The current tax year ends on 5 April 2021, so now’s a good time to make sure your finances are in order and book an annual review with your financial adviser. We’ve taken a look at some of the main allowances you’ll need to bear in mind as you prepare for the end of the tax year.

ISAs
An ISA is a tax-free wrapper in which you can hold various types of savings and investments. There are different types and the amount you can place in them without being charged tax (the tax-free allowance) varies. You can spread your money across different t...

With hopes rising about vaccines and the end of lockdowns, could we see a rise in inflation when the economy reopens?

As vaccines continue to be deployed rapidly around much of the world, hopes are increasing about the global economic recovery. Many people expect there to be a strong rebound once coronavirus restrictions are lifted, but there are fears that the rebound could increase inflationary pressures.

As well as increasing demand, there are concerns that central bank quantitative easing (QE) programmes and increased government spen...

Despite rising coronavirus cases and increased lockdown measures, there was a renewed sense of optimism about the global recovery as we said goodbye to 2020

Although many countries have begun the new year under strict lockdown measures, vaccinations are providing a light at the end of the tunnel. Investors are optimistic that life will return to normal gradually in 2021 and that the economy will begin to heal.

While there’s been a spike in coronavirus infections during the winter, economic activity seems to have become more resilient to ...

As we entered the new year with further lockdowns and history making world events, the hope of spring hangs in the air, an enticing prospect, this year, more than ever. While we’re waiting for the green shoots of spring to emerge, why not use the time effectively by getting your finances in order before the end of the tax year?

The tax year ends on 5 April 2021, which is Easter Monday this year, so don’t wait until the last minute to double-check you’ve taken advantage of all the tax-efficient allowances available to you. To avoid a last-...

Estimates suggest that well over one million borrowers have lapsed onto their lender’s default standard variable rate (SVR). Has this happened to you? If so, now could be the perfect time to consider a remortgage, to get your finances in good shape for the year ahead.

Do you know your mortgage rate?
If your current tracker, fixed rate, or discount mortgage deal has ended, you are likely to be switched onto your lender’s SVR and could be paying way over the odds, perhaps without even realising. It has been found that borrowers on an SVR cou...

We all know we need to save for retirement, don’t we? But we also know it’s not always that easy to find the spare cash required to do so, especially amid a global pandemic.

Research studies, though, typically show that many retirees wish they’d saved on a more consistent basis and managed to accumulate a larger nest egg. Mike is one of those people who entered retirement harbouring financial regrets.

Plan? What plan…?
Last January, after working for over 45 years, Mike decided it was finally time to retire. But he soon hit a snag; Mike s...

Has the pandemic caused you to worry more than usual about your finances? Well, you’re not alone…
With 47% of respondents to a global survey stating they are less well-off now compared to before the pandemic and 24% worried about job security, it’s clear that the virus is continuing to wreak havoc on our financial – and mental health.
The kids are… not alright

And it’s not just adults who are feeling the pressure – our kids are picking up on it too. According to a monthly study of children’s mental health symptoms during the pandemic, child...