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Submitting your mortgage application can be stressful. If the lender rejects your application, it could mean you miss out on the chance to buy the property. Understanding what lenders will be assessing could put your mind at ease and may help you identify ways to improve your application. Here are seven factors mortgage lenders will review when deciding whether to ...

The last 12 months have been interesting for investors, with the market experiencing volatility. Read on to discover valuable insights from 2025. 1. Many markets have performed well despite volatility If you simply read the headlines from 2025, you might think the markets performed poorly. Worries about high inflation, trade tariffs, and sluggish economic growth have dominated the media. Yet ...

In the November 2025 Budget, the chancellor revealed new Cash ISA rules that will affect under-65s. The change could affect your savings and wider financial plan. ISAs provide a tax-efficient way to save and invest, making them an essential part of many financial plans. In 2025/26, you can add up to £20,000 to ISAs and split the money across savings ...

While phasing into retirement can offer you greater flexibility, it may make your finances more complex. Read on to find out more about five key considerations. 1. Calculate if you’ll need to supplement your income While you might still earn a salary as you phase into retirement, if you’ve chosen to reduce your working hours or switch roles, it might ...

The importance of saving is drummed into us from a very early age. As a child, for example, you may have had a moneybox and been encouraged to save your spare coins. As you get older, this extends into saving for university, saving up for a house, saving for retirement, and so on. But what about spending? While looking after ...

The Bank of England (BoE) is expected to make several cuts to the base interest rate in 2026. The move could reduce the cost of your mortgage. Read on to find out what’s predicted and how it could affect you. Following a period of high inflation, the BoE increased the base interest rate between December 2021 and July 2023. As ...

For some investors, particularly higher-rate taxpayers, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) could offer an attractive and tax-efficient investment prospect. Read on to discover the basics you need to know if you’re thinking about making VCTs part of your financial plan. VCTs are listed companies that invest in UK businesses. These are typically smaller and younger firms than those you might access ...

What’s the most important factor affecting the performance of your investments? Your mind might jump to the ups and downs of the market, and they do have an effect. When share prices rise, so too will the value of your portfolio. However, the markets aren’t the starting point of a successful investment: your mindset is. Your approach to investing could ...

October 2025 proved to be a positive month for many investors, with markets reaching record highs. Read on to find out more about what factors may have affected your portfolio’s performance. Remember to take a long-term view when assessing your investments and consider your risk profile when making decisions. Markets experienced record highs, but investor uncertainty continued to have an ...

Last month, you read about how retirement is changing, with almost half of workers aged over 50 exploring phasing into retirement. There are plenty of reasons why more people are considering a gradual retirement, including the emotional and financial benefits this option could offer. A gradual retirement could help you retain a sense of purpose and social life When thinking ...