News

The government has announced that tuition fees in England are once again on an upward trajectory. Tuition Fees on Track to Hit £10,000 In October, the UK Government unveiled a series of reforms for post-16 education. The headline announcement was … Continue reading →

As 2026 approaches, how will you keep your finances on track? With New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, many people won’t return to work until Monday, 5 January, giving you time to recover from the celebrations and set some … Continue reading →

The government has launched a consultation on a new way to draw pension benefits. Unless you work for Royal Mail, you may not have come across Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pension schemes. Think of CDC as a middle ground between: … Continue reading →

This year’s Budget almost became a winter affair, landing on 26 November after months of speculation. The Chancellor’s first Budget in October 2024 aimed to plug a £22 billion gap with revenue-saving measures. Her second Budget, just four weeks before … Continue reading →

New figures from HMRC reveal that the total value of unclaimed Child Trust Funds (CTFs) has now exceeded £1.5 billion. CTFs were introduced in January 2005 by the Labour government as a way to encourage long-term saving for children. However, … Continue reading →

HMRC is currently sending letters to taxpayers, urging them to check their dividend totals. You may have received a letter that begins like this: “Dear XX Please make sure your tax return included all your dividend income. We’re writing to … Continue reading →

According to HMRC data for the 2023/24 tax year, subscriptions to cash ISAs have surged, growing approximately 224% more than those to stocks and shares ISAs by the end of the decade. Source HMRC The Chancellor has long considered reforms … Continue reading →

A recent report has highlighted some surprising contradictions in how people think about retirement. Participants were asked two key questions: At what age would you like to retire? At what age do you think you’ll actually be able to retire? … Continue reading →

As we approach the final quarter of 2025, investment performance may not be aligning with initial forecasts. Source: Investing.com FT Alphaville’s Friday Quiz vs. Real-World Market Trends Every Friday, FT Alphaville, the Financial Times’ daily blog, hosts a light-hearted competition … Continue reading →

The figures needed to calculate next April’s State pension increase are now in place, and they point to a growing issue that’s likely to be postponed until the 2026 Budget.  Source: DWP, HMR  How State Pension Increases Are Set  The … Continue reading →

A recent survey has highlighted a worrying lack of awareness among the public about upcoming pension changes, and the importance of planning ahead.  While media coverage is focused on what surprises might emerge in the November Budget, new research suggests … Continue reading →

As the Autumn Budget draws near, UK government bonds, commonly known as gilts, are once again under the spotlight. The term gilts may sound confusing, but it has historical significance: Originally, government bonds were printed on gilt-edged paper. More importantly, … Continue reading →

Are you thinking about withdrawing a lump sum from your pension ahead of the Autumn Budget? One of the key tax advantages of pension savings is the ability to take up to 25% of your pension pot as a tax-free … Continue reading →