News & Insights

Financial advice is one of those things most people know they probably need but put off doing anything about. Cost is often the reason given — the assumption that advice is expensive, opaque, or only for people with substantial assets. In reality, the cost of not taking advice is frequently far higher than the advice itself. And with independent fee ...

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East and investor concerns that technology companies are overvalued continued to affect market performance. Read on to find out how these factors and others may have impacted your investment portfolio in July 2026. Markets started the month with a sell-off of chip stocks as investors lost enthusiasm for AI. Asian markets were particularly affected on ...

The US struck trade deals with several countries in July 2025, leading to markets rising and putting an end to some of the uncertainty that had plagued investors for months. Read on to find out what else may have affected your investments recently. While it might seem like 2025 has been a poor year for investors, due to geopolitical tensions ...

Overpaying your mortgage could mean you’re mortgage-free sooner, but did you also know it could save you thousands of pounds in interest? If you have a direct debit set up, it’s easy to think of your mortgage as a set cost that you can’t change. However, it’s often possible to make overpayments regularly or as a one-off lump sum. Even ...

Cash can be comforting. It’s familiar, it’s accessible, and it’s tangible. But while cash savings can be part of a well-balanced financial plan, they’re not always the best-performing asset. Data shows that many UK adults are reluctant to depart from cash. In an update reported by MoneyWeek, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reported that 61% of adults with £10,000 or ...

Older workers could find they’re more exposed to financial shocks because financial protection doesn’t meet their needs. Read on to find out if a protection gap might affect you and how you could close it. There are several different types of financial protection, which would pay out a lump sum or regular income when certain conditions are met. For many ...

It’s been a decade since Pension Freedoms legislation gave retirees more choice. Yet rather than relishing the freedom the changes have provided, research suggests workers are approaching retirement unsure about the decisions they need to make. Data published by PensionsAge in June 2025 suggests that only 47% of UK savers are aware of their options in retirement. In addition, just ...

When you create your financial plan, you might envision everything following the path you’ve set out. However, life is often unexpected, and your plan should be updated to reflect changes to your circumstances. So, as well as your regular meetings, you might want to book additional reviews with your financial planner to ensure your plan continues to reflect your situation. ...

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 ...

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 ...