Two people shaking hands.

Investment market update: May 2025

Uncertainty continued to lead to market volatility in May 2025. However, there was some good news for investors as some markets recovered the losses they experienced in April 2025. Read on to find out more and what factors may have influenced your portfolio’s performance recently. While market movements may be worrisome, remember, it’s a normal part of investing. Keep your ...
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A woman looking at properties for sale in an estate agent window.

The pros and cons of choosing a 100% mortgage

There are now several 100% mortgages available to choose if you don’t have a deposit. First-time buyers are sure to welcome the news, but before you opt for a mortgage with zero deposit, there are pros and cons to weigh up. A 100% mortgage means you’re able to borrow the full value of the property you want to buy through ...
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Three generations of family cooking in the kitchen

How to use the “gifting from income” rule to reduce your estate’s Inheritance Tax bill

According to a Citywire report, forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) paid to HMRC will have increased by 11.6% in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24. This will mean that the total amount of IHT paid in the 2024/25 financial year will have reached a record high of £8.4 billion. The report suggests ...
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A father teaching a child to ride a bike.

Should you choose a Cash or Stocks and Shares Junior ISA for your child?

A Junior ISA (JISA) is often an effective way for parents to start putting money aside for their children to help them reach their goals when they reach adulthood. One important question parents need to consider is: Should the money be held in a Cash JISA or invested through a Stocks and Shares JISA? Read on to find out what ...
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A man reviewing paperwork at his computer.

The simple step that could boost your annuity income in retirement

You’ve likely spent years preparing for retirement and envisioning the lifestyle you’d like to enjoy once work is officially behind you. You might have even accumulated a significant pension pot through careful planning to help support this dream lifestyle. As you explore some of the different ways to draw an income from your retirement fund, one option you might have ...
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Three women with the around each other laughing.

How to improve your financial resilience

This guest blog was written by Chris Budd, who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book, and also the Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and has written more than 100 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast. Financial wellbeing is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of the relationship between money and happiness. Some ...
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Liam Payne died without leaving a will – who will inherit his estate now?

One Direction singer, Liam Payne, passed away in October last year, after falling from a third-floor hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has been reported that the singer has left behind a £24.3m fortune after dying without a Will. Payne never married but he and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy had a son, Bear, who is now aged eight. ...
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Workers walking through a shipping cargo container terminal depot.

Investment market update: April 2025

Once again, US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have affected investment markets throughout April 2025 and could have far-reaching implications over the coming months. Indeed, UN Trade and Development now predicts that global growth will slow to 2.3% in 2025, compared to 2.8% last year. While experiencing volatility can be daunting as an investor, remember to take a long-term view. ...
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A woman pulling a suitcase through an airport.

Why travelling the world is good for you

Seeing the world and exploring new destinations is a goal many people share. Whether you dream about relaxing on a beach, or you prefer to be on the go ticking off sights, travelling might be more beneficial than you first think. If you need an excuse to book your next trip, there’s more than one reason why it could be ...
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A woman walking out of a front door of a colourful row of terraced housing.

Why tariffs and a trade war could mean your mortgage interest rate rises

As inflation stabilised following a period of prices rising more rapidly than usual, there were expectations that the Bank of England’s (BoE) base interest rate would be cut throughout 2025. However, a potential trade war could mean the opposite happens and lead to higher mortgage outgoings for millions of homeowners. Read on to find out how inflation and interest rates ...
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