News

An annual survey from major investment manager Abrdn has provided a snapshot of people who have or plan to retire in 2022. Wherever you are in your retirement planning, the research offers an interesting insight. When do you plan to … Continue reading →

The tax benefits of ISAs can extend to inheritance tax. Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) have three major tax advantages: No UK income tax liability on UK dividends and interest. With frozen tax bands and allowances plus an increase in dividend … Continue reading →

A critical review of how the government taxes child benefits has raised a major question mark over HMRC’s approach to collecting payments. Child benefit tax, or the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) to use its legal name, is a case … Continue reading →

With inflation hitting 6.2% in February and outstripping wage growth, make sure you are paying attention to what’s happening to your money. We explore some ways to help keep your money where it belongs. Tip 1: Make sure you have … Continue reading →

The changes to national insurance contributions (NICs) announced in the Spring Statement in March were not straightforward. Let’s set the record straight. In his Spring Statement – or was it a mini-Budget? – the Chancellor announced several changes to NICs … Continue reading →

One of the defining financial strategies of the last 13 years – quantitative easing – is about to go into reverse. The Bank of England will slowly trim its £9 trillion portfolio throughout 2022, but only time will tell when … Continue reading →

The government is turning the financial screws on student loans and is set to claw back £2.3 billion under the guise of high inflation. These changes pose a significant, and potentially expensive, dilemma for those with student debt. ‘Fiscal drag’ … Continue reading →

Divorce will become easier thanks to a change in the law from 6 April, but even with a more amicable split, financial advice is still vital. Divorce rules in England and Wales will soon undergo their most radical reform since … Continue reading →

A new wealth tax to counter the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic was the talk of the financial pages not so long ago. Now it has disappeared… or has it? By the end of 2020, as the huge cost of … Continue reading →

The invasion of Ukraine has shaken emotions and certainties as the world watches a growing humanitarian disaster. The reactions of global markets, which had misread President Putin’s strategy as much as many politicians, were similarly sent into crisis mode. On … Continue reading →

New research shows that UK dividend payments rebounded strongly in 2021, but still remain below their pre-pandemic level. The experience of the last two years holds important lessons for investors. 2020 was a grim year for anyone who relied on … Continue reading →

House prices rose by around 10% in 2021 – their fastest pace in 15 years – but that is no guarantee of what may come in 2022. Relying on bricks and mortar to boost your finances may no longer be … Continue reading →