‘Mascots don’t move markets’: City grandee pours cold water on retail investment drive Investing The government’s industry-backed investing campaign will fail to usher in a new wave of retail investment unless ministers also promise to scrap the UK’s “hard to defend” tax regime on shares, the boss of a top investment bank has warned. Writing in City AM, Peel Hunt chief executive Steven Fine said that the record haul [...]
FCA crypto U-turn – everything retail investors need to know Partner After banning crypto Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) for retail customers in January 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reversed its position in October 2025, meaning retail investors can once again purchase exchange-listed crypto instruments, such as ETNs. According to FCA research, conducted in conjunction with YouGov, 91 per cent of UK consumers are aware of cryptoassets. [...]
Flagstone boss: Labour tax changes the biggest driver of savers choosing cash over stocks and shares Money Britain’s unpredictable tax landscape means households are choosing to build up war chests of cash over other assets like stocks and bonds, the boss of Britain’s largest savings platform has said in a blow to government efforts to boost retail investing. Flagstone chief executive Arman Tahmassebi said his clients were adding to their cash savings [...]
Crypto, international competitiveness and consistency: where the UK’s going wrong April 3, 2026 The UK’s ambition to be a global crypto hub is being undermined by the government’s decision to the exclude Crypto Exchange Traded Notes (cETNs) from Stocks and Shares ISAs, which risks the country’s international competitiveness and credibility as a predictable place to invest, says John Glen The UK’s ambition to be a global crypto hub [...]
Stealth taxes are rising – here’s how to protect your money before 5 April April 2, 2026 Niche taxes like inheritance tax and capital gains tax are fast becoming major cash cows for the treasury. Here’s what to do before the end of the tax year Britain’s stealth tax is accelerating, with more people being pulled into the net without realising it. The government is collecting more from capital gains tax (CGT) [...]
Cash ISA changes add complexity to the market, says building society February 18, 2026 The government’s decision to cut the cash ISA tax-free ceiling has added “complexity” to the market, a building society executive has said, as Britons still seek to have a cash safety net. Speaking in an interview with City AM, Stuart Haire, chief executive of Skipton Group has said that while the government was correct to [...]
Should you consider Junior ISAs for your kids? February 10, 2026 The end of the tax year is creeping closer, concentrating the minds of UK savers and investors on the hunt for the best deal. While most of the noise surrounding the 5 April deadline centres on securing the most favourable interest rates on cash ISAs and finding stocks and shares ISA with the lowest fees, [...]
Ask the expert: Should I pay into an ISA, pension or overpay my mortgage? January 28, 2026 Fidelity personal finance specialist Marianna Hunt helps a saver decide where to place their capital as interest rates fall. Q: In light of current interest rate expectations, is it better to pay down my mortgage, pay into my pension or invest in an ISA? I have a £350,000 property with a £200,000 mortgage at 4 [...]
Ask the expert: I’m a higher rate taxpayer. Where can I save that won’t result in a big tax bill? January 22, 2026 Fidelity International personal finance specialist, Marianna Hunt, helps a taxpayer looking to lower their tax bill. Q: I’m a higher rate tax payer and likely to become an additional rate taxpayer. I currently hold both a cash and stocks and shares ISA. I also have Premium Bonds and a healthy amount in pensions. Where can [...]
Mark Kleinman: Reeves’ ISA reforms pose more risk than reward January 22, 2026 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column Reeves’ ISA reforms pose more risk than reward If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That sounds like the right epithet to apply to the Treasury’s approach to reforming individual savings accounts (ISAs), one of the [...]