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Building Britain’s resilience and improving living standards The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Healey, has set out the Government’s ambition to put the country on a stronger long-term footing, including measures to improve housing provision, strengthen national resilience and support people at every stage of life. Mr Healey announced that the Budget prioritises investment in social and affordable housing, action to tackle rough sleeping, opportunities for first-time buyers

Immediate bill relief and long-term energy reform Mr Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer, described the Budget as a shift in the Government’s energy policy, responding to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on household and business bills. He said the Budget would provide immediate financial support and introduce longer-term reforms to improve the energy system for households and businesses. He highlighted progress towards clean power, arguing that the next priority

Easing cost pressures across retail, hospitality and leisure The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Healey, said the Budget includes measures to support small businesses, protect local venues and ease cost pressures across the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. These measures are intended to help businesses manage operating costs, maintain their presence on high streets and in local communities and support the long-term sustainability of sectors that make an important cont

Higher minimum wages and greater support for families The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Healey, presented a package of targeted measures in the Autumn Budget Statement 2026 to ease cost-of-living pressures, support working people and provide greater financial certainty for households. The measures focus on reducing the cost of everyday essentials, protecting pensioners from unexpected income tax liabilities and improving financial support for workers and families. Rather th

Government abandons planned restriction on tax-free cash savings Chancellor John Healey has scrapped plans to introduce a £12,000 annual cap on Cash ISA contributions, preserving existing arrangements for tax-efficient cash savings. In his first Budget, Mr Healey also announced that the government would work with the financial services industry to develop a new ‘starter ISA’ to replace the Lifetime ISA (LISA) as part of wider efforts to encourage first-time investors. The dec

The main measures and what they mean for your money, family and business Chancellor John Healey has announced his first Autumn Budget, unveiling a £100 “household energy payment” for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D in England, with equivalent funding for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The measures include a time-limited 3% surcharge on bank profits, tax increases on certain savings and rental income and plans to expand regional financial powers, with

With the main taxes ruled out, attention is shifting to other revenue generators As Chancellor John Healey delivers his first Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, the government faces a difficult balancing act. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise the main rates of Income Tax, National Insurance or VAT. However, the government also faces significant spending pressures and limited scope under its fiscal rules. That does not necessari

Nearly a third of retirees say their standard of living is worse than before retirement Retirement is often imagined as a chance to relax, travel and spend more time with family and on hobbies. However, new research suggests the reality can be more financially demanding than expected. Nearly a third (31%) of retirees say their standard of living is now worse than before they retired, compared with 20% who say it has improved[1]. The research also highlights a gap between expe

A long-awaited way to view your pension savings in one place is finally taking shape For years, savers have been promised a simpler way to track their pension savings. The concept is straightforward: instead of searching through old paperwork, logging in to multiple providers or trying to remember where a former employer’s pension scheme is held, you could eventually see your pension information securely in one place. That is the purpose of the pensions dashboard initiative.

Are you doing enough today to give yourself the freedom and choices you want tomorrow? Retirement should be something to look forward to, not a source of financial anxiety. For many people, retirement can seem comfortably distant until, suddenly, it is not. Years of working, saving and paying into pensions can create the sense that everything will somehow fall into place. The reality is that, without a clear plan, you could reach retirement and realise that the lifestyle you

From cold calls to fake investments, recognise the warning signs of pension scams Imagine losing your entire pension pot in the blink of an eye. Years of hard-earned savings could vanish after a seemingly convincing investment opportunity turns out to be a scam. Pension fraudsters can be persuasive, using professional-looking websites, testimonials and promises of high or guaranteed returns to win your trust. Pension scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudst

How your relationship status can significantly shape how wealth is taxed and passed on in the UK When it comes to finances, many couples may assume that simply living together or being married makes little difference to their tax position. Yet in the UK, the legal status of a relationship can have a meaningful impact on Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and even the way assets are passed on. For some households, this difference only becomes clear at a major life event, when

Nearly three-quarters unaware that surplus income gifts can be immediately exempt Nearly three quarters of UK adults (72%) do not realise that money regularly gifted from spare or excess income is immediately exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations, according to new research[1], This lack of awareness means many households may already be making qualifying gifts without understanding the potential tax advantages available to them. According to the data, nearly a third (

Ensuring your estate is distributed in line with your wishes For most of us in the UK, life follows a familiar path. We buy our first home, start a family, build a career and increasingly care for ageing relatives. Yet despite these significant milestones, many people still delay one of the most important aspects of financial planning: writing a Will. Conversations about death are understandably uncomfortable. Most of us would rather focus on living than on planning for what

The wealth transfer strategy more families are exploring As changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules take effect, many investors may be seeking alternative ways to protect their wealth and pass more of it on to future generations. With tax allowances becoming less generous and estate-planning challenges mounting, offshore bonds are attracting renewed interest among individuals seeking greater flexibility and tax efficiency. While offshore bonds are n

Ensure your financial plans support not only your future but also the generations that follow In an era of rising living costs, longer lifespans and increasing tax pressures, many UK families are beginning to think beyond their own financial future. Increasingly, the focus is shifting towards building long-term financial security that can benefit children, grandchildren and even future generations. Rather than treating wealth as something built and spent within a single lifet

Data shows families are paying unnecessary tax without planning ahead Planning for your death is unlikely to be a cheery task to tick off your to-do list, but as the rules keep changing and tax thresholds remain frozen, tackling it is more important than ever. Families paid a record £8,5 billion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the 2025/26 tax year, 3.6% higher than the £8.2 billion paid the previous year, according to HM Revenue & Customs. The Office for Budget Responsibility est

Understanding how removing the pensions exemption could affect your legacy For decades, UK savers have relied on pensions not only for retirement income but also as a highly tax-efficient way to pass on wealth. Under current rules, pension pots generally fall outside your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. However, a significant shift is on the horizon. From 6 April 2027, the government will remove this long-standing exemption, bringing unspent pension wealth within t

Empowering your future with greater pension freedom Planning for retirement is a crucial step in securing your financial stability for the years ahead. For those seeking greater involvement in how their pension savings are invested, a Self‑Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) can offer a flexible and innovative option. Unlike standard personal pensions, where investment decisions are typically made by a third‑party fund manager, a SIPP allows you to choose from a wide range of pe

Have you planned your timeline, lifestyle, and finances for when you stop working? Regardless of when you plan to retire, there are several key considerations that can help make the transition to life after work smoother and more manageable. Taking time to prepare in advance will reduce stress and ensure you are ready for this significant life change. A well-thought-out retirement checklist is a valuable tool that helps you stay organised, track key details, and focus on the