Interest rates are dropping – is it time to fix your savings? May 7, 2025 The Bank of England has begun cutting interest rates, and with concerns over a global trade war seeping into growth forecasts, it is likely that the rate cuts will continue. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has confirmed that interest rates are on a declining path, despite inflation stubbornly remaining above the central bank’s target of [...]
How to shield your pension from Labour’s inheritance tax raid May 6, 2025 According to new analysis by Quilter, just two per cent of estates subject to inheritance tax (IHT) are currently taking advantage of surplus income gifting to reduce their tax liabilities. Based on freedom of information (FOI) requests carried out by the wealth management firm, just 1,490 estates are currently taking advantage of the rules, but Quilter expects [...]
Richard Farleigh: Why a wealth tax won’t work April 10, 2025 A wealth tax won't work, writes Richard Farleigh, a former dragon from Dragons' Den, author, investor and serial entrepreneur.
Why investors should keep calm and ignore the noise – even when markets are volatile April 8, 2025 Camilla Esmund, senior manager, interactive investor – the UK’s second largest investment platform for retail investors This is not financial advice and is for educational purposes only —– To quote Kobe Bryant: “Never get bored of the basics.” It’s a phrase that resonates with many areas of our lives. We’re now into the new financial [...]
Bitcoin plummets as chaos of Trump’s tariffs spread to crypto April 7, 2025 The chaos of Trump's tariffs has spread across Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market, with digital assets taking a hit.
More Brits ‘in financial strain’ as Trump frightens UK voters April 7, 2025 Nearly two in five UK voters are either cutting their spending or are unable to pay essential bills due to ‘financial strain’, according to the latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll, as President Trump’s tariffs are set to send Chancellor Reeves’ growth plans into disarray. The Chancellor said at her Spring Statement in March that Brits [...]
How could the government reform ISAs? April 4, 2025 The Labour government confirmed plans to make changes to the ISA system at its recent Spring Statement, in a bid to promote a culture of retail investment in the UK. City figures have welcomed the prospect of ISA reforms, which appear likely to be introduced at the next fiscal statement in the Autumn. It remains [...]
Cash ISA: What are the alternatives? April 3, 2025 Rumours are growing over expected reforms to Cash ISAs, as the Treasury searches for ways to boost its coffers. Under the current ISA regime, savers can place up to £20,000 per tax year in a Cash ISA without paying any tax on the interest they earn. This threshold could be reduced to £4,000 under Labour’s [...]
How to maximise your pension before the end of the tax year April 2, 2025 As the end of the tax year approaches on April 5, savers have a few days to maximise their pension contributions tax allowance. Private pension contributions are tax-free up to a limit, under a regime that applies to workplace pensions, personal pensions (such as SIPPs) and overseas pension schemes that qualify for UK tax relief. [...]
How to get your personal finances in order before the end of the tax year April 1, 2025 As we enter the final week of the 2024-25 tax year, the good news is that investors still have time to maximise their tax-free allowances to protect their wealth from HMRC. The not-so-good news is that many savers and investors don’t seem to be aware of this, and the clock is now ticking.