The Autumn Budget 2025 brings a significant change to how pension contributions via salary sacrifice are treated. Right now, both employers and employees save on National Insurance Contributions (NICs) by using these schemes. However, starting 6 April 2029, this will change—NIC relief on pension salary sacrifice will be capped at £2,000 per year.

One of the recurring themes in financial media this year has been the US dollar. After decades of strength, the dollar has depreciated against major currencies so far in 2025 - GBP, EUR, JPY, AUD, CHF, for example - prompting speculation about whether this signals the beginning of the end for its status as the global reserve currency. For globally diversified investors, this raises an important question: what could US dollar depreciation mean for long-term returns?

After much hype, testing of the water “leaks” and media speculation, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves has now delivered the 2025 Budget.

 For those so inclined, the full budget report can be found on the Treasury Website but for those who prefer their information in a more digestible format here is a summary of the budget, including the top 5 personal finance impacts.

During good times in markets, headlines can cause investors to wonder whether such highs signal an impending downturn or poor future returns. However, history suggests that this fear, whilst common, is often misplaced.

The financial media and market commentators persist with scaremongering and speculation. An AI ‘bubble’, the future of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin, government debt levels, ongoing trade wars and other geopolitical tensions dominate headlines. In general, this is nothing new. It is a feature of capital markets and the noise that surrounds them.

It’s easy to be unsettled when the same names seem to dominate every performance table. The U.S. weight in global indices is high at ~65%, technology looms large at ~30%, and the biggest companies feel all‑important – the top ten largest stocks now account for around ~25% of the global market. It can feel like the same story on repeat.

Each day, month and year brings a fresh wave of predictions about which markets, sectors, or asset classes will outperform. Financial headlines continue to highlight the latest themes - whether it’s the rise of AI-driven companies, the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, or the apparent resurgence of gold as a safe haven asset. Despite the persuasive narratives, investors should remain cautious about reorienting their portfolios based solely on these forecasts. As history has shown, economies and markets are inherently unpredictable.

As the UK edges closer to its next fiscal budget announcement, speculation is mounting over possible changes to pensions tax policy. Former pensions minister Steve Webb has weighed in, offering insights that could have significant implications for retirees and financial planners alike.

We live increasingly in a world that often feels full of doom and gloom, amplified by the endless news cycle, echoed in social media comments, and exacerbated by a tendency to doomscroll on our mobiles.  This geopolitical, economic and social noise risks become deafening and unsettling.  What will Trump do or say next?  Will the West be able to contain Putin’s imperialistic ambitions?  Are taxes going to rise?  Is the economy heading for a slump?

In a move that could reshape how families manage wealth transfers, HMRC is reportedly considering a rule change that would affect UK households who gift money to family members. While the details are still emerging, the implications for estate planning, inheritance tax (IHT), and financial advice are significant.

If you own a home in the UK worth over a certain threshold, you might want to keep an eye on the latest developments in housing policy. A new proposal is making waves that could see higher-value properties subject to an additional tax, sparking debate among homeowners, economists, and politicians alike.

If you’re planning to pass on wealth to loved ones, new signals from the Treasury suggest it’s time to take a closer look at your strategy.

If you’ve been diligently saving into a Cash ISA or other savings account, recent news from Westminster might give you pause for thought.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signaled support for a tax crackdown on savings accounts, sparking concern among savers and financial experts alike. The move is part of a broader effort to reform the UK’s tax system—but it could have serious implications for how much of your savings you get to keep.

If you’ve noticed your monthly budget feeling tighter lately, you’re not alone—and your pension might be paying the price.

New data reveals that average monthly pension contributions in the UK have dropped by 20% in just six months, falling from £65.10 to £53.40. At the same time, the cost of daily essentials has surged by 12%, with households now spending £52.14 per day—up from £46.40 just months ago.

Lately, investors may be having flashbacks to the early days of meme investing. Newly labeled meme stocks like Krispy Kreme (DNUT) have joined the meme menu with members of the original stack, including GameStop (GME) and AMC Entertainment (AMC)…

Investing is often framed as a numbers game - ratios, returns, and risk metrics. But beneath the surface lies something more human: behaviour. How we respond to market movements, uncertainty, and the passage of time can shape our experience far more than the structure of our portfolios - although, robust portfolio structure is still a key component of a successful outcome. This short note looks at the investor journey, and how time and temperament combine to influence outcomes.

Recent headlines have drawn attention to the fall in the US dollar, raising questions among investors and market watchers alike. At this stage, the recent decline is comparatively modest, at least in a historical context. The US dollar has seen several periods of both relative strength and weakness over the past five decades. Currency movements are nothing new.

The cryptocurrency (crypto) landscape, and that of other digital assets, continues to evolve. Recent headlines – coinciding with the rise in the price of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin - have reignited interest. Technological innovations in the crypto space are, without a doubt, exciting. Yet, despite the noise, my message remains consistent: for most investors, there is no need to alter portfolios to gain exposure to this volatile and speculative investment opportunity.

It’s a pattern we see time and again. 

A fund manager delivers spectacular early returns, the press dubs them “the next Warren Buffett,” and the money pours in – often just before their performance falters, leaving investors disappointed and poorer.

Few stories illustrate this cycle more clearly than the rise and fall of Neil Woodford, Cathie Wood, and even Terry Smith. Their stories offer a stark reminder of why chasing star fund managers based on past performance can be a costly mistake.

The numbers confirm that. 

It’s easy to forget, after a decade dominated by US stocks, that investing is not about chasing what has just done well, but about building a portfolio that is robust across a wide range of possible futures. Emerging markets have, for some time, lagged their developed market counterparts - particularly the US. This has led some to question their place in a diversified portfolio. This underperformance is not a reason to abandon them. In fact, it’s precisely why they remain important.