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House prices versus inflation

House prices versus inflation

House Prices Versus Inflation: The 10-Year Reality Check It is a common belief that "bricks and mortar" are an infallible investment, but the data over the last decade suggests a more complex reality. When we look at the figures from January 2016 to January 2026, a...

Weighing up the incentives and disincentives of your tax bill

Weighing up the incentives and disincentives of your tax bill

Weighing Up the Incentives and Disincentives of Your Tax Bill Just how much is the current tax landscape disincentivising you? The latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) recently shared some disconcerting insights that every...

A noisy first quarter but what are the results?

A noisy first quarter but what are the results?

A Noisy First Quarter: What Are the Real Results? Investment markets reacted sharply to Donald Trump’s geopolitical "excursion" in Iran this March. However, when looking at the quarter as a whole, there was far less structural change than the sensationalist headlines...

It’s Not Just How Long You Live…

It’s Not Just How Long You Live…

"How long am I going to live?" is a question that carries more weight the older we get. While many turn to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) life expectancy calculator for a quick answer, the raw numbers often mask a more complex reality. For a one-year-old...

12 Years Later: The Great Annuity Comeback

12 Years Later: The Great Annuity Comeback

As a means of drawing income in retirement, annuities have made a significant comeback, and for good reasons. Once considered the "forgotten" retirement product, they are now reclaiming their place at the heart of financial planning. From "Pension Freedoms" to a...

The Case of the Missing Pension Tax Relief

The Case of the Missing Pension Tax Relief

Are you inadvertently leaving money on the table when you contribute to your pension? A recent "Supplementary forecast information release" from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) regarding the future of National Insurance and salary sacrifice may sound like a...

Are You Ready for April’s Tax and Pension Changes?

Are You Ready for April’s Tax and Pension Changes?

The start of the new tax year on 6 April (which falls on Easter Monday this year) brings a series of significant adjustments to the UK’s fiscal landscape. From shifts in investment incentives to the way you report income, these changes may have a direct impact on your...

Inheritance Tax and Pensions Changes Hit Lords Scrutiny

Inheritance Tax and Pensions Changes Hit Lords Scrutiny

A House of Lords committee has delivered a stinging critique of the government’s proposals to bring unused pension funds within the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT). Examining the legislation within the current Finance Bill, the Economic Affairs sub-committee noted that...

Breaking the Code: Why You Should Check Your Tax Code

Breaking the Code: Why You Should Check Your Tax Code

If you have recently received a new tax code, it is important to review it carefully. Many taxpayers assume their code is correct, but mistakes can and do happen—sometimes leading to significant overpayments of income tax. Millions in Overpaid Tax A recent Freedom of...

2025’s Investment Surprise: UK Beats US

2025’s Investment Surprise: UK Beats US

Investment performance in 2025 delivered an unexpected result. Despite widespread confidence in continued US market dominance, it was the UK market that ultimately came out on top. Source: Investing.com – FTSE 100 vs S&P 500 A Year Dominated by US Narratives...

Another freeze to the thresholds

Another freeze to the thresholds

While much attention has focused on successive government freezes to personal tax thresholds, there is another long-running threshold freeze that could have similarly significant consequences for savers and retirement planning. The Success Story of Automatic Enrolment...

Don’t Fall Into the Communication Gap on Making Tax Digital

Don’t Fall Into the Communication Gap on Making Tax Digital

Many taxpayers who could be affected by upcoming changes to tax reporting are still unaware of what lies ahead. Communication challenges have historically made it difficult for taxpayers to stay informed, and with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD), there is...