News - Auto Enrolment

The Chancellor has acknowledged financial conditions are difficult but his “first priority” is to control borrowing and reduce pressure However, UK business confidence reached a five-month high last month, increasing to 53%, the highest level since March The UK manufacturing sector stalled slightly last month, but there was moderate expansion of the overall service sector […]

Retirement planning for the self-employed

Three in five self-employed workers could be missing out on crucial peace of mind and tax benefits Making regular contributions can be more achievable and build a bigger retirement pot than waiting for ‘surplus’ income Retirement saving can be more complex for self-employed workers. It’s never too late to improve retirement readiness Around 40% of […]

Remortgaging on the rise

Remortgage applications have risen sharply as pandemic-era fixed deals come to an end Shorter-term mortgage fixes are gaining popularity in uncertain interest rate conditions Landlords are increasingly refinancing to improve returns and release equity Remortgaging is firmly back in focus. Recent analysis1 shows applications surged by around 45% in Q1 2026, driving overall mortgage activity […]

Positive momentum in protection – but gaps remain

Data shows that around £21.9m is paid out daily in protection claims – a 10% increase in individual claim value There are also encouraging signs among younger consumers. Many are locking in lower premiums early While the trend is positive, protection should be part of a wider plan with the right level of cover in […]

News in Review

In August, home searches were up 7%, marking the strongest annual increase in 12 months According to a trade body survey, 37% of the hospitality sector believes the new government will provide a boost Retail sales volumes fell further last month, with activity falling from a weighted balance of -26% in July to -48% in […]

Keep your cool in the housing market

Organisation and preparation are key to helping reduce stress throughout the homebuying journey Realistic budgeting and taking account of all costs helps avoid affordability issues and unexpected expenses Future planning can prevent the need for repeating the whole process again too soon and resulting in an unexpected move Few people imagine buying a house to […]

Economic Review – August 2026

Recent data shows the UK second-quarter growth was more resilient than anticipated – 0.4% growth The latest Labour Market Overview published by ONS in August painted a muted picture of the UK jobs market According to ONS, consumer spending slowed as the volume of goods sold fell by 0.5% over the month UK second-quarter growth […]

News in review

Inflation rate rise largely attributed to Ofgem’s raised price cap, which has driven up the average energy bill According to the British Retail Consortium, expectations for the economy over the next three months have risen NatWest’s Growth Tracker confirms business activity increased across most of the UK at the start of Q3 “Britain’s economy is […]

In the news

Many buyers remain positive but affordability pressures continue delaying home purchase decisions Property investors face lower profits, requiring greater adaptability in changing market conditions Multi-generational living is driving demand for flexible and independent home spaces Buyers hesitate despite market confidence Research1 shows that around 41% of prospective buyers are delaying their move while waiting for […]

Wealth in an age of uncertainty – how investors are adapting to a changing world

The International Monetary Fund expects global growth to slow to 3.1% in 2026 before edging slightly higher in 2027 Despite geopolitical headwinds and trade disputes, global wealth creation continues at remarkable speed For investors, the focus is not only on growing wealth but positioning capital intelligently in a more complex world For investors, structural weaknesses […]