News - Auto Enrolment

Residential Property Review – March 2026

Muted activity in housing market – according to RICS, new buyer enquiries declined further in February Rental market becomes more balanced – competition for rental properties has slowed to a six-year low, according to Zoopla Local housing markets rebound – research from Yopa indicates that about 70% of local housing markets are in recovery Muted activity in housing market The UK housing market is […]

Commercial Property Review – March 2026

Office demand strong in London – research shows increased activity in the capital, reflecting shift back to office working Industrial and logistics sector – according to Knight Frank the sector appears to be entering a more stable phase Life sciences – figures from CBRE indicate total take-up was almost three times the level recorded in H2 2024 Strong demand for Central London offices Investment into the Central London office sector has […]

News in Review

All of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep rates unchanged – the first unanimous decision in over four years Last week the Chancellor announced a £2.5bn investment in AI, underlining the government’s focus on the tech sector In February, house prices rose annually by 1.6%, according to the latest figures from e.surv Chartered Surveyors […]

News in Review

The UK economy unexpectedly flatlined in January following a growth of 0.1% in December The price of Brent Crude increased by around 9% on Thursday, back above the $100-per-barrel mark The housing market outlook is mixed, mortgage rates have increased and some residential mortgage products removed “The near-term outlook is now dominated by heightened uncertainty […]

Secure your home and future

30% of UK adults could be forced to sell their family home if their partner unexpectedly died 60% of those with a mortgage don’t have a life insurance policy that includes mortgage protection Life insurance provides loved ones with vital financial support – talk it through with your family and seek advice The death of a partner can be devastating – […]

Entrepreneurs defy uncertainty with optimism and adaptability

An HSBC report shows that entrepreneurs remain remarkably optimistic despite policy shifts, market volatility and trade disruption Entrepreneurial optimism tends to translate into investment, innovation and job creation across the broader economy Entrepreneurs’ appetite to harness long-term trends, from AI to global wealth flows, underpins continued growth and resilience Almost 3,000 entrepreneurs across 15 markets […]

News in Review

The International Monetary Fund’s latest statement on the Middle East conflict predicts an uncertain global GDP growth outlook China’s Q4 growth slowed to 4.5% due to issues including weak domestic consumption, property challenges and a shrinking population According to the US government, a higher global tariff of 15% is likely to be implemented soon ‘The situation remains highly fluid and adds […]

A shift in equity release priorities

Figures from the Equity Release Council revealed a 10% annual increase in borrowing in Q2 2025. In H1 2025, making home adaptations or improvements was the top reason for using equity release. More homeowners are taking out a lifetime mortgage to fund day-to-day living, highlighting cost of living pressures. From property renovations to dream holidays, homeowners are increasingly using equity release to help […]

Wealth – In the news

77% of high-net-worth individuals began making significant charitable donations after surpassing £2m in personal wealth High-net-worth individuals want their money to carry meaning, so philanthropy is becoming integral to wealth planning Inheritance Tax receipts continue rising, with forecasts suggesting revenues could reach £14bn by 2030 Wealth milestones trigger significant giving A study from Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management1 found […]

News in Review – Spring Forecast 2026

The Chancellor said the government will plot a course through the current uncertainty and “secure the economy” Growth for this year has been revised down to 1.1%, from a prediction of 1.4% in November 2025 OBR project inflation will fall from 3.4% in 2025, to 2.3% in 2026 and then to 2% from 2027 onwards On Tuesday […]