I know it’s only March, but have you started organising your work Christmas party yet? Chances are the answer to that question is ‘no’. It’s months away, right? Right now, all you know is that there will be a Christmas do of some description. As it comes closer, however, you need to start working on the detail. Where will you go? How many people is it for? What’s the budget? Then, as it gets even nearer, you have to start thinking about granular detail like: who will sit where? Who needs a taxi to the event? And are you having the Christmas pudding or the cheesecake? In many ways, planning your retirement is the same. You might be at the... Read More

This week, Rishi Sunak has delivered the first Budget of the new Conservative government. With a large majority behind him, the theme of the Chancellor’s speech was to deliver the promises made in the party’s election manifesto or, as Sunak himself repeatedly said, to ‘get things done’. Of course, the coronavirus outbreak has significantly changed the Chancellor’s plans. Opening his speech, Sunak said: “We will rise to this challenge – this virus is the key challenge facing our country today.” With a package of measures designed to support the economy through the spread of coronavirus, plus a pledge to deliver manifesto promises, who were the winners and losers in the 2020 Budget? Winners Borrowers Even before the Budget began, the... Read More

After delays and the appointment of Rishi Sunak as Chancellor just weeks ago following the resignation of Sajid Javid, the Budget was finally delivered this week. It’s the first to be given since the UK left the EU on 31st January 2020, with the country now in a transition period, and comes amid the coronavirus outbreak. Both featured in Sunak’s address, with coronavirus being named as the key challenge facing the country today, noting that there is likely to be a temporary economic disruption, and playing a role in several of the announcements. The economy and public finances The headline figures from the Office of Budget Responsibility haven’t taken the impact of coronavirus into account. With this in mind, GDP... Read More

During the 19th century, the presence of a permanent maintenance crew on the Forth Rail Bridge gave rise to a well-used colloquial term for a never-ending job. ‘Painting the Forth Bridge’ has become a common phrase for describing a task that, once completed, is immediately out of date. Even though it’s only just finished, you have to start again. (Just as an aside, this was never true of the Forth Rail Bridge. The crew simply tended to more weathered areas of the bridge when required.) In many ways, a financial plan is the same as the famous Scottish bridge. As soon as the plan is made it is out of date, so the work comes in maintaining the plan, just... Read More

Regular readers will know that I’m not prone to writing about myself. I’d much rather talk about you and your needs than waffle on about what I have been up to! However, I had some exciting news earlier this month that I felt I had to share – mostly because I need to thank my clients who are entirely responsible. Each year, The Times and the financial advice ratings site VouchedFor team up to produce a list of the UK’s top-rated financial advisers and planners. More than 130,000 verified client reviews are considered, and the guide highlights those advisers who: Achieved an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 during 2019 Have received more than ten reviews Are a fully... Read More