Blog

Swindon House Prices Rising: What This Means for Your Mortgage in 2025

July 14, 2025
View of Swindon Town FC County Ground highlighting the town’s property market and growing demand for mortgage advice in Swindon

By Samuel Mather-Holgate  Swindon’s property market is making headlines: average prices now sit at £259,000 — up 3.6% year-on-year — while first-time buyers are paying around £222,000, a 3.8% increase. Rents have surged too, averaging £1,053 a month — a nearly 10% hike, say ONS. But why are prices rising in Swindon more sharply than…

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Mather & Murray Financial Returns to Its Roots with Office Move to Cricklade

July 10, 2025
Cricklade High Street on a sunny day, lined with independent shops, historic buildings, and local businesses.

Local financial advice firm backs community-led regeneration project Mather & Murray Financial, a well-established financial planning firm originally founded in Swindon, is proud to announce its move to a new office in the heart of Cricklade – a town close to our hearts. Cricklade isn’t just our new business address – it’s where our story…

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Is the Cash ISA Limit Being Cut? What Savers and Homeowners Need to Know in 2025

July 5, 2025
Selection of newspaper front pages showing Rachel Reeves appearing emotional in the House of Commons amid speculation about cutting the Cash ISA limit

By Samuel Mather-Holgate As rumours swirl about the UK Government potentially cutting the annual Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to just £10,000, savers across the country are rightly concerned. With interest rates still elevated and the cost of living squeezing household budgets, tax-free savings remain a vital tool — not just for investors, but for…

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Is Now the Time to Fix Your Mortgage Rate in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know

June 23, 2025
Young couple with their child sitting at home discussing fixed mortgage rates and future financial plans

By Samuel Mather-Holgate In a year of economic uncertainty, many homeowners and buyers are asking the same question: should I fix my mortgage rate now, or wait? With interest rates held at 4.25% and speculation swirling about when they’ll fall again, it’s not an easy decision. Add in global tensions, rising oil prices, and inflationary…

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Bank of England Interest Rate Decision: What It Means for Your Money in 2025

June 17, 2025
Exterior of the Bank of England building in London ahead of the June 2025 interest rate announcement

By Samuel Mather-Holgate On Thursday 19 June, the Bank of England (BoE) will make one of its most closely watched decisions of the year — whether to change interest rates or hold steady at 4.25%. And while the headline decision is likely to be “no change”, that doesn’t mean this moment lacks importance. In fact,…

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Is the Triple Lock Sustainable – And What Does It Mean for Your Retirement?

June 16, 2025
Two older adults working out at the gym, representing an active lifestyle in retirement supported by smart financial planning beyond the State Pension

By Samuel Mather-Holgate The Triple Lock has long been seen as the gold standard of pension protection — a guarantee that the State Pension will rise each year to help pensioners keep pace with the cost of living. But as the UK faces growing pressure to manage public finances, many are asking: Is the Triple…

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Financial Advice for UK Expats Living in Mallorca

June 7, 2025
Port de Pollença coastline in Mallorca, popular with British expats seeking UK pension and investment advice

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Still have UK pensions, ISAs, or other investments? Just because you’ve moved to Mallorca doesn’t mean your financial planning should stop at the border. At Mather & Murray Financial, we help UK expats living in Spain — especially here in beautiful Mallorca — stay on track with their financial goals. Why UK…

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Cash ISA vs Stocks & Shares ISA in 2025: Where Should Your Money Be?

June 7, 2025
Person standing at a fork in the road, symbolising the choice between Cash ISA and Stocks & Shares ISA options in 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate With higher interest rates and market volatility dominating the financial headlines, many people are asking a familiar question with new urgency:Should I put my money in a Cash ISA or a Stocks & Shares ISA in 2025? Both types of ISAs allow you to grow your money free from income tax, capital…

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Annuities Are Back: Why More Retirees Are Locking In Guaranteed Income for Life

June 2, 2025
BBC logo symbolising financial news coverage and rising public interest in annuities

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Annuities — once considered unfashionable in the post-pension-freedom era — are firmly back in favour. According to the BBC’s Money Box programme, annuity sales have surged by 83% since 2020, a remarkable turnaround for a retirement product many had written off. So, what’s driving the revival? And more importantly, should you be…

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Trump’s Reckless Tariff Strategy: Markets in Meltdown

April 5, 2025
Inflatable orange balloon caricature of Donald Trump, symbolising market disruption and economic instability

By Samuel Mather-Holgate The financial markets have had a rough ride recently, and if you’re watching the news or checking your portfolio, you’ve probably felt the impact. One of the key drivers of this turbulence? The escalation of trade tariffs under former President Trump’s renewed economic influence, which is sending ripples—and in some cases, shockwaves—through…

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Money News

Banks will send savers details of possible investments and an ad campaign will raise awareness, the Treasury says.

NatWest bank has taken another step towards ending its business in the Republic of Ireland by selling its 12% shareholding in Permanent TSB (PTSB).

A group of landowners is challenging the government's attempts to reform the freehold and leasehold system of property ownership.

President Milei and his vice-president trade barbs after a controversial pension hike is approved.