9th January 2020

Property market resilience? What does 2020 hold?

Heightened economic and political uncertainty has cast a shadow over the property market in recent times. Although activity has been subdued in certain areas, as buyers and vendors hesitate, forward looking metrics indicate that market sentiment over the next 12 months show signs of resilience1. Prices are expected to rise at a national level over […]

17th December 2019

The Bank of Mum and Dad

The Bank of Mum and Dad The Bank of Mum and Dad is still playing an important role in the UK housing market, with young and even some middle-aged adults continuing to receive financial support from their parents for their first and subsequent property purchases. Their assistance, however, has helped fund nearly 20% fewer purchases […]

9th December 2019

In the News

MORTGAGES GO GREEN Environmentally friendly mortgage loans are set to increase as the government pledges £5m as part of its Green Finance Strategy. Money from the Green Home Finance Innovation Fund is to help the financial services industry offer more green mortgages. The perks of a green mortgage can include a cut in the rate […]

Save to Succeed

Data5 has revealed that 20% of 16-21-year olds believe they will “need savings to succeed in life”, but 17% say they currently don’t save anything. Of those who save regularly, six out of ten put their cash with a bank, while 22% save money at home. One fifth of respondents were unable to identify what ‘ISA’ […]

Poor financial wellbeing impacting employees

Do you spend much time fretting about money? If your finances cause you sleepless nights, you’re certainly not alone. With mental health and wellbeing increasingly under the spotlight, financial worries are a big contributor, including for those in steady employment. A Financial Wellbeing Index4, assessing the financial wellbeing of UK employees, reveals a large number […]

29th November 2019

JISAs gaining in popularity

As the emphasis on intergenerational wealth planning intensifies, the popularity of the Junior ISA shows no sign of subsiding. The JISA star continues to rise, with almost 15% more plans subscribed to in 2017/18 than the previous year. Some of this growth can be attributed to the flexibility of the JISA to fit into financial […]

Financial lessons for the next generation

Passing money from one generation to the next can be a difficult issue for parents, particularly when it comes to ensuring children are ready to take on the responsibility of handling family wealth. However, while discussions about money can be uncomfortable, the key to instilling financial responsibility undoubtedly centres on education and communication. Sooner rather […]

The UK’s lack of age friendly homes

Although new housing is appearing in towns and villages across the UK, it seems these estates are not including homes which appeal to the over-55s. The focus to date has been on building new homes for first-time buyers and families, but a swell in the numbers of elderly people looking to move to these out-of-city […]

13th November 2019

Accidental landlords could face a large tax bill

Earlier this year, the government announced plans to scrap two types of tax relief for landlords who sell a property that was once their home. Homeowners in these circumstances are often referred to as ‘accidental landlords’, as when they originally acquired the property it was not with the intention of letting it out. They may […]

On your radar – key personal finance tips

On your radar – key personal finance tips Taking the time to tune in to a few key pointers can really benefit your finances, helping you plan and manage them effectively. SAVE INTO YOUR ISA The ISA allowance for 2019-20 is £20,000. Don’t miss this opportunity to save or invest tax-efficiently. We can help you […]