The last few years have created an increasingly complex backdrop for retirement planning. Not only has the post-pandemic era seen attitudes to work alter significantly, but macro-economic headwinds from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis have created significant unhelpful market volatility. In combination, [...]

After a difficult 2022, with pessimism still abundant at the start of the year, most markets got off to a surprisingly good start in Q1. January and February saw positive returns from most markets and asset classes. March proved rather different with the failure of [...]

A new tax year has begun and with it comes the chance to start your tax planning early, but why rush when there’s almost a year to go? Here are a few reasons: You can take advantage of various tax allowances available for the year, [...]

Residential market update Demand, sales and new listings all remain in negative territory, according to the latest UK Residential Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with agreed sales dropping to -31% this month, below the -25% recorded in February. New buyer enquiries, [...]

Mr Hunt’s first (full) effort was interesting, with some positive surprises and little in the way of negatives. The ambition was considerable, but most of the measures were modest, with little hope of achieving significant results. This Note focuses on the financial planning aspects, but [...]

Housing market continues slowdown According to the latest UK Residential Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) new buyer demand, sales, fresh listings and prices are all on a downward trend. January saw the ninth successive negative monthly reading for new buyer enquiries, [...]

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is once again in the spotlight following the Chancellor’s decision to freeze IHT thresholds for a further two years until April 2028. Extending the frozen thresholds, together with rising house prices and soaring inflation mean that more estates are likely to be [...]

UK growth beats expectations The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics show the economy unexpectedly grew in November easing fears that the UK has already slipped into recession. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the UK economy expanded by 0.1% [...]