Financial News & Events

Certainty in uncertain times

June 17, 2022

We are living in a time of extreme uncertainty and the anxiety that comes along with it. Against the backdrop of war, humanitarian crisis, and economic hardship, it’s natural to wonder what effect these world events will have on our long-term investment performance.

While these challenges certainly warrant our attention and deep concern, they don’t have to be a reason to panic about markets when you’re focused on long-term investing.

Category: Financial News & Events, Saving & Investing

Spring Statement: What did it mean?

April 3, 2022

In his Spring Statement the Chancellor’s main focus was on measures to help those hit hardest by the rising cost of living. The annual inflation rate in the UK increased to 6.2 percent in February from 5.5 percent in January and above market forecasts of 5.9 percent. It is the highest inflation rate since March […]

Category: Financial News & Events, Money Management

Should I be changing my portfolio considering the news?

March 5, 2022

After touching record highs in early January, many world markets have pulled back from their highs, and investors have been confronted with worrisome headlines in the financial press regarding record inflation and more recently the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

Is rising inflation and Russia’s invasion a negative for equity investors? Do large losses in a handful of popular stocks signal a downturn ahead for the broad market?

Category: Financial News & Events, Saving & Investing

The tax rises have started…

September 27, 2021

  The government announced two major policy changes that are likely to directly affect your finances.  A much-anticipated National Insurance rise will result in an increased burden on workers and employers, including for the first time, those above State Pension Age.  And the government has suspended the State Pension triple lock, meaning that pensioners will […]

Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning

Why World Alzheimer’s Month matters for our finances

September 21, 2021

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and 21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day, an international campaign to raise awareness and highlight issues faced by people affected by dementia. Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with the condition worldwide. In my book The Money Plan I talk […]

Category: Financial News & Events

How to spot and avoid a pension scam

September 18, 2021

Scammers targeted pension pots large and small, with individual losses ranging from under £1,000 to as much as £500,000. The average victim was described as a man in his 50s – but this could happen to anyone, so what can you do to avoid it happening to you?

Category: Financial News & Events, Retirement & Pensions

Returning to the Office…

September 18, 2021

Amid the doom and gloom of the last eighteen months, something positive: £16.6bn of consumer credit was repaid last year, the most repaid since the Bank of England records began in 1993 and the first annual net reduction since 2011. While it has been tough on our finances, it’s also led to big changes in […]

Category: Financial News & Events

The National Insurance increase and State Pension triple-lock

September 13, 2021

We have heard two major policy announcements from the government this week, that are likely to directly affect your finances. A much-anticipated National Insurance rise will result in an increased burden on workers and employers, including for the first time, those above State Pension Age. And, on a not so surprising note, due to the […]

Category: Financial News & Events

Your country needs YOU

July 16, 2021

As an optimist, I like to look for some of the benefits we have gained over these last 18 months or so as we slowly emerge from the restrictions imposed on us. It’s essential we use this period to organise our finances, take lessons and secure our future. Part of that means supporting local businesses whenever you can.

Category: Financial News & Events

If you’re struggling with debt, get some Breathing Space with the new debt respite scheme

May 21, 2021

If your debts have become overwhelming and you don’t know where to turn, help is at hand. This month the government launched a new initiative called “Breathing Space”. The scheme has been designed to allow people struggling with debt to take 60 days as a breather. What does this mean in reality? Well once a […]

Category: Debt Repayment, Financial News & Events

Tax year end: making the most of your last-minute opportunities

March 16, 2021

With only days left before the tax year ends, here’s a guide to making the most of your opportunities to make some savings before it happens.

Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning

Budgeting your income

March 14, 2021

Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out the government’s tax and spending plans last week as the nation continues to deal with the effects of COVID-19. The Government has borrowed a record £355bn so far fighting the pandemic and has to come up with a way of paying it back. Sunak also needs to continue supporting the millions still out of work or on furlough due to the downturn. So what did he do, and how is it going to affect you?

Category: Financial News & Events

Updated 08/01/21: COVID-19 Financial Support Matrix V10.0

January 8, 2021

These current events we are all going through have been unprecedented and worrying for many, especially those who fear for their jobs, or their businesses. I have put together a matrix (which is updated regularly as new information comes out) to summarise the main announcements and who they may benefit. The latest version of the matrix is now available.

Category: Coronavirus, Financial News & Events

Looking back on 2020 to move forward in 2021

December 31, 2020

What a year it’s been. Here are my reflections on some of the events of the year, and what we can take forward into 2021 from the experiences we’ve had.

Category: Financial News & Events

What is the Government Spending Review?

December 11, 2020

A spending review is a process carried out by HM Treasury (the governments’ financial department) which sets out how much taxpayers money is allocated to each government department to spend on things like the NHS, schools, and the police. The treasury agrees with the departments how much money they will receive and what they need to deliver.  The money covers their costs such as paying doctors and nurses salaries, running schools and the police force.

Category: Financial News & Events

Tax-free virtual Christmas parties okayed by HMRC

December 4, 2020

Current rules allow employers to spend up to £150 per head (including VAT) towards the costs of an annual function such as a Christmas party without creating a tax or national insurance (NIC) liability for their employees and themselves – provided that certain conditions are met.

Category: Financial News & Events

A quick summary of recent support package changes

November 13, 2020

The Government’s financial support package keeps changing, if you’ve not been able to keep up to date don’t worry here’s a summary on the Furlough scheme, self-employed help, sick pay, mortgage holidays, and tenants.

Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning

Government debt crosses the £2,000,000,000,000 barrier

August 28, 2020

Yes, you did count correctly – there are twelve zeroes after the two. Another month of Government borrowing above £20bn has pushed total Government debt over the £2tn level for the first time.

Category: Financial News & Events

S&P 500 at a record high – so should we party like it’s 1999?

August 20, 2020

Where were you at the turn of the millennium? When the dot-com bubble burst? Well on Tuesday 18 August, the S&P 500 crept up by 0.23%. It was enough to bring the reading on the index to just above the previous high that it had hit nearly six months previously, on 19 February. In between those two peaks there was a fall of 33.9% to 23 March followed by a rally of 51.5%. The obvious question is why? The USA economy today is much less healthy – in all senses – than it was in February.

Category: Financial News & Events, Saving & Investing

Stamp duty holiday isn’t a reason to overstretch

August 14, 2020

Rishi Sunak introduced the Stamp Duty holiday on property valued up to £500,000 until March 2021. He wants to encourage us to make our moves sooner rather than later and get the housing market and its associated services going. Should you take advantage? Before you throw everything into making the most of this stamp duty holiday, make sure you’re in the right position to do so. You need to consider the bigger picture carefully with your eyes wide open.

Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning