Rising interest rates, soaring costs for consumers and businesses and fears of a recession – it’s a jungle out there for people who are trying to make ends meet. Nowhere does that have a more visible and direct impact than on the high street, and new research by the Local Data Company for PwC shows […]
Typically, a person who receives a state pension will have made 35 years’ worth of National Insurance contributions. But there will always be people who haven’t and will therefore miss out. You might have been off work for several years because you had children or caring responsibilities. Or perhaps you lived overseas, or were recovering […]
As a buy-to-let investor, you know better than anyone how competitive the marketplace is right now. So what can you do to get ahead of the pack? Well, understanding exactly what tenants want and are searching for can make a big difference. After all, the rental property isn’t solely occupied by people who can’t afford […]
Overall Market Backdrop, March On the 23rd March, the Bank of England (BofE) announced a quarter point (0.25%) rate rise to 4.25%, marking their 11th successive rate rise, hitting the highest level since 2008. Across the pond, markets started the month expecting Fed rates to be higher for longer, however the mid-month banking crisis was […]
Introduction Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt was brought in as a safe pair of hands by Liz Truss amid the fallout from last year’s Mini Budget. Of course, Ms Truss herself did not survive much longer, and after being kept in post by Rishi Sunak, Mr Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement, in which he […]
Introduction Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had a huge impact on the global economy, pushing up commodity prices, inflation and living costs around the world. Last month saw the first anniversary of the invasion, and amid the renewed displays of solidarity from leaders in the UK, the US and the European Union, was […]
The end of the tax year is fast approaching and time is running out. So in the weeks ahead of the April 5th deadline, what steps should you be taking to make the most of your money and reduce your tax bill? Here are just a few areas you could look at. Use your ISA […]
Almost everything seems to have gone digital in the last few years – and it looks as if the pound could be next. A consultation on creating a digital pound has just been launched by the Treasury and the Bank of England. Households and businesses would be able to use it for everyday payments in-store, […]
Early retirement – retiring any time before the state pension age of 66 – is the dream for many. The pandemic focused many people’s minds; making them think about what they want out of life – and for many in a position to make big changes, early retirement was the big one. The House of […]
Overall Market Backdrop, February On 24th February 2022, Russian forces rolled into Ukraine, hoping to take over the country in a matter of days. One year later, the ongoing conflict remains a key risk both economically and geopolitically. At its meeting on 1st February 2023, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by […]