2nd April 2025

When is the right time to buy your first home? 

Changes to Stamp Duty and mortgage rates may make now a good time for first-time buyers.  House prices are predicted to rise in 2025, though at a slower pace than before.  Lower mortgage rates have boosted first-time buyers’ budgets, but personal circumstances should guide decisions.  There is a lot to think about when purchasing your […]

Protection insurers pay out record sum

In 2023, protection insurers paid out a record £7.34bn in claims in, supporting those facing bereavement, illness and injury.  The total value of critical illness claims rose to £1.2bn, with cancer the most common reason for claiming.   Over 1,660 income protection claims have been paid out for more than 10 years, highlighting the value of […]

25th March 2025

Advised investors are ‘less vulnerable’

Investors who receive financial advice are four times less likely to be vulnerable than the general population, according to analysis1.  The study looked at a cohort of more than 5,000 advised investors, assessing them using a psychometric financial wellbeing questionnaire. Designed by an in-house behavioural psychologist, the questionnaire was designed to find and evaluate indicators […]

18th March 2025

Now here’s a golden anniversary worth celebrating! 

It’s 2025 and we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act which, amongst other measures, made it possible for women to get a mortgage without a man’s countersignature.  It’s a great time to reflect on how far we have come in promoting financial equality between the sexes. In recent years, we have […]

12th March 2025

Could ‘right-sizing’ help the housing market?

With the UK housing market facing an array of problems, experts have suggested almost as many solutions. One concept that could help resolve the current shortcomings is ‘right-sizing.’  ‘Right-sizing’ refers to the process of moving to a more suitable property for your requirements, generally one with fewer bedrooms. Closely related to downsizing, some analysts think […]

4th March 2025

Narrowing the gender protection gap

You’ve probably heard about the gender pay gap. You may even have heard about the gender pension gap. But did you know there is also a gender protection gap?  Women are typically less likely than men to have insurance that protects them financially against the risk of being unable to work due to illness or […]

A reminder of recent property tax changes

The Autumn Budget made the headlines with a host of announcements, mostly on taxation. Housing did not play a large part in the key fiscal event, but there are a few points to be aware of.  Second homes  From 31 October 2024, people buying a second home pay an extra 2% of the entire property […]

18th February 2025

Money – In other news

One in five UK adults have been scammed in the past year, causing debt and financial strain.  38% of Brits in their 30s and early 40s are relying on their parents’ assets for financial security.  There are an estimated 2.8 million missing pension pots in the UK, fuelling demand for the Pension Tracing Service.  One […]

Why financial procrastination can harm your health (and your finances)

Financial procrastination – delaying financial tasks – can negatively impact both your finances and health.  Signs of financial procrastination include fear of mistakes, lack of confidence, and unclear financial goals.  Combat procrastination by setting clear financial goals, seeking expert advice, and taking proactive action.  We all know that putting things off is all too easy. […]

12th February 2025

Don’t invest under the ‘finfluence’

People are increasingly seeking financial guidance on social media. While financial influencers – or ‘finfluencers’ – can be useful in raising awareness around financial matters, there is also a darker side to the growth of unregulated advisers.  Social media age  In the UK, more than one in four people use some combination of social media, […]