NEWS & INSIGHTS

Juggling work commitments with often complicated and expensive child care arrangements is a situation that all parents struggle with – especially during the pre-school years – and it is no exaggeration to say that it can be a exhausting combination. The Institute of...

According to the first significant UK house price report published in 2017, prices are continuing to rise by almost 6.5% on average in the first month of the year. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that the average UK house price was £218,000 in the...

The government’s decision to halt its Budget announcement plans to raise National Insurance rates for self employed people, following stinging criticism from Conservative back-benchers and a significant section of the public, has raised concerns that the U-turn will...

Although many of today’s newspaper headlines accuse the Chancellor of moving away from a manifesto pledge, after launching a £2 billion tax rise on self-employed workers to provide extra money for social care, there were no other significant tax or pensions changes in...

Homeowners who delay the decision to remortgage their homes at the end of fixed-rate deals, thus moving onto the lender’s standard variable terms, are facing avoidable monthly expenditure. For example, somebody with a £200,000 repayment mortgage over a 25-year term...

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced IFA Senior Administrator/Junior Paraplanner to join a well-established Chartered Financial Planning Practice providing a highly personalised financial planning service. As part of the existing team, you will be...

According to new data issued by the Office of National statistics (ONS) a quarter of neighbourhoods in England and Wales were off-limits to many prospective homeowners last year because average income in these areas was below the level needed to buy an entry-level...

Economic observes have suggested that, as Britain edges towards the first phase of European withdrawal next month, that minor cracks in the UK economy will persuade the Bank of England to keep Interest Rates as they are in the short-medium term. The exact terms of...

This week’s court much publicised ruling, that Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan do not have the right to enter into civil partnership, has implications for millions of cohabiting mixed-sex couples in the UK. The couple, who have a young daughter together, have...

Buy-to-let landlords fear that new ‘stress test’ regulations that were introduced this year, which dictate that a landlord’s rental income must cover 125% of their mortgage interest costs, as well as a hypothetical interest rate of 5.5%, will make remortgaging their...

HMRC's latest weapon in the battle against tax evasion and avoidance is the introduction of new penalties against 'enablers' of unacceptable tax avoidance schemes. HMRC's specific avoidance armoury now consists of: DOTAS (Disclosure Of Tax Avoidance Schemes) - their...

If you are considering moving home, or re-mortgaging your existing property, the unveiling of Santander’s new product range could have come at the perfect time for you. The lender launched its lowest-ever fixed rate mortgage, a 0.99 per cent 18-month loan at 60 per...

Pensioners who find themselves confused by the myriad of options available to them, yet are put off seeking professional advice because of the possible cost implications, will be heartened to learn that from April 2017, those planning for later-life financial...

As bad financial habits go, ‘saving too much’ does not, on the face of it, seem too bad a position to be in. However, according to data issued by pension provider, Royal London, the amount of money squirreled away in low-interest cash Isa accounts could be costing the...

Pensions remain the most tax efficient way to save for retirement. And the new freedoms have removed any lingering barriers to accessing funds and passing on unused funds on death. To ensure our clients don't miss an opportunity for a top up, we've put together 10...

  In 2016, the UK market reached new highs and stocks in a majority of developed and emerging market countries delivered positive returns. UK investors with overseas assets benefited from the decline of the value of the pound, with Sterling falling 16% against...

Predicting how the UK’s housing and mortgage market will shape up in the year ahead is certainly more of an art than a science in the wake of a highly eventful 2016, however some outcomes are more likely than others in 2017. For example, mortgage experts believe that...

Securing the perfect child care arrangement for working parents has always been a priority, and in many cases, grandparents play an important role by giving up work to look after their grandchildren – many families rely on this support. However, although there is a...

According to research by the Halifax, the number of first-time buyers who purchased a property last year was at the highest level since the financial crisis in 2008, with an estimated 335,750 new buyers climbing on the first rung of the property ladder. Industry...

According to a fascinating feature in the Financial Times this week, each of us fits into one of six financial personality types: these include The Hoarder, The Splasher, The Anxious Investor and The Ostrich… Which one are you? In life, no two people are the same, so...

Economists’ failure to predict the 2008/9 global financial crisis was described as a ‘Michael Fish’ moment by the Bank of England’s chief economist, Andy Haldane, who was referencing the BBC weather man who failed to see a huge storm heading for Britain in 1987....

The findings of a new report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlights that the wealth of younger generations is likely to become even more intrinsically linked to their parents’ fortunes, and although that has been the case for time in memorial, the report...

A new edition of The Financial Planning Newsletter is being distributed throughout Teddington this week, offering readers a broad selection of financial and investment related stories and news items. A digital version of the the new issue can also be seen...

Few of us consider ourselves gullible enough to buy into a scam investment scheme, however, the story of Deanne Forrest highlights that ‘absolute zero-risk’ ‘high return’ sales patter could fool even so called street-wise investors. Reports in the press this week tell...

HSBC have taken the symbolic step of ending its record-low 0.99% two year fixed rate mortgage deal, as the bank raised rates across its portfolio of home loan products – the move has left many industry analysts asking whether this ‘turning point’ marks the end of...

Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement didn't contain much in the way of major news regarding tax or pensions changes, which gives clarity when planning for the tax year-end and 2017 as a whole. There was welcome news that pension tax relief will remain untouched,...

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced IFA Senior Administrator/Paraplanner to join a well-established Financial Planning Practice which provides a highly personalised financial planning service. As part of existing team, you will be responsible for...

Every now and then, unexpected events can take people by surprise. That happened recently with the UK’s EU referendum, plus of course this week's US election result, and it caused a flurry of activity across world markets. Short-term volatility can make investing in...

Donald Trump has won one of the most acrimonious presidential elections battles in recent US history. He will become the most powerful man on the planet and the leader of the world’s largest economy. You might think, therefore, that the outcome of the election will...

For many of us, making the right financial decisions probably features quite high on our list of priorities. For others, the state of the planet and the kind of world we are handing down to the next generation, may be of concern. Climate change, poverty, access to...

For many individuals, knowing that their money is invested with ethically and socially responsible companies is of great importance – this is an area in which our company has extensive experience. The Financial Planning Group is once again be supporting Good Money...

Annual research for ‘Good Money Week’ has found that 54% of British investors want their investments to have a positive impact, beyond just making money. A record high since polling began in 2009*.  In a sign that the sustainable investment market has shed its image...

New research of British adults reveals that, among 18-24 year olds, 37% feel unsure of what a bank is and 83% of this age group also felt unable to explain what sustainable investments are.  An independent poll by YouGov surveying British adults aged 18+ –...

Nobody wants to spend too much time thinking about the unsavory issue of death, however, according to a thought-provoking article published by moneysavingexpert.com this week, planning for the end isn’t about being morbid, it’s about making crucial decisions to help...

That is the staggering amount of re-mortgage business that banks and building societies are looking to cater for in the final weeks of 2016 – with home owners’ fixed-period deals coming to an end – enabling them to shop around to find themselves a new deal. And what a...

The buy-to-let market has been transformed during 2016 – with landlords facing restrictive new legislative hurdles put in place by the government in an attempt to assist first time buyers climb on the property ladder. April 2016 saw the introduction of a second...

A warning by one of the UK’s leading pension providers, LV=, suggests that over-55s who have drawn down contributions from their retirement pots are on the ‘cusp of a mis-buying crisis’ if they risk reinvesting these funds in products without the help of an advisor....

The full implications of Brexit on the UK housing market in the medium-long term remain largely unknown to industry analysts, and although estate agents are reporting a post-referendum downturn in demand, with modest price reductions reported in some regions, the Bank...

Base rates remained unchanged at 0.25% following the Bank of England’s monthly meeting in London on Thursday, although the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) suggested that it may consider cutting rates further in coming months, despite the post-Brexit landscape...

Mark Carney faced questions from MPs on the Treasury Select Committee this week, and defended the Bank of England’s stance ahead of the Brexit vote after criticism of his handling of the referendum outcome and the Bank’s decision to cut interest rates to a record low...

For many individuals, knowing that their money is invested with ethically and socially responsible companies is of great importance – this is an area in which our company has extensive experience. The Financial Planning Group we will once again be supporting Good...

Much has been written about the so-called ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ in recent years – a period that has seen a large growth in the amount of parents and grandparents helping their offspring on to the property ladder – 2016 has seen £5bn leant in this way already. Every...

It’s been a nerve-wracking couple of weeks for students and their parents who have been waiting for the release of those all-important A level and GCSE results with baited breath. For many, opening that envelope will bring good news – with university and collage...

Moody’s, one of the world’s most renowned economic rating agencies, has produced data which they suggest demonstrates that although the UK economy is slowing down, it is not to the level that more pessimistic commentators have feared. The US company, who provide data...

A recent poll by news agency Reuters has hinted that the UK economy could contract by 0.1% in each of the next two quarters, which would be classified as a recession and could prompt the Bank of England to shave a further fraction off of the Base Rate later in the...

August is always a quieter month for estate agents, with potential buyers traditionally taking a break from house-hunting, however, this year’s summer season seems to be slower than usual, which some analysts suggest shows more home owners have decided to put off...

Although the Bank of England decided not to reduce interest rates in July as it further assesses the impact of Brexit on the UK's economy, intensifying competition between banks and building societies - who are expecting a base rate cut in August - means that fixed...

The post-Brexit landscape continues to change at a rapid pace following new Prime Minister Teresa May’s dramatic move into Number Ten, and the unveiling of a new-look Cabinet – almost every Governmental department has welcomed in a new Ministerial head in the 48 hours...

The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, made a statement on Tuesday to give a further economic update following the Brexit vote result on June 23rd. Although equity markets have largely recovered, with the FTSE100 currently at pre-referendum levels following...

The implications of Brexit on the UK property sector was widely predicted to have a negative impact on both commercial and residential markets, and in the coming weeks and months, homeowners will be nervously looking at the economic forecasts for any signs of a...

A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Times newspaper has produced some worrying findings regarding Britain’s Middle-class workers and their ability to pay even a modest sized unexpected bill, without having to consider a bank or payday loan. According to the...

High achieving, dynamic, independent women may be every bit as capable and financially aware as their male counterparts, however, data shows that for some reason, women are less likely to invest on the stock market than men. Women will be the first to agree that in...

We all have different goals in life, with varying aspirations when it comes to our dream retirement age, or reducing our earning requirements to a level where we spend more time doing the things we love. Some people aim to get rich, while others aim to get happy. An...

An interesting article appeared in the Financial Times earlier this week, written by Merryn Somerset Webb, who suggests that despite the continuing problem of first time buyers not being able to afford to purchase a property, an issue that is particularly acute in the...

The Chief Executive of one of the UK’s leading estate agents has warned that months of rising property prices could be about to come to an abrupt end, and that ‘trouble in paradise’ was likely following a slump in buyer demand. Paul Smith, CEO of Haart, which has 100...

What are your thoughts on a potential 25% fall in the value of your home as a result of Britain voting ‘Leave’ on June 23? Whatever your reaction to that scenario, here at The Financial Planning Group, we don’t envisage local residents will be as cheery as Jeremy...

The Church of England, which has an investment fund of more than £9bn, has come under pressure in the past to “offload particular investments to reflect its values" notably a commitment to tackling climate change. And recent reports show, that during 2015, church...

An increase in pension contributions over the last year has seen the UK's tax waste drop by £300 million, however, as the following infographic shows, pension apathy is still the biggest area of tax waste - people aren't using pensions as much as they should be....

According to reports in the press today, ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad’ is now equivalent to one of the UK’s top 10 mortgage lenders with an estimated £5bn plus set to be ‘lent’ in 2016. Research conducted by L&G’s Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates...

Ahead of mortgage interest tax relief changes that are due to be implemented in April 2017, some lenders have already started to unveil new affordability criteria to ensure landlords don’t over expose themselves when taking out buy-to-let mortgages in the future. The...

Figures released this week show that an increasing number of ‘equity rich, cash light’ BabyBoomers are deciding to sign up for Equity Release schemes and are borrowing record amounts against their home’s value. Almost £400m was released from homes in the first quarter...

Forecasts and press reports that offer opinions on the state of the UK housing market are something that fascinate anyone who owns a property, or those trying to get on the property ladder. The shortage of affordable homes in the UK, alongside steep rises in prices in...

Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning has been in the news headlines constantly over the past week or so, with PM David Cameron and his family affairs coming under very close scrutiny. However, these are topics that affect every single one of us, and issues that will...

George Osborne announced in the last Summer Budget that the dividend tax credits system, which he described as “arcane and complex”, was to be modernised. Those changes have come into effect this week and will impact anyone expecting significant dividend income....

According to a report in this weekend’s Telegraph, Middle Class families are 'resentful' over the Government’s desire to take a record £4.6bn in inheritance tax (IHT) – a report by the Office for National Statistics also showed that receipts for the 12 months to...

An article in the Guardian newspaper this week served as a timely reminder of the fast-approaching end to the tax year on Sunday 5th April and flagged four key areas. Advice such as maximising your available Isa and Pension allowances; ensuring you keep your child...

If you are on a long term tracker with a Barclays/Woolwich account which, until now, has been a great deal – we may be able to better it – without even switching lender. With five-year fixed rates available from 2.25%, and trackers from 1.43%, we can get you a new...

Chancellor George Osborne delivered his Budget to parliament yesterday, with today's newspapers full of varied reactions. The Daily Mail summed it up as, "A fine Budget, marred by the dreaded  D-word (Deficit)", with The Financial Times' front page suggesting that;...

The term ‘robo-advice’ has appeared in several Press stories this week, following the Financial Conduct Authorities (FCA) decision to allow automated online software and algorithms to be used when offering financial advise to investors. Aware that an increasing number...

It has emerged that many wealthy homebuyers are currently being denied access to the best mortgage deals from high street lenders, despite exemptions to affordability rules that should allow them to borrow higher sums at greater loan-to-income ratios. The Financial...

According to reports over the weekend, Chancellor George Osborne will drop plans to alter the tax relief rules on pension contributions from his March 16 budget, although many commentators believe the changes are being deferred until after the Euro referendum rather...

The UK Bank Interest Rate has been frozen at just 0.5% for the past six years, with recent forecasts suggesting that there may be no rise from that historic low until Autumn 2019 at the earliest, and some analysts even suggesting that could continue into the early...

Leap years are a considered a bonus for finance ministers around the world as the extra day boosts their nation’s annual output by a sliver and so flatters their record. Leap day is an artifact that dates back to the year 46 B.C. Back then, Julius Caesar took the...

Former pensions minister, Steve Webb, caused a stir at the weekend when suggesting an end to the tax-free lump sum that can be be taken from pensions may be announced in the Budget on March 16th. The comments have led to confusion, with many individuals with pension...

Mortgage interest rates of around 2% could be with us until 2020, according to the former chair of the Financial Services Authority, Lord Adair Turner. Lord Turner’s prediction was made on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, in which he also commented that the bank lending...

You may have read reports in the press over the past week or so that raise alarm bells regarding imminent changes to pension tax relief, which is currently one of the most generous tax breaks available to higher rate taxpayers. The reports suggest that the Chancellor...

According to a recent survey, as many as 57% of taxpayers admit they have done nothing to reduce the tax they pay in the last year. The reasons behind this vary from not being aware, not understanding tax issues, or simply because they just haven’t thought about it…...

2015 in Summary After several years of seemingly uninterrupted growth, 2015 was marked by increased volatility. The year got off to a good start with many markets around the world reaching record highs in April, but stocks fell dramatically in August, led by a sharp...

There are just ten weeks to go until 6th April's financial year end, and to ensure you don't miss an opportunity, here are ten reasons to fund your pension before the April deadline. If you would like to speak to one of our financial advisors about any of the topics...

March 16th 2016 looks set to become a very important date for Britain’s higher earners as, according to Richard Dyson writing in today’s Telegraph, “it will be the date that Mr Osborne launches his most violent attack yet on better-off earners and savers.” There are...

As we enter a new year, many financial commentators have suggested that the Bank of England may follow their US counterparts by raising the base lending rate during 2016, which is a perennial concern to all home-owners who fear a hike in their monthly outgoings....

As of January 1, savers with large amounts of cash savings could face losing £100s in interest because of new rules which require splitting cash pots to ensure it is adequately protected. A key depositor protection deadline passed along with the 2015 year end, which...

  The Financial Planning Group would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2016. If you would like to speak to us about your  financial situation or retirement planning options, please call us on 0800 731 7614 or by e-mail...

Investors who were tempted to place savings in the Governments ‘pensioner bonds’ will be disappointed to discover that the returns they expected have been halved. The bonds had been designed to encourage the over-65s to invest, with attractive returns on cash savings...

Those who attended our recent Inheritance Tax Seminar were given the inside track on the changes unveiled in the Summer Budget that will reduce the burden of Inheritance Tax (IHT) for most families by making it easier to pass on the family home to direct descendants...

The Bank of England (BoE) has raised concerns over the amount of buy-to-let home mortgages that are currently being issued and wants commercial banks to rein in their lending in this sector –  however, the BoE hopes it can tackle the issue without having to raise...

The Chancellor, George Osborne, today presented his Autumn Statement, which outlined the state of the economy and spending plans for the next four years in the Spending Review. The pension announcements in this year's Autumn Statement mainly centre around the state...

Over the past few weeks several new Interest-Only mortgage products have been introduced by lenders – an option that had all but disappeared in recent years. There are restrictions however, with the new interest only criteria requiring a minimum income of £75K in...

For many people, becoming a parent and raising children is the most expensive stage of their lives. But, after paying out for another school trip, a new school uniform, or the latest ‘must have’ video game release, have you ever stopped and thought ‘just how much’...

The Financial Planning Group (Teddington) and Stone Rowe Brewer Solicitors (Twickenham and Teddington) are co-hosting a free seminar on Wednesday 4th November, with the aim of providing an overview of the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) strategies to consider when...

Getting older and thinking about life in your old age is, understandably, a topic that most of us don’t like to ponder too frequently, but Life Planning is becoming an increasingly important consideration as the UK population continues to age and life expectancy...

According to a report in today’s Daily Mail, “Millions of workers could be sleepwalking into a poverty-stricken retirement because they are not paying enough into their pensions.” The newspaper report goes on to suggest that, “average contributions to company...

According to a recent report, cautious Britons are hoarding bank notes worth at least £3bn in their homes – that’s a lot of cash stashed under floorboards or mattresses in case of emergencies. Despite better protection from banks since the financial crisis, and...

Over the years we have often heard people ask us whether it’s worth their while to seek financial advice, or have been put off doing so because of concerns about the potential costs. However, a recent unbiased.co.uk Value of Advice Report found that those who had...

For many individuals, knowing that their money is invested with ethically and socially responsible companies is of great importance, therefore we will once again be supporting Good Money Week’s campaign to raise awareness of sustainable, responsible and ethical...

Most of us dream of what we’ll do when we stop working — seeing more of the world and more of our families are just two dreams that top the list according to a survey by unbiased.co.uk. The top five retirement dreams are as follows: The ability to go on regular...