5th August 2025

Bank of Mum and Dad – worth their weight in gold

Over half of fist-time buyers relied on family financial help in 2024 to get a foot on the ladder  BoMaD support averaged £55,572 per buyer across 173,500 transactions  Falling mortgage rates may reduce reliance on family, but not eliminate it altogether  More than half of first-time buyers relied on family to get on the property […]

29th July 2025

How the ‘great wealth transfer’ impacts you

Baby boomers hold over half of the UK wealth and should start legacy planning now  Gen X can benefit from early financial advice to simplify future decisions and manage inherited wealth  Millennials are motivated to build wealth and should start planning early to prepare for what’s ahead  The UK’s ‘great wealth transfer’ will see an […]

Engaging with your pension – knowledge gaps revealed

Most UK adults lack essential knowledge about their pensions and how they’re invested  A significant number don’t know their State Pension entitlement or how it’s calculated  Many want to consolidate pensions but don’t know how to start  New research1 has shone a light on the extent of pension knowledge gaps among UK adults. While 53% […]

15th July 2025

Summer housing market update – records, challenges and changing trends

Average asking prices hit record highs, but growth is slowing, as analysts suggest we’re in a buyers market  Moving costs have risen sharply across the UK due to changes in tax and associated fees  First-time buyers see improved affordability supported by flexible mortgage products  As summer begins, the housing and mortgage markets are experiencing a […]

8th July 2025

Get Budget-ready this summer

Summer is the ideal time to review financial goals and investment strategies  Utilising tax allowances now can protect your wealth from future policy changes  Long-term investing remains key, even amid short-term market volatility  Summer should bring a welcome shift in pace: longer days, warmer evenings, time off and the chance for some well-earned rest and […]

2nd July 2025

UK cities see strong property market growth

The UK property market experienced a boost in 2024, with nearly 50% of homes listed receiving offers or selling  Cities like Sunderland, Leicester, and Liverpool saw notable increases in buyer activity, while London’s growth was subdued  Rising buyer confidence, stabilising mortgage rates and positive market conditions are expected to keep demand strong   The UK property […]

17th June 2025

Four in five clients see financial advice as ‘value for money’

82% of advised investors believe they get good value from financial advice, up 10% from last year  96% of advised clients value their adviser’s accessibility, especially during market volatility  Long-term market confidence is higher among advised investors, showing the benefits of expert financial guidance  People with a financial adviser are more optimistic about their financial […]

Home Finance – In the news

Older borrowers are increasingly taking out ultra-long mortgages, with a 156% rise in the last five years  Half of UK homes saw price increases in 2024, there’s a clear north-south divide in property values  Rent costs for tenants under 45 hit a record £56.2bn due to rising mortgage rates  Retiring with a mortgage  With a […]

Why life insurance matters 

50% of salaried employees and 33% of non-salaried workers lack life insurance  Life insurance covers expenses like mortgages, bills and education costs should the worse happen  Policies can start as low as a few pounds a month, offering affordable protection and peace of mind  Taking out life insurance is a crucial step in protecting what […]

10th June 2025

Flooding puts 6.3 million homes at risk

6.3 million homes face flooding threats, but the dangers are expected to rise significantly due to climate change  4.6 million properties are at risk of surface water flooding, a 43% increase since 2018  Taking proactive steps, including insurance, is key to protecting against flood damage  A recent report from the Environment Agency has revealed that […]