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By Samuel Mather-Holgate From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included in the value of a deceased person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes. This creates the risk of a “double tax” effect, where the pension may first suffer 40% inheritance tax, and then the beneficiary may also pay…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate 🔑 Key Takeaways Getting a mortgage at 65 is possible — but depends on income and term length The biggest barriers are affordability and age limits, not the property itself The Right to Buy discount can often act as the deposit Equity release may be an option, but only with careful advice…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Key Takeaways: Middle East Conflict & Mortgage Rates Explained Global events like Middle East tensions can directly impact UK mortgage rates Rising oil prices increase inflation expectations Mortgage rates are driven by swap rates, not just the Bank of England base rate We are already seeing some lenders increase rates and withdraw…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Key Buy-to-Let Takeaways (2026) Expect to need 15–20% deposit for most buy-to-let mortgages Stamp duty now includes a 5% surcharge on additional properties Higher deposits generally produce stronger monthly cashflow Lower deposits can help you scale a portfolio faster SPV limited companies are often more efficient for multi-property portfolios Always factor in…
Key Takeaways: Tax-Free Income in the UK • Use your £12,570 personal allowance• Maximise ISA income and withdrawals• Use the personal savings allowance• Consider the rent-a-room scheme• Use dividend allowances and spousal planning• Review retirement income structures As tax thresholds remain frozen until at least 2031, more people than ever are paying income tax. This…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate As 5 April approaches, the end of the tax year is one of the most important planning moments in the calendar. Every year, valuable tax allowances are lost.>Every year, investment portfolios drift.>Every year, families miss opportunities to reduce inheritance tax exposure. But 2026 is different. With pensions due to fall inside inheritance…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Few things feel worse than being told “your mortgage application has been declined.” You’ve found the house.You’ve run the numbers.You thought you were fine. Then the lender says no. If this has happened to you in Swindon, Cirencester or Bristol, you are not alone — and it doesn’t mean you can’t get…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many aspiring homeowners in Swindon, Bristol and Cirencester, the challenge hasn’t just been saving for a deposit — it’s understanding whether today’s mortgage market actually works for you. Recent shifts in lending patterns mean the market isn’t just about interest rates anymore. While mortgage rates have eased and competition is rising,…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Over the past year, few groups have faced as much uncertainty around inheritance tax (IHT) as farmers and landowners. Since Labour announced restrictions and reforms affecting Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) in the Budget — followed by consultation, clarification, and back-and-forth — many farming families are left asking…
By Samuel Mather-Holgate If you’re an SME director, part of an HR team, or responsible for payroll, chances are your company pension scheme hasn’t had much attention since auto-enrolment first arrived. For many businesses, the decision was simple at the time: “We’ll just use NEST — it ticks the box.” Fast forward a few years,…
