Financial literacy was first introduced into the national curriculum back in 2014, aimed at children aged between 11 and 16.  However, the delivery was inconsistent, as the requirement wasn’t mandatory across all schools.  Now, as part of a curriculum assessment, a stronger approach to financial literacy lessons is being adopted. From 2028, this education will be mandatory in primary schools, reinforced at secondary level, and recommended in post-16 education.  Read on to fin

Geopolitical tensions and threats of trade tariffs continued to impact global investment markets at the start of 2026. Read on to find out what factors may have affected your investments at the start of 2026. Markets experienced highs, but geopolitical tensions continue to cause volatility   On 2 January, the first day of trading in 2026, the FTSE 100 – an index of the largest 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange – hit a new high and exceeded 10,000 points for th

If you’re a business owner thinking about your long-term plans, you might have already considered the ways you could exit your company.  Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) have become a common way to transfer ownership of your business to your valued employees.  However, if you’ve been following the news lately, you might have seen that the 2025 Autumn Budget introduced significant changes to EOTs. While these shifts could affect your tax planning efforts, there are still compe

If you’re saving for retirement, you will want to get the most out of what you’re putting into your workplace or private pension.  Fortunately, there are plenty of tax efficiencies when you save your wealth into a pension. Indeed, any investment returns generated within your fund are typically free from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.  Better yet, you can also receive tax relief on your contributions, significantly bolstering the value of your pot over time.  Despite these

Brits could face a worrying shortfall if they need care later in life. A report from the Just Group  (8 December 2025) suggests that 6 in 10 over-45s are underestimating the cost of a care home by thousands of pounds.  Industry figures suggest average residential care home fees are almost £66,500 a year. However, 60% of over-45s believe the annual cost would be less than £60,000, with 28% underestimating the true cost by more than half. Of those surveyed who had previously he

There’s more to being a successful investor than following the latest market trends and tips. Setting out a strategy that’s right for you could allow you to balance risk against your goals.  Last month, you read about the importance of defining what success means for you. With your goals outlined, you can start to think about an investment strategy. Here are some of the factors you may need to consider.   The guide to creating an investment strategy that suits your needs To b

When you’re building a business, you might have little time to think about other aspects of your long-term finances. However, overlooking your pension in favour of your business could leave you in a difficult situation when you want to retire. According to a survey carried out by think tank the Social Market Foundation  (12 August 2025), just 20% of self-employed workers save into a pension, compared to 78% of employees. While not all self-employed workers will be business ow

From introducing a “mansion tax” to creating a separate tax for property income, the November 2025 Budget included several announcements that could affect landlords. Here’s what you need to know about four key changes.  1. Property income will be taxed at a higher rate from April 2026 The major change announced in the Budget that will affect landlords is that, from April 2026, property income will be taxed separately from other sources.  Income derived from property will be t

After much speculation that the chancellor would announce an additional property tax, the new “mansion tax” was unveiled during the November 2025 Budget. Read on to find out whether it’ll affect you, and how the new tax works. The mansion tax will apply to properties worth more than £2 million in England Officially called the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, the mansion tax will be applied to most properties that are valued at more than £2 million from 2028. Social housing w

In the Autumn Budget 2025, the chancellor announced that Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds would remain frozen for a further year, until 2031.  Upcoming changes will also see unused pensions included in an estate for IHT purposes for the first time from April 2027.  These measures could see estates facing a larger IHT liability, or coming into the scope of IHT when they may previously have been exempt. Research has suggested that families concerned about being caught in the IH

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Amid planning romantic gestures, thinking about combining your financial plan with your partner’s could be valuable. Talking about finances might seem too practical for a day that’s about celebrating love. Yet, it could support your relationship. Here are two reasons why you might want to create a single financial plan with your partner. 1. Work towards shared goals If you’re planning to spend the future with som

After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year.  Market volatility eased in December 2025 Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European markets were in the red on 1 December, including Germany’s DAX (-1.2%), France’s CAC 40 (-0.55%), and the UK’s FTSE 100 (-0.13%).  The Bank of England (BoE) carried out stress tests o

There is perhaps no better time than the festive season to sit down and enjoy a favourite board game with your loved ones.  But as many families know, a friendly game can quickly get competitive. Sometimes this even leads to heated arguments over who gets to be the banker or who suddenly “forgot” to follow the rules. If this sounds familiar, it might be worth reframing some of the more heated moments as opportunities for learning. Many of the world’s most popular board games

How your pension is invested will affect its value and the income it will provide you later in life. If you’ve put off reviewing your pension fund, find out why it could be a worthwhile task.  While most pension providers offer savers plenty of fund options to choose from, many leave their money in the default option. Indeed, according to PensionBee  (19.02.2025), more than 90% of pension savers remain in the default fund.  When you start contributing to a pension, you will u

When you’re making financial decisions, it can feel like you’re faced with indecipherable numbers. You might know how much you have in your bank account or pension, but what does the figure mean for your future? Cashflow planning can turn the numbers into possibilities.  If you feel uncertain about your future after looking at numbers on a spreadsheet, read on to see how cashflow planning could help.  Not understanding your finances could place your future at risk It’s easy t

Amid mingling with friends and celebrating with family during the festive period, you might have quieter days to tackle some financial tasks as you enjoy a mince pie. Ticking off these jobs now could help ensure you have everything ready for 2026.  1. Go through your bank statements and Direct Debits  Go through your bank statements and keep an eye out for recurring payments for services that you no longer need. From an old gym membership to a streaming subscription, it’s eas

In the November 2025 Budget, the chancellor revealed new Cash ISA rules that will affect under-65s. The change could affect your savings and wider financial plan. ISAs provide a tax-efficient way to save and invest, making them an essential part of many financial plans. In 2025/26, you can add up to £20,000 to ISAs and split the money across savings and investments however you wish. This will change from April 2027. The Cash ISA limit will fall to £12,000 for most savers  The

While phasing into retirement can offer you greater flexibility, it may make your finances more complex. Read on to find out more about five key considerations. 1. Calculate if you’ll need to supplement your income  While you might still earn a salary as you phase into retirement, if you’ve chosen to reduce your working hours or switch roles, it might not be enough to maintain your lifestyle.  If this is the case, you may opt to supplement your salary with income from other s

One of the biggest factors affecting investment markets in November 2025 was concern about an AI bubble. Despite this, there were still market highs recorded during the month. Remember to consider your risk profile when you invest and review your portfolio’s performance with a long-term outlook.  AI concerns led to volatility throughout November 2025 With UK chancellor Rachel Reeves set to deliver a fiscal Budget at the end of the month, speculation led to market volatility o

The arrival of the colder months means preparing for Christmas, thinking about your new year resolutions, and planning to battle illnesses. Whether you're ill for a few days or you’re diagnosed with a long-term condition, needing to take time off work can have a financial impact. While you can’t predict when you’ll fall ill, there are some steps you can take to limit the effect it has on your finances.  A September 2025 report from CIPD  found that the average UK employee too