Pre-Budget tax planning – act now

With the next UK Budget approaching, there is speculation about changes to tax rates, allowances, and reliefs. Acting now can help secure current benefits before any new rules take effect. Key areas to review: Personal allowances – make sure you are using your...

Challenging your Council Tax band

If your property has changed or seems mis-banded, you may have the right to request a Council Tax review. Properties in England and Wales are assigned Council Tax bands based on their value as of 1 April 1991 (England) or 1 April 2003 (Wales). If you believe your...

Bank Rate trimmed to 4%

The Bank of England has knocked the main interest rate down to 4% today, cutting it by a quarter‑point from 4.25%. It’s the fifth cut in a year and brings the rate to its lowest since March 2023. The decision was a close call: the nine‑member Monetary Policy...

Shared home ownership

Shared home ownership offers a more accessible route to owning a home for those who cannot afford the full deposit or mortgage on a property that suits their needs. Under this scheme, buyers purchase a share of a property, typically between 10% and 75% of its market...

The impact of frozen personal allowances

The impact of frozen personal allowances often leads to fiscal drag, a situation where individuals pay more tax as their earnings rise without a corresponding increase in allowances. This occurs because tax thresholds remain fixed while wages increase, thus...