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... Learn More
Investment Update July 2021: Almost fully open for business
June saw a delay to the planned reopening of UK business and services, a drop in unemployment and some promising world economic news. June brought... Learn More
Protect your possessions with accidental damage cover
Insurance claims for accidental damage increased over the past year as more people worked from home, so it’s a good time to check your own... Learn More
Should we be concerned about rising inflation?
Most economists expect inflation to pick up over the next few months as lockdown restrictions ease and shops and restaurants reopen. But is this a... Learn More
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,... Learn More
Time to consolidate your pensions?
Employer pensions can accumulate as we change jobs, and it’s easy to lose track of how much each one contains. We explore what you need... Learn More
Investment Update June 2021: Inflation rises, along with commodity prices
The combined economic effects of stimulus measures, inflation and increased spending all contributed to an eventful month. In May, vaccine rollouts gathered pace and pandemic-based... Learn More
Turning ‘generation rent’ into ‘generation buy’
Lenders are now offering a government-backed 95% mortgage scheme to help more first-time buyers onto the property ladder.The government is hoping to turn ‘generation rent’... Learn More
What’s in a name?
We explore what makes an emerging market and why they can offer attractive investment opportunities. For example, South Korea is one of the world’s largest... Learn More
Unlocking the value in your home
The number of people using equity release schemes fell last year as older homeowners grew more cautious. Older homeowners seemed to be more reluctant to... Learn More
Don’t lose out to inflation
Putting your hard-earned cash into savings accounts may not be the most efficient way to make your money work for you. If you’ve been placing... Learn More
Investment Update May 2021: A positive outlook
The economic recovery is gathering momentum as the pandemic recedes and successful vaccination programmes continue to roll out on both sides of the Atlantic. April... Learn More
Protect your peace of mind when moving home
Moving home can be a hectic and exciting time, but don’t forget about protection – taking out the appropriate policies can save you a lot... Learn More
The perks of protection
The perks of protection As well as peace of mind, many insurance providers offer additional benefits that you may not know about. Whether we’re crossing... Learn More
The power to change the world
The power to change the world Ethical and sustainable investing are both popular and it’s useful to understand the difference between the two approaches. Investing... Learn More
Investment Update April 2021: Springing into action
Springing into action Successful vaccination programmes are rolling out on both sides of the Atlantic, pointing to a brighter economic outlook. The US and UK... Learn More
The key areas of Tax Day
In mid-February the Treasury announced that “To allow for more transparency and scrutiny, documents and consultations that would traditionally be published at a Budget will be published... Learn More
Use it or lose it
The current tax year ends on 5 April 2021, so now’s a good time to make sure your finances are in order and book an... Learn More
Investment Update March 2021: Great expectations
With hopes rising about vaccines and the end of lockdowns, could we see a rise in inflation when the economy reopens? As vaccines continue to... Learn More
Budget 2021 highlights
Rishi Sunak has had to make some tough decisions as he balances tackling the health crisis, securing an economic recovery and looking ahead to fixing... Learn More
Budget 2021 – Key points
To the casual observer, the first Budget of 2021 appeared to have been fully revealed before the Chancellor even reached the despatch box. The relentless... Learn More
Get mortgage fit for 2021
Estimates suggest that well over one million borrowers have lapsed onto their lender’s default standard variable rate (SVR). Has this happened to you? If so,... Learn More
Investment Update February 2021: Heading in the right direction
Despite rising coronavirus cases and increased lockdown measures, there was a renewed sense of optimism about the global recovery as we said goodbye to 2020... Learn More
‘No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow’
As we entered the new year with further lockdowns and history making world events, the hope of spring hangs in the air, an enticing prospect,... Learn More
Could you live on the State Pension?
Let’s be honest, on the morning of 21 October few of us were waiting with bated breath as the latest UK inflation stats were revealed.... Learn More
Preparing emotionally for retirement
You’ve retired from work, you’ve waved a cheerful goodbye to your colleagues and you’re ready for the rest and relaxation you so rightly deserve. It’s... Learn More
How do I prove my income for a mortgage?
With Covid-19 rules changing almost daily, extensions to furloughs and local and national lockdowns many are facing money worries this winter. If you’re trying to... Learn More
Could you live on the State Pension?
Could you live on the State Pension? Let’s be honest, on the morning of 21 October few of us were waiting with bated breath as... Learn More
Happy 21st to the ISA
Happy 21st to the ISA An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax wrapper for your money. There are two main types available depending on... Learn More
2020 spending review at a glance
2020 spending review at a glance Forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) show the economy will contract by 11.3% this year It may... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad? For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is... Learn More
Mortgage Payment Holiday Update November 2020
On 17 November the FCA confirmed guidance for homeowners struggling financially due to coronavirus. The mortgage payment holidays scheme, first announced in March and then... Learn More
Getting mortgage-ready
Buying a home takes careful preparation and planning. As well as finding a property you like, you need to get your finances in good order before... Learn More
Markets react positively to election news
Markets react positively to election news After days of tension, news came in over the weekend that Joe Biden won the key battleground of Pennsylvania,... Learn More
Protecting your business in difficult times
Protecting your business in difficult times During the past few months, millions of businesses have been forced to shut temporarily, with employees furloughed or working... Learn More
US Election 2020
US Election 2020 The office of US President carries huge influence all over the world and, as a result, the way the American electorate votes... Learn More
Home insurance add-ons explained
Home insurance add-ons explained The cover provided by a home insurance policy can vary depending on the insurer. You can usually ‘add-on’ extra cover for... Learn More
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced... Learn More
Exchanging contracts? Get insured first
Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are... Learn More
Flexible insurance for when you need it
Flexible insurance for when you need it It’s all too easy for us to put our head in the sand when it comes to thinking... Learn More
Are you approaching retirement?
If you are nearing retirement, you may have been particularly worried about the impact of recent market volatility on your pension assets and perhaps you... Learn More
Mortgage affordability in a post-COVID world
Back in March, the Bank of England slashed interest rates to an all-time low of 0.1%, in a bid to alleviate the severe economic pressure... Learn More
2020: The story so far
2020 The story so far Little did we know, as we entered a new decade, what was in store for the global economy in 2020.... Learn More
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you... Learn More
Life insurance – Mind the Gap
With policies like home insurance or car insurance, we’re all in the habit of reviewing our cover annually. With a life insurance policy potentially lasting... Learn More
Protecting you and your family
Losing your partner at any stage in life can be devastating, but it may be particularly devastating when children are involved because of the financial... Learn More
Keep your pension planning on track
The coronavirus outbreak is having a widespread impact across all aspects of our financial life, with many people finding their income reduced. At times like... Learn More
Home improvements to add value to your home
Evidence suggests that many more of us are putting down roots and choosing to stay in our current homes for longer. The average time a... Learn More
Investing for Children – The Junior ISA
There was welcome news for young savers in the March Budget with the government announcing the Junior ISA (JISA) allowance was to be more than... Learn More
Check your existing income protection policy
Insurance brokers have reported an increase in enquiries about income protection cover since the pandemic outbreak, with people concerned about becoming ill and being unable... Learn More
Pension planning for the self-employed
There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider... Learn More
Now could be a good time to remortgage
Mortgage rates are now at record low levels, following two Bank of England rate cuts in March to bring the base rate down to 0.1%.... Learn More
What you need to know about self-build mortgages
If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent... Learn More
Spotlight on Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trusts
Complex tax-efficient investments such as Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) are a consideration for those who may be able to tolerate... Learn More
It’s time to think about life insurance
If you have dependents – people who rely on you financially – then you should have life insurance. In fact, if you have dependents and... Learn More
What is cashflow modelling?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Financial planning is all about preparing for those things that may... Learn More
Are you engaged with ‘good’ investing?
Socially Responsible Investing and Environmental, Social and Governance Investing explained. Social and environmental change is accelerating at pace, with climate change one of the biggest... Learn More
Coming to terms with market turbulence
Coming to terms with market turbulence As a direct consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak, global stock markets are suffering a period of turbulence. When markets... Learn More
Is Joint Life Cover Best For Couples?
If you want to help make sure your loved ones will have financial security if you pass away, life insurance cover is the answer. But,... Learn More
Conservative Election Victory
The Conservatives look set to form the next Government, extending their period in office for another five years. The number one priority of the new... Learn More
All about ISAs
In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA... Learn More
Investing for the next generation
In the early years this might translate into a surplus of toys or days out, but this stage eventually passes, and thoughts turn towards the... Learn More
The factors influencing your pension choices
Planning the best way to draw your pension savings is not straightforward, after all, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to retirement.... Learn More
Take control of your investments
Getting a clear, concise view of your investment portfolio can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why we use a secure, online system known as a... Learn More
How will changing working patterns affect your pension?
The sooner you start saving, the healthier your pension pot is likely to be when you need to draw on it. But what happens to... Learn More
NEED HELP TO BUY?
Do you aspire to own a new-build home? Are you looking to move home, but lack sufficient funds to afford the repayments on a low-deposit... Learn More
Why active investing is more effective in volatile markets
A glance at the performance of the major stock indices in 2018 shows that volatility was a common theme. US equities followed an upward –... Learn More
How a trust can help your financial planning
Writing a policy in Trust could be perceived as something that only the wealthy require, but the reality is Trusts can play an important part... Learn More
Helping you to save
Help to Save is a government savings account aimed at an estimated 3.5m people on low incomes. The scheme pays a bonus of 50p for... Learn More
Financial top tips for service personnel
Service personnel and their families can find it difficult to access commercial products and services because of the time spent outside of the UK. The... Learn More
The value of protection advice
Protection should be considered as the foundation of all financial planning. After all, if things go awry and you suddenly find yourself in dire financial... Learn More
How to prepare financially for long-term illness
While British life expectancy continues to rise, the same might not be said for the quality of health we could expect to enjoy as we... Learn More
First-time buyers: Boost your mortgage chances
You’ve decided to take the plunge and get onto the property ladder, having swapped fun and frivolity for fastidious frugalness to save the deposit. But... Learn More
Confused about pension planning?
With more UK employees saving for their retirement than ever you could argue that Automatic Enrolment has been a success since its launch six years... Learn More
Standard Variable Rate
The average homeowner moving from a specific mortgage deal onto their mortgage provider’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) could save more than £2,500 a year in... Learn More
The difference between value and growth investing
Warren Buffet, sometimes known as the sage of Omaha, once claimed he preferred to “to buy a wonderful company at a fair price”. What he... Learn More
How a trust can help your financial planning
Writing a policy in Trust could be perceived as something that only the wealthy require, but the reality is Trusts can play an important part... Learn More
What’s stopping you from saving
Generally speaking, and subject to investment charges and performance, the more you save and the earlier you start saving the better shape your finances are... Learn More
The cost of retirement
How much money do you think you’ll need to receive each year of your retirement? According to the investment manager Schroders, working people in the... Learn More
The search for a reliable retirement income
It’s been over three years since the April 2015 pensions changes which scrapped compulsory annuities and gave pensioners greater choice over how to take their... Learn More
2018 Q2 Report
We’ve scoured the global news headlines to recap the most significant geopolitical and economic events which took place in the second quarter of 2018, as... Learn More
Auto enrolment contributions
The introduction of automatic enrolment in 2012 has led to a record high in pension participation, with more than 9.5 million people enrolled through the... Learn More
Are you thinking of downsizing?
According to a survey by Lloyds Bank, 45 per cent of empty nesters have no plans to downsize, despite the potential windfall moving to a... Learn More
Advice matters – whatever stage in life you’re at
The financial products and services we need to navigate through life will change with our circumstances. In the early years, our financial needs are likely... Learn More
The value of investment advice
Let’s be honest. Seeking advice on how to look after your money may not be as fun as the immediate thrill of spending it, but... Learn More
Don’t fall for a pension scam
Frank Field, Labour MP and chair of an influential parliamentary committee, has called for legislative action to help keep pension savings safe. This comes after... Learn More
Securing your company’s future
Business Protection is a crucial element in a company’s financial future, but how many have cover in place? According to a study from Legal &... Learn More
Freehold or leasehold: the ins and outs
When buying a property, you can do so either on a leasehold or freehold basis and there are important differences to be aware of before... Learn More
Going, going, gone to the auction!
If you think property auctions are only for professional property developers or investors think again. They can be a great place to pick up a... Learn More
Financial wellbeing in retirement
Financial wellbeing is an important factor when it comes to being able to enjoy life. While we’re earning, it’s possible to secure the living standards... Learn More
With protection comes choice
How many times have you heard the phrase “It won’t happen to me” when it comes to the chances of suffering a serious illness? Unfortunately,... Learn More
What’s your General Insurance start date?
When you’re in the process of buying a house, you might think the best time for your Home Insurance cover to kick in is on... Learn More
The path ahead for the global economy
Much has happened to keep us busy in 2018 so far, but there’s plenty to come in the second half of the year in terms... Learn More
The importance of diversification
With ISA season comes the usual fanfare in the money pages about which investments will deliver the best returns – peppered with the usual important... Learn More
It happened to him
Don’t let the ‘it won’t happen to me’ approach affect your decision on whether or not to take out critical illness cover. David thought he... Learn More
Auto-enrolment update
It’s reasonable to suggest that auto enrolment has been a major success story. In fact, more than 1 million employers and 9 million employees have... Learn More
Is now the right time to fix?
November 2017 saw the Bank of England raise interest rates for the first time in a decade, from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent,... Learn More