IntroductionA New Year gives us the chance to look forward. We can expect more change in 2025 for personal finances, with a new Labour budget laid out and a returning President in the US. 2024 was a year of speculation and political change across the world, with President Trump and the Labour Party the key […]
A survey of over 1500 investors by AJ Bell in December showed that a quarter of those surveyed had either already withdrawn money to help financially support family or friends (15%) or were thinking about it (a further 10%). 76% had gifted sums over £2000. Unsurprisingly the most common reason for this was to help […]
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written to more than 10 major UK regulators to challenge them to unleash growth in the UK economy. The Prime Minister has challenged major regulators such as the City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), energy regulator Ofgem and water regulator Ofwat to come up with ways to encourage economic […]
As we enter 2025, many people will be setting New Year’s resolutions. How serious they take them, and how long they last, depend on each persons will and motivation but many surveys report familiar themes. Some surveys show differences between different age groups. The differences reflect where they are in life and the issues and […]
Overall Market Backdrop, December: Rising inflation in the UK contributed to Bank of England (BoE) holding rates at 4.75% Global equities fall over December, driven by U.S stock sell-off China signals shift to “moderately loose” monetary policy Click here to read more
IntroductionThe US election provided another definitive moment in what has been a politically charged year. With many countries holding elections in 2024, analysts have been second guessing what markets will do for some time. Whether Trump is popular outside the US is debatable, but his election victory was convincing and markets have responded positively so […]
Blended families are formed when two people live together with children from previous relationships. They are increasingly common in the UK, and can work extremely well. However it is worth considering the estate planning implications. It is possible to accidentally leave family members without any inheritance due to a lack of planning or appropriate legal […]
Labour’s new policy on inheritance tax means that more estates could pay inheritance tax (IHT) in future. Whilst there are plenty of legitimate ways to reduce an IHT liability, there’s one which we often forget despite it being very simple. That’s giving money to your loved ones. Although gifting is simple, and might be something […]
With Christmas looming and President Elect, Donald Trump, promising the introduction of greater trade tariffs, the toy manufacturing industry is in a rush to move away from Chinese factories. Whilst news of greater tariffs under Trump has created more urgency, this isn’t a new problem. Toy giants such as Mattel and Hasbro have been trying […]
Overall Market Backdrop, November: Trump wins the 2024 U.S presidential election Ukraine strikes Russia with U.S made long-range missiles UK inflation rises while interest rates are reduced to 4.75% Click here to read more