Autumn Statement 2022 what it means for you

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 21st of November 2022

After several months of economic and political uncertainty the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered his autumn statement.

With announcements relating to energy bills, Income Tax, the State Pension, tax allowances, and Stamp Duty, there are plenty of ways your finances could be affected in 2023 and beyond.

Here are the key points of the autumn statement and what they mean for you.

You may pay more Income Tax in 2023/4The chancellor’s announcements mean many millions of workers are likely to pay more Income Tax over the next few years...


Autumn Statement Highlights

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 21st of November 2022

  • The main income tax allowances and thresholds, the main national insurance thresholds plus the inheritance tax nil rate bands will stay at their current levels for an extra two years to April 2028.
  • The threshold for the 45% additional rate of income tax will reduce from £150,000 to £125,140 from April 2023.
  • The dividend allowance will reduce from £2,000 to £1,000 from April 2023 and be halved again to £500 from April 2024. The capital gains tax annual exempt amount will be cut from £12,300 to £6,000 for 2023/24 and halved to £3,000 from ...

Five practical reasons you should create a financial plan with your partner

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 16th of November 2022

Money and financial goals are still sometimes viewed as taboo subjects, even within relationships. If you’ve been putting off conversations about finances, creating a plan together could have many benefits.

Actively talking about money can be positive for both you and your loved ones, and research suggests it’s something younger generations are more likely to do. According to Royal London, 76% of 18 to 24-year-olds spoke to their parents about money matters when they were growing up. In contrast, this falls to 43% for those over 65.

If mon...


How might rising interest rates affect your mortgage?

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 9th of November 2022

 

The Bank of England has raised interest rates and warned further hikes are likely in the coming months. This will mean bigger bills for some homeowners.

On 3 November 2022, the Bank of England raised interest rates from 2.25% to 3% - the eighth hike since December 2021 - in a bid to combat soaring inflation. And, the Bank’s Governor, Andrew Bailey, has warned people to expect further rises in the coming months.

It is now widely anticipated that rates will rise to over 5% by Spring next year. This has had a huge impact on the mortgage ma...


The Growth Plan a further update

Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 18th of October 2022

At 6.00 am on Monday 17 October, the Treasury issued a press release announcing that the (new) Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, would making a statement “bringing forward measures from the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan”. The timing of the press release suggested that the Treasury was concerned it had not done enough the previous Friday to calm markets ahead of the end of Bank of England gilt purchase support.

The Chancellor’s statement was in two parts: firstly, a pre-emptive media statement in the morning, then an official statement...


10 ways to reduce your tax bill

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 26th of September 2022

 

Being tax smart means knowing the basics about how tax affects your life and money. Here are 10 ways to reduce your tax bill, which could make your money go further for you and your loved ones.

Personal savings allowance
You’re entitled to receive some interest on your savings tax-free every year, depending on your income tax band. For non-taxpayers or basic rate taxpayers you’re allowed up to £1,000 per year; for higher rate taxpayers you get £500. If you have savings with a spouse or partner, you can each use your allowances against y...


How does a remortgage work?

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 26th of September 2022

A remortgage is the process of moving your home’s existing mortgage to one with a new lender. Remortgaging could help you save money if you weigh up the fees involved with the savings you could make. Here’s how it works.

People remortgage for many different reasons, including:

  • Finding a better deal elsewhere – you might be on a standard variable rate (SVR) and want to move to a fixed-term rate.
  • Coming to the end of a fixed-term deal on your current mortgage and wanting to lock in a lower rate with a new lender.
  • The loan-to-value on t...

Can you afford to die?

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 3rd of August 2022

Although not traditionally associated with jollity, for those who like to have the last laugh, a funeral may offer the perfect opportunity.

It’s becoming increasingly popular to use humour during services to reflect the personality of the individual being celebrated. A survey by Co-op Funeralcare on the music people would like at their final goodbye found Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, Going Underground by the Jam and Highway to Hell by ACDC were among the chosen tunes.

After the music’s faded, gravestones offer another opportunity t...


Talking to kids about the value of money

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 20th of July 2022

 

After seeing their six-year-old son’s birthday list, Liz and Dan have realised it’s high time they started teaching Archie about the value of money. It’s true they both have reasonably well-paid jobs and only the one child but, even so, a Saint Bernard puppy, a quad bike, a horse and a life-size dalek don’t come cheap. So, what can Liz and Dan do to ensure Archie doesn’t end up bankrupting them before he goes to high school?

Pocket money

Archie is nearly seven - the age when most parents start giving their children pocket money, accordi...


First time buyers guide to saving for a deposit

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 20th of July 2022

When preparing to buy your first home, saving for a deposit can be a difficult process. As house prices, inflation, cost of living and mortgage rates increase, it can mean that some mortgage lenders may require larger deposits of the property value. This can be challenging trying to save a large sum of money and for some within a limited time. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average UK house price was £277,000 in February 2022, which is £27,000 higher than this time last year. It’s also important to consider all the othe...