House prices hit record high but overall growth slows Business UK house prices reached a record high in November, however overall growth slowed to the weakest rate since 2024 according to the latest data from Halifax’s house price index. Prices were broadly unchanged last month, edging up £138, bringing the average house price to £299,892, a new record high. This follows a 0.5 per cent [...]
How will the Budget impact your personal finances? Personal Finance It’s the day after Rachel Reeves’ crunch Budget, and while the Office of Budget Responsibility leak may be the main talking point, after months of speculation we finally know how personal finances will be impacted. As expected, Reeves extended income tax freezes and introduced a range of smaller taxes, in moves that are expected to [...]
It’s not just LISAs: Stamp duty land tax is a London problem too Personal Finance Getting on the property ladder is getting harder and harder for young people. Dwindling housing supply coupled with growing demand for property has left sellers receiving offers significantly above the asking price, with squeezed buyers turning to family members to fund ballooning deposits. But the costs do not end when the keys are handed over. [...]
The London LISA problem November 19, 2025 ISAs are set for a starring role in next week’s Budget as Chancellor Rachel Reeves searches for ways to kickstart economic growth. The Treasury is reportedly mulling a slash to the cash ISA ceiling from £20,000 to £10,000 to stop Brits hoarding cash, and encourage investment into domestic stocks. Dividends are also potentially in the [...]
Autumn Budget: Rachel Reeves told to scrap ‘not fit for purpose’ Lifetime ISA September 12, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that the Lifetime ISA (LISA) is “not fit for purpose and must be reformed” in the Autumn Budget. Tom Goddard, a senior associate at audit, tax and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, has argued that the LISA “must be reformed to not conflict with shared ownership schemes”. The LISA [...]
Reeves told Lifetime ISAs rules are ‘nonsensical’ and costing savers June 30, 2025 Lifetime ISAs require deep reform, as strict rules on cash withdrawals mean customers are left with less money than they initially deposited, leading Britons to make worse investment decisions, while the government sets aside too much spending for bonuses, senior MPs have told Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Reeves is a fortnight away from her flagship Mansion [...]
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 [...]
Four tax reliefs to make the most of before 5 April March 14, 2025 Savers and investors have just a few weeks left to take advantage of their tax reliefs before the financial year ends on 5 April. Using these tax reliefs helps make the most of an uncertain political environment around wealth, with some tax allowances slashed in the 2024/25 year. These are four of the top tax [...]
Who is the Lifetime ISA for? February 28, 2025 Lifetime ISAs have been the focus of policymakers’ considerations as they consider how to reform and simplify the UK’s savings landscape. In January, the Treasury Committee called for evidence from industry on whether the Lifetime ISA remains fit for purpose nine years after its creation. It has asked how the product could be reformed or [...]
A guide to ISAs: The different options for savers February 24, 2025 An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax-efficient way to save or invest. It allows you to earn interest or returns without paying income or capital gains tax. There are five different types of ISAs to suit various financial goals. Understanding the different options will help you choose the right one for your needs. 1. [...]