Consumer confidence ticks up but ‘little evidence’ of recovery March 21, 2025 Consumer confidence rose by one point in March as Brits became more pessimistic about their own finances but more optimistic about the UK’s. The overall effect was to push confidence up to -19 in March, from -20 in February and -21 in March last year. The index remained below its long-term average. “If consumer confidence [...]
Should I consolidate my pension pots? March 19, 2025 The UK is reckoning with a proliferation of small pension pots, which is increasing costs for providers and making retirement planning challenging for savers. The cheapest Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) providers According to research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, in 2024 there were 12.1m defined contribution (DC) pension pots which held less than £1,000 [...]
Talking Finance: Five questions you should ask yourself before investing March 17, 2025 In this episode of Talking Finance, Marianna Hunt, a volunteer at City Pay it Forward, explains the five questions everyone should ask themselves before they start investing.
Lessons in investing from ISA millionaires March 17, 2025 interactive investor is the UK’s second largest investment platform for private investors. Last week, we celebrated International Women’s Day, so I thought it was apt to dedicate this week’s column to dispelling some of the myths surrounding the way women invest their money so that we can empower and inspire more women to invest – [...]
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 [...]
Stocks and Shares ISA inspiration from the experts March 12, 2025 As part of City AM's series on ISAs, we asked Camilla Esmund, senior manager, interactive investor to gather some Stocks and Shares ISA inspiration from the experts.
Savers love Cash ISAs – but their safety comes at a price March 10, 2025 Savers love the safety of Cash ISAs, overwhelmingly preferring them to their riskier but more lucrative investment ISA rivals. Around 14.5m people now have a Cash ISA, compared to 4m with a Stocks and Shares ISA, according to figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). More on ISAs from City AM: However, according to savings experts [...]
Taxes might be going up. Here’s how to cut your tax bill March 10, 2025 Savers are preparing for the possibility of income tax increases, with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves expected to announce some changes to the tax regime in March. Labour pledged not to increase income tax during its election campaign. However, the Treasury has discussed freezing income tax thresholds and has refused to rule out income tax [...]
How to avoid the 60 per cent income tax trap March 10, 2025 As more taxpayers have part of their earnings taxed at an effective rate of 60 per cent, financial advisers are working to help clients avoid the so-called income ‘tax trap’. A freedom of information request submitted by Bowmore Financial Planning to HM Revenue & Customs revealed that in 2023-24, 634,000 taxpayers earning between £100,000 and [...]
Why ISAs and pensions make a ‘perfect combination’ March 7, 2025 A key personal finance deadline is approaching. Savers with Individual Savings Accounts have until April 5 2025, to use their annual tax-free allowance, which shields up to £20,000 of savings in the 2024/25 tax year from tax on interest, capital gains or dividends linked to ISA investments. Last year, investment platform AJ Bell said that [...]