Between April and June this year, HMRC issued refunds amounting to nearly £49 million to pensioners who had overpaid taxes on their pension withdrawals. Approximately 13,000 claims were processed during this period, with each individual receiving an average refund of £3,800. The issue of over-taxation arises from the method HMRC uses to calculate tax on […]
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a series of reforms to UK financial services. Here’s how they could affect your finances. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced on 15 July a sweeping package of reforms to financial services called the ‘Leeds Reforms’ (based on Reeves’s parliamentary constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey). The reforms are a wide-ranging […]
The Bank of England (BoE) is increasingly likely to cut the base rate despite rising inflation, as employment falls in the UK. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) looks set to cut its base rate again when it meets on 7 August. Although not guaranteed, the latest employment data will have created rising concerns for […]
Introduction Further tensions in the Middle East dominated headlines in June. Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-June led to a temporary spike in oil prices and increased market volatility. The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran further heightened concerns, given its strategic importance for global oil transit. United States Trump’s […]
June Economic Background: U.S. stocks deliver strong monthly and quarterly returns Oil prices fall on ceasefire hopes U.S. and UK interest rates hold steady, meanwhile the ECB cut rates again Click here to read more
Retirement planning is the cornerstone of financial security in your later years. It’s a process that requires careful thought, consistent effort and adjustments over time to ensure your savings can support the lifestyle you envision. In the UK, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) estimates that a “moderate” retirement lifestyle requires approximately £31,700 per […]
Acting as the “Bank of Mum and Dad” (BoMaD) has become a vital role for many parents and grandparents in the UK, helping children or grandchildren with major life milestones like buying a home, attending university, or starting a career. Recent research from estate agent Savills suggests that half of first-time buyers get help from […]
The UK is bracing for a record-breaking exit of 16,500 millionaires in 2025, the biggest millionaire outflow globally, according to Henley & Partners’ Wealth Migration Report. New tax rules are being blamed for the forecast exodus. The end of non-domiciled resident (“non-dom”) tax breaks, higher capital gains tax, and changes to inheritance tax on overseas […]
May Economic Background: Trump’s trade policies bring tariff tensions back into focus China responds with global outreach and trade realignment Bank of England cuts interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25% Click here to read more
Introduction It’s almost impossible to write any commentary on financial markets this year without mentioning Donald Trump. After the turmoil of April, and the dramatic tariff announcements which sent markets into a spin, May was relatively sedate in comparison. United States US equity markets bounced back in May. The S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite and […]