Inflation returns?
2025’s first set of inflation numbers were higher than expected, but more rises are coming. The UK has experienced an inflation rollercoaster since the start of this decade, as have many Western economies. In January 2020, the annual increase in the UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 1.8%, but by July 2022 it had crossed […]
Breaking down 2024 inflation
Inflation fell in 2024, dropping to 2.5% from 4.0% in 2023. So why didn’t it feel like that? At the end of 2022, inflation in the UK, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), was 9.2%, having reached a high of 11.1% in the previous October. In 2024, inflation ended the year at 2.5%, […]
Revisiting Inheritance Tax
The Autumn 2024 Budget brought inheritance tax (IHT) into the news headlines, but is its impact understood? Let’s look at an example: A couple have an estate valued at £1.25 million, including their jointly owned home worth £400,000. Their wills leave everything to the survivor on first death and to their children on second death. […]
2024 – a year of growth for investments
What did 2024 bring in terms of growth for investments? The global market outlook showed an improvement in 2024, with the US achieving more than 20% returns for a second consecutive year. Index 2024 change FTSE 100 +5.7% Standard & Poor’s 500 +23.3% Nikkei 225 +19.2% Euro Stoxx 50 (€) +8.3% Shanghai Composite +12.7% MSCI […]
Have you made a tax-planning resolution?
As 2025 gets under way, it’s that time of year again to start considering your tax year-end planning. The traditional drivers have always been the tax year-end (Saturday 5 April 2025) and the Spring Budget – this year though there is no Spring Budget, as Rachel Reeves will deliver a Spring Forecast in late March. […]
Could you have a ‘lost’ pension?
It is estimated there are now over three million ‘lost’ pensions, worth over £31 billion, according to recent research from the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI). The PPI counts a pension as ‘lost’ if the pension’s administrator is unable to contact the owner of that pension. the definition of uncontactable varies between administrators, but it […]
Pensions and IHT: beware April 2027
The announcement in the latest Budget to count pensions as part of your estate for inheritance tax (IHT) is a major change, with potentially significant consequences. Currently, most pension benefits payable on death, whether lump sums or other income, are outside the scope of IHT because they are not considered part of the deceased’s […]
Prestige Award Winner
We’re very excited to share the news that we’ve won a Prestige award, for the third year in a row! We’re so delighted to receive the North England Financial Advisory of the Year award – it’s not every day you get recognised consistently in this highly competitive industry, so we’re very proud of our […]
Top-Tier Financial Advisers: The Value of BS 8577 and ISO 22222 Certifications
When it comes to managing your finances and planning for the future, choosing the right financial adviser is crucial. Among the plethora of advisers available, those who hold BS 8577 and ISO 22222 certifications stand out as the crème de la crème of the industry. These certifications are akin to a Michelin star in the […]
Tips for Investing
Here are 25 tips for effective investment planning: Define Financial Goals Clearly outline short-term and long-term financial goals to guide your investment strategy. Assess Risk Tolerance Understand your risk tolerance to determine the right balance between risk and potential return. Diversify Your Portfolio Spread investments across various asset classes to minimize risk […]
