After delays and resignation, the Budget was finally delivered on March 11^th. The announcements made could have an impact on your personal finances and businesses, as well as affecting where public spending goes. The Budget 2020 document is over 100 pages long, so we’ve put together a summary of the key points from this year’s Budget.

Coronavirus response

At the time of making the Budget speech, the UK was being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, but the country wasn’t yet on lockdown. Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £30 billion pac...

While the coronavirus pandemic has affected the health of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, it has also had a devastating effect on small and medium-sized businesses in the UK and beyond.

Following a £12 billion package of measures announced in the Budget, the Chancellor has since unveiled a substantial support package designed to help businesses survive during this uncertain period.

If you’re a small business owner, there is help available from the government and beyond. Here’s a summary of the support on offer.

Coronavirus Jo...

Whilst it can be tempting to save and manage money by taking a DIY approach to finances, it could end up costing you money. Research suggests that eight in ten people overestimate their own financial capability and could be making decisions that aren’t right for them as a result.

Failing to seek financial advice when it could prove valuable may not be an issue for you. But it could be a mistake that your children and grandchildren are making. Knowing when financial advice could be beneficial can be difficult to understand, especially if y...

2019 was a year marked by uncertainty and volatility in the investment markets. So, when it comes to reviewing your portfolio’s performance, it’s important to keep some things in mind.

There were numerous factors influencing markets last year, many of which would have been impossible to predict. In the UK, Brexit continued to be uncertain, with a new Prime Minister and a General Election taking place over the course of the year. Trade tensions between the US and China have a far-reaching impact, highlighting how events taking place across...

Thousands of investors have been sucked into putting their money into unsuitable mini-bond products following extensive advertising, particularly on social media. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now clamped down on the marketing of such products following a scandal. But many are likely to lose their money.

What is a mini-bond?

A mini-bond is effectively an IOU where you lend money directly to businesses, receiving regular interest payments over the term of the bond. However, the money you make back is based entirely on the fir...

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) have been around for 25 years! Over those years, they’ve become an important part of investment portfolios for many people. But are they the right option for you and how could they fit into your wider plans?

Back in November 1994, then Chancellor Kenneth Clarke unveiled VCTs as part of his budget and established them the following year. The reason for doing so was to generate investment opportunities in “dynamic, innovative growing businesses”. They were designed to give individual investors a way to access v...

Managing pension contributions and tax liability can be tricky. If you’re affected by the tapered allowance, it can be even more challenging. The Secretary of State for Health and Social care has announced there will be a review into the impact of the tapered allowance and its impact on NHS staff. But it’s not just NHS staff that should ensure they understand how it works.

What is the tapered annual allowance?

When you’re saving into a pension there are two allowances you need to keep in mind: the annual allowance and the lifetime allowa...

Pensions are a crucial part of planning for retirement. But how do pensions in the UK compare to the rest of the world and how can you make the most of your savings?

Australian research has compared the pension systems of 37 different countries. It assessed a range of different indicators, from savings though to operating costs. It looked at both social security systems and private sectors. The report aims to inform pension decisions. It notes that ageing populations are placing pressure on governments around the world.

So, how did the U...

Children born today have a one in four chance of celebrating their 100^th birthday. It’s progress that should certainly be celebrated but one that also leads to financial questions. How do you prepare for a life that could span ten decades?

Many parents choose to put some money aside for children to give them a helping hand when they reach adulthood. Whether you’ll be making regular payments or adding money on Christmas and birthdays, you’ll want to ensure you get the most out of your deposits. But choosing how to build up a nest egg for a...