Author: Lloyd Kafton
Landlords: The April 2027 Tax Change, and What It Will Actually Cost You
From 6 April 2027, rental income will be taxed at its own, slightly higher rates. It was announced in last year’s Budget, so whatever the Budget on 28 October brings, this change is already on the way, but there is still time to see what it means for you. What is changing If you own […]
Posted in Financial Planning
An Estimated 3.3 Million Pension Pots Are Lost. Is One of Them Yours?
By 31 October, pension schemes and providers covered by the rules must be connected to the government’s pensions dashboards system. That’s an industry deadline, but it’s also a good prompt to find out exactly what pensions you hold. What dashboards will do Once live, a pensions dashboard will let you find and view most pensions […]
Posted in Pensions
Gilts Are Paying Their Highest Yields in Almost Two Decades. Should You Look Again?
Government bonds, known as gilts, are paying more than they’ve seen for years. The benchmark 10-year gilt yield, which reflects the return investors currently demand for holding UK government debt, rose above 5.4% in early October, its highest since 2008. Why it matters now Gilt yields have climbed as the Iran war has driven oil […]
Posted in Investments
Homes for Sale Hit a 12-Year High. So Why Are Mortgage Rates Climbing?
If you’re thinking of buying or moving this autumn, September’s property news probably sent mixed signals. Rightmove reports the highest number of homes on the market for this time of year in 12 years, but several large lenders raised their mortgage rates in the same month. What is happening Rightmove’s September figures show asking prices […]
Posted in Mortgage
What to Do (and Not Do) Before the 28 October Budget
Chancellor John Healey will deliver his first Budget on Wednesday 28 October, and the speculation has already started. Some of it is worth your attention. Most of it isn’t yet, and knowing the difference matters more than reading every headline. What’s already confirmed, Budget or not A few changes are already law and will happen […]
Posted in Financial Planning
The New Pension Rules That Could Reshape Your Retirement Pot
The Pension Schemes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April, but here’s the thing about big pieces of legislation: they rarely change your life the day they’re signed. Many of the biggest changes here won’t take practical effect for several years. Still, it’s worth getting to know them now, because they’ll gradually reshape how […]
Posted in Pensions
The Loan That Buys You Time When a Property Chain Collapses
Picture this: you’ve found the place you want, but the buyer of your own home suddenly pulls out. If you’ve already exchanged contracts, that leaves you needing money to complete a purchase that was supposed to be funded by a sale that’s just fallen through. This is exactly the kind of moment bridging loans were […]
Posted in Mortgage
The 30% Tax Relief High Earners Often Overlook
If you’re a higher earner who’s already made full use of your ISA and explored what more you can put into your pension, there are some more specialist options you may not have explored. The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) lets you invest directly into smaller, unquoted UK companies. In return, you can claim Income Tax […]
Posted in Investments
The FTSE 100 Just Hit a Record High. Should You Do Anything?
In late July, the FTSE 100 touched an all-time intraday high of 10,989.45, its first record since February, before easing back to close the day lower. An investing milestone like that usually lands in one of two ways. Some people feel they’ve missed out and want to put more in straight away. Others assume the […]
Posted in Investments
Making Tax Digital Is Here: What Quarterly Reporting Means for Landlords and Sole Traders
If you’re a landlord or self-employed, there’s a good chance you’ve heard people talking about Making Tax Digital (MTD). It sounds like another piece of tax jargon, but for many landlords and sole traders, it’s now a reality. From 6 April 2026, MTD for Income Tax applies to people registered for Self Assessment whose combined […]
Posted in Financial Planning