The average property price now stands at £299,313, which is 0.4% higher than April 2025 Last week’s local elections indicated a changing political landscape with Reform gaining considerable ground The Q2 manufacturing sector improvement was largely due to a rise in output, new orders and employment “The housing market continues to display the resilience that […]
Monthly archives: May 2026
Building wealth today, planning for tomorrow
Rising property values and frozen thresholds are drawing more families into IHT scope Pension rule changes from 2027 may alter estate planning strategies significantly Early awareness enables better family conversations and long-term legacy planning Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often viewed as something to think about later on in life. It can feel distant, complicated and […]
In the news
A third of UK workers feel confident about achieving a comfortable lifestyle when they retire There are some significant disparities across income groups, age and gender 60% of cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) savers would consider moving to a stocks and shares ISA Confidence in a comfortable retirement on the up A positive trend is […]
Equity Release continues to grow in popularity
Equity release lending rose 11% year-on-year to £2.57bn Many borrowers use funds for home improvements or gifting family Housing wealth is increasingly integrated into retirement planning Recent lending figures1 for last year show equity release lending totalled £2.57bn, a significant 11% increase on £2.3bn recorded the previous year. Drilling down into the data, it seems […]
News in Review
Eight members of the Monetary Policy Committee favoured maintaining Bank Rate at the lowest level since February 2023 Lloyd’s Business Barometer showed a drop in business confidence, 11% down on the previous month The latest house price data surprised experts, as Nationwide recorded annual growth of 3.0% in April, up from March’s 2.2% “The right […]
In the news
UK workers, especially Gen X, increasingly want time away from work to focus on health and wellbeing Affordability and lack of employer support are cited as major obstacles Property accounts for a significant portion of estate value across the UK, particularly in London Sabbaticals on the rise with Gen X leading Research1 has highlighted a […]
The year of the market savvy buyer?
Buyers are negotiating more carefully in affordability-focused markets Agreements in principle strengthen credibility with sellers Preparation improves both buyer confidence and seller outcomes The difficulty in getting a foot on the housing ladder is no secret. In 2026, however, affordability in the housing market seems to be an even more central focus for buyers and […]
Economic Review – April 2026
Bank of England policymakers voted to keep interest rates at 3.75%, opting for caution due to the unpredictability of the Middle East The UK faces a weaker economic outlook than any other G7 nation as a result of conflict, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Office for National Statistics figures indicate a more encouraging picture […]
