Why you should invest early in the tax year May 22, 2025 Data shows that those who invest regularly and at the start of the year can be thousands of pounds better off than those who wait until the end. We’re about a month into the tax year, and there’s no time like now to make sure your investments are working as hard for you as they [...]
Reeves’ taxes push inflation to 3.5 per cent in ‘Awful April’ May 21, 2025 Inflation bounced back up to 3.5 per cent in April, official data has revealed, underlining the cost burden firms are taking on after Chancellor Reeves’ tax hikes on employers and rise to the national living wage came into effect. Consumer price inflation rose by 1.2 per cent on a month-on-month basis, higher than the last [...]
Government to clamp down on ‘buy now pay later’ services such as Klarna and Clearpay May 19, 2025 Fintechs including Klarna and Clearpay providing ‘buy now pay later’ services will face fresh regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after years of wrangling and delays. New rules will require financial services providers to conduct affordability checks as part of efforts to make banking standards more consistent. Borrowers will also be able to make [...]
One in ten Brits have no cash savings, City regulator says May 16, 2025 One in ten Brits do not have any cash savings, the City regulator has warned, concerning signs that hundreds of thousands of people could be unable to cover emergency bills. New research by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also suggested that a fifth of people have less than £1,000 available to draw on The [...]
Self-employed? Don’t forget to set up a pension May 12, 2025 Self-employment comes with the benefits of being your own boss – you can set your own hours, workload and work from wherever you’d like. However, it also comes with the paperwork that your boss would otherwise handle. While the focus can quickly shift to taxes, it’s crucial not to forget to set up your own [...]
Just started a business? How to pick the right business account May 12, 2025 So you’ve decided to take the leap and set up your own business. Once you’ve fine-tuned your idea, it’s time to think about logistics – how do you pick the right business bank account for you? Do I need a business bank account? Business bank accounts are legally required for those looking to set up [...]
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 [...]