The Prime Minister has warned that the upcoming Autumn Statement (due on 30 October) will be “painful”. Before this, the Chancellor – Rachel Reeves – confirmed that tax rises will be necessary in the budget. Naturally, investor and business confidence is down to their lowest levels since December 2022…
Pensions are highly effective for retirement planning. They can offer generous tax breaks (such as tax relief on contributions), significantly boosting a nest egg’s growth over time. However, pensions can also be confusing. Not only do different types of pensions exist, but the rules and processes can vary…
Interest rates have been steadily falling across the Western world in 2024. The European Central Bank (ECB) cut rates twice in three months, now at 3.65% for main refinancing operations. In the US, the Federal Reserve made an aggressive half-point cut in September. The Bank of England (BoE) also cut…
Almost a year has passed since the atrocities in Israel on 7 October 2023. Now, the Middle East is escalating in conflict. No longer restricted to Gaza, hostilities are taking place across the region, including Yemen and Lebanon. With the world bracing for a potential outright war between Israel and Iran…
The Spring Budget of 2024 brought a range of key changes which bear upon UK households (not least the “headline” measure to cut National Insurance). Below, our Padiham financial advisers elaborate on our recent Budget Special newsletter to explain, in more detail, how readers’ financial plans may be impacted…
Many great stories and sagas build on the theme of an “inner battle” within the self. Great investors also experience this reality. Various “biases” try to pull them towards irrational decisions with their investments. Yet, how can you conquer the irrational assumptions, beliefs and temptations which may lead you to act…
The new tax year (2024-25) started on 6 April 2024. This brings a fresh opportunity to get the most out of your allowances and put more hard-earned money back into your pocket. Below, we discuss some key changes to know about in the new tax year, offering ideas about how to maximise your financial…
Many people dream of retiring early. The thought of enjoying more time for travel, family, and passion projects is certainly appealing. However, “early retirement” has undergone a significant generational change. In previous decades, men often retired earlier than women. There were “send off”…
In the 2023 Autumn Statement, Chancellor Hunt announced that the State Pension would receive an 8.5% increase in April 2024. By doing so, he confirmed the continuation of the “triple lock” system (which was suspended in the 2022-23 tax year), much to the relief of many pensioners. However, what will pensioners…
Investing can, admittedly, be an intimidating topic for many newcomers. The jargon can be confusing and the volume of information can be overwhelming. Fortunately, learning to invest does not need to be this way. By grasping the essentials of how to build a portfolio, you can empower yourself…
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