8th February 2022

Climate concern – consumers and investors tune in

Despite over half (57%) of consumers wanting their pension to be invested responsibly to help tackle climate change, only one in seven people who have a pension currently invest it responsibly1. UK consumers rank climate change as a bigger concern than COVID-19 or the economy, according to a new study2. Climate change is a top […]

2nd February 2022

Avoiding collapse: managing your property chain in 2022

You’ve found your ideal property, you’re just about ready to exchange contracts, and then you get the call: your buyer has pulled out, leaving your own transaction in jeopardy. Unfortunately, many property transactions are interlinked in this way, with the decision of one buyer having a knock-on effect on the whole chain, with the worst […]

Lights, camera, action!

Jackie Chan’s Stunt Team may be blacklisted by all insurance companies, but for most people life insurance is an easier task to tick off the to do list, no excuses. With one in three people more likely to buy protection insurance because of experiences during the pandemic1, the devastating impact of COVID has clearly led […]

25th January 2022

Home Finance – In the news

BoMaD boom  Half of all first-time buyer transactions were supported by the Bank of Mum & Dad (BoMaD) in 2021, according to analysis1. BoMaD contributions of £9.8bn helped 169,000 first-time buyers onto the housing ladder. Surging BoMaD contributions could become the norm, analysts suggest, after Help to Buy is withdrawn completely from March 2023 onwards.  Time to negotiate?  Six in ten […]

13th January 2022

Money – In the news

What’s on your playlist this year? Over the years, several studies have proven that investors can enter emotional relationships with the stocks in which they invest. Research has reinforced the concept that equity prices are not only driven by analysis of a company’s prospects but also by external factors which can directly impact investor mood. […]

12th January 2022

The housing market – what does 2022 hold in store?

Key drivers in the housing market in 2021 were a continuing desire for homes with more indoor and outdoor space, a mismatch in supply and demand, and the temporary cut in Stamp Duty. The resulting property boom, which according to Zoopla culminated in 1.5 million homes having changed hands last year, also saw UK house […]

Be pension prepared in 2022

If you have little idea how to prepare for retirement, then join the club. Nearly half (47%) of working age Brits are a bit lost when it comes to their pension savings1. Research has also revealed that just 28% feel secure in their understanding of how to manage their pension in the run-up to retirement, […]

7th January 2022

Budget update

In the run up to the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor pledged an additional £1.8bn to assist housing supply via land regeneration. The additional funds are aimed at delivering 160,000 new homes and comprises of two parts: • £300m to be distributed to councils and combined authorities to help them unlock smaller brownfield sites for housing […]

Building financial resilience in the new year

The start of a new year is always the perfect time to take control of your finances and grasp any opportunities that may lie ahead. This year the case is even more compelling with rising inflation and tax increases set to challenge household budgets up and down the country. So now really is the ideal […]

17th December 2021

Government invests heavily in flood alleviation

The government is investing over £860m during 2021-22 to protect homes and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion. It is part of a £5.2bn package to be spent over the next six years, the details of which are set out in the Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan, published on 29 July. It will, the […]