Get Budget-ready this summer

Summer is the ideal time to review financial goals and investment strategies  Utilising tax allowances now can protect your wealth from future policy changes  Long-term investing remains key, even amid short-term market volatility  Summer should bring a welcome shift in pace: longer days, warmer evenings, time off and the chance for some well-earned rest and …

UK cities see strong property market growth

The UK property market experienced a boost in 2024, with nearly 50% of homes listed receiving offers or selling  Cities like Sunderland, Leicester, and Liverpool saw notable increases in buyer activity, while London’s growth was subdued  Rising buyer confidence, stabilising mortgage rates and positive market conditions are expected to keep demand strong   The UK property …

Bridging the generational wealth gap: securing financial stability

The disparities in wealth accumulation between the generations are striking  Today, younger generations hold just 4% of total UK wealth  Almost half of UK adults worry they won’t have enough saved for retirement  Throughout our lives, we both give and receive support across generations, whether within our families or as part of society. This concept, …

Four in five clients see financial advice as ‘value for money’

82% of advised investors believe they get good value from financial advice, up 10% from last year  96% of advised clients value their adviser’s accessibility, especially during market volatility  Long-term market confidence is higher among advised investors, showing the benefits of expert financial guidance  People with a financial adviser are more optimistic about their financial …

Home Finance – In the news

Older borrowers are increasingly taking out ultra-long mortgages, with a 156% rise in the last five years  Half of UK homes saw price increases in 2024, there’s a clear north-south divide in property values  Rent costs for tenants under 45 hit a record £56.2bn due to rising mortgage rates  Retiring with a mortgage  With a …

Why life insurance matters 

50% of salaried employees and 33% of non-salaried workers lack life insurance  Life insurance covers expenses like mortgages, bills and education costs should the worse happen  Policies can start as low as a few pounds a month, offering affordable protection and peace of mind  Taking out life insurance is a crucial step in protecting what …

HNWIs face gaps in retirement and succession planning

Research shows a third of European HNWIs are yet to make a financial plan for retirement  80% of survey respondents plan to pass wealth to their children, but only 34% have a plan in place  Over half of respondents are focused on growing their wealth through investing in equities  and/or real estate  Many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) …

Flooding puts 6.3 million homes at risk

6.3 million homes face flooding threats, but the dangers are expected to rise significantly due to climate change  4.6 million properties are at risk of surface water flooding, a 43% increase since 2018  Taking proactive steps, including insurance, is key to protecting against flood damage  A recent report from the Environment Agency has revealed that …

Wealth – In the news

Research highlights key differences in wealth transfer preferences and family financial priorities between men and women  Top financial priorities for 2025 include enjoying life (34%), building emergency savings (30%) and pension saving (11%)  AI now accounts for 42.5% of financial fraud attempts, with cases rising 80% over the past three years  Women put children first …

Equity Release – cause for optimism

Over 15,000 active customers and £622m in lending recorded in Q4 2024, up from £525m in Q4 2023  A 3.3% increase in UK house prices contributed to larger loan sizes and improved product availability.   A 27% rise in returning customers using further advances shows growing confidence in equity release  Looking at The Equity Release Council’s …