driven by food price increases in items such as beef, orange juice, and coffee, alongside a sharp 30% monthly spike in airfares and …
The UK government collected a record £6.7 billion in inheritance tax during the 2022-23 tax year, driven by rising property and asset values and a static tax-free threshold. According to HM Revenue and Customs, 31,500 estates were liable for inheritance tax in 2022-23, an increase of 13% compared to the previous year. The total tax …
Between April and June this year, HMRC issued refunds amounting to nearly £49 million to pensioners who had overpaid taxes on their pension withdrawals. Approximately 13,000 claims were processed during this period, with each individual receiving an average refund of £3,800. The issue of over-taxation arises from the method HMRC uses to calculate tax on …
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to raise taxes as the UK’s financial “black hole” is now estimated to exceed £50 billion. The left-leaning National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has warned that the Chancellor will need to increase taxes to cover this shortfall. The shortfall comprises £41.2 billion in additional spending commitments, …
Introduction UK equity markets hit new heights in July as the FTSE100 cruised through 9000 despite sluggish GDP growth. President Trump continued to show his more conciliatory side as he delayed tariff deadlines and achieved a relatively soft landing once a deal with the EU was reached. Whilst we will inevitably see some ups and …
Ever more families are facing inheritance tax (IHT) bills as frozen thresholds push more estates into liability. HMRC took £1.5 billion in IHT receipts in the first two months of the current tax year, according to its latest data. This is an uptick of just under £100 million on the comparative period last year (a …
Retirement planning is critical to financial security in later life. There are many considerations over years of preparation that go into ensuring a plan, once made, can work effectively for the long term. This guide is here to help you consider the essential steps and aspects of retirement, whether you’re 10 years, five years, or …
