News

The global economy is facing significant disruption following President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of trade tariffs. These sweeping measures have triggered sharp declines in stock markets worldwide, leaving many investors and businesses concerned about the potential long-term impact.   Market reactions to tariffs This morning (7th April 2025), the UK’s FTSE 100 index fell by nearly 6%, reflecting widespread unease about ...

Your home may be one of the largest assets you own, and unlocking property wealth using equity release could significantly boost your funds later in life. According to the Equity Release Council, in the final quarter of 2024, homeowners withdrew around £622 million from their homes. The average person withdrawing a lump sum for the first time received £115,243. A ...

The Spring Statement 2025 has brought several important changes that could affect your personal finances. With lower growth forecasts, inflation expectations, and new welfare reforms, it’s crucial to understand how these updates could impact your financial planning. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes and tips on how to adjust your strategy accordingly. Economic Outlook – Slower Growth, Higher Inflation ...

On 5 November 2024, US citizens voted for their next president, and the election had a knock-on effect on investment markets and business prospects around the world. Republican Party nominee Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the US. Trump has previously spoken about imposing harsh import tariffs, including a tariff of up to 60% on goods ...

While inflation is stabilising in many major economies, markets continue to experience some volatility, which may have affected your investment portfolio.  According to the latest International Monetary Fund’s Global Financial Stability Report, markets could be underestimating the risks of conflicts and upcoming elections. Indeed, the rising price of gold suggests some investors are seeking a safe haven amid news of ...

Spotting a great Black Friday deal might be harder than you think – especially after Which? reported that 98% of products that were on sale in 2021 were cheaper or the same as their Black Friday price at other times in the year. In fact, 86% of the items had also been the same price or cheaper in the six ...

Paying off your mortgage might come with a sense of relief and far more financial freedom. If reaching that milestone as soon as possible is one of your goals, there are ways to pay off your mortgage quicker.  Being mortgage-free could open up doors for you. Without mortgage repayments, you might be able to travel more, retire sooner, or simply ...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is providing scammers with new ways to try and dupe you. One type of scam that’s on the rise that you should be aware of is “voice cloning”. Voice cloning uses AI technology to replicate the voice of a friend or family member. Fraudsters then use this to contact you to ask you to transfer funds or ...

The end of the year is fast approaching, and while your mind might be on celebrating the festive period, it’s the perfect opportunity to tick off some financial tasks you might be putting off.  Spending some time going through your finances and thinking about what you want to achieve next year could help you step into 2025 feeling confident about ...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the new Labour government’s first Budget on 30 October 2024. Amid the announcements were key changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) that could affect your financial plan.  Ahead of the Budget, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it would be “painful” as there was a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. ...