Latest Finanical News

News & Insights

Retired couple enjoying a holiday by the pool

Inheritance Tax on Pensions from 2027: Could Your Family Face a 67% Tax Trap?

Advice, General info, Tips | September 3, 2026

By Samuel Mather-Holgate For years, pensions have occupied a particularly valuable place in estate planning. Unlike most other investments, unused pension funds have generally been able to sit outside an individual’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. This has meant that many people have deliberately spent ISAs, savings and other assets first while leaving their pension untouched to pass to children or other beneficiaries. That strategy is about to change significantly. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be brought within…

Teacher with small children in a nursery setting, representing the expansion of free childcare funding in September 2025

Big Changes Ahead for Childcare Funding — What’s Coming in September 2025?

Economic Update, Tips | August 21, 2025

Back on 8th August 2024, we explained how childcare funding was expected to expand — including the move to offer 30 hours of free childcare for eligible 2-year-olds…

Why St James’s Place (SJP) Is Facing Criticism — and What It Means for Cirencester Clients

General info, Tips | August 19, 2025

If you’re searching for an alternative SJP adviser or financial adviser in Cirencester, now is the perfect time for a review. Especially given recent scrutiny of Stn  James’s Place…

Bank of England building with Union Jack flag flying in front, symbolising UK monetary policy

Bank of England Cuts Rates to 4%: What Swindon Savers and Borrowers Need to Know

Economic Update, General info | August 7, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Today, the Bank of England lowered the base rate from 4.25% to 4.0% in a narrow 5–4 vote — its fifth cut since August 2024….

Close-up of a pound coin resting on the Union Flag, symbolising the UK economy and the Bank of England interest rate decision

Bank of England Rate Decision Tomorrow — What Savers and Borrowers Should Know

General info, Tips | August 6, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Tomorrow is Bank Rate day, and the Bank of England faces a crucial decision on whether to cut interest rates again. With inflation still running…

Swans gliding across the lake at Coate Water Country Park in Swindon, a peaceful natural spot near local housing developments

Mortgage Advice Swindon: How the Market Is Shifting — And What It Means for You

General info, Tips | July 19, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate The UK mortgage market has entered a new phase — and if you’re a homebuyer in Swindon, you may now be able to borrow more…

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

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

Advice, Tips | July 14, 2025

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…

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

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

General info | July 10, 2025

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…

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

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

Advice, Tips | July 5, 2025

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…

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

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

Tips | June 23, 2025

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…

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

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

Economic Update, Tips | June 17, 2025

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…

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

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

Tips | June 16, 2025

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…

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

Financial Advice for UK Expats Living in Mallorca

Tips | June 7, 2025

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…

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

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

Advice, Tips | June 7, 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…

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

Advice | June 2, 2025

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…

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

Trump’s Reckless Tariff Strategy: Markets in Meltdown

Economic Update, Tips | April 5, 2025

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…

Mum and daughter doing yoga together, symbolising balance, wellbeing, and passing down positive financial habits

Financial Lessons We Learn from Mum – And How to Pass Them On

Advice, Tips | March 30, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many of us, our first experience of money came from Mum. Whether it was being handed a few coins for sweets, learning how to…

Older woman practicing yoga outdoors, representing active retirement and healthy lifestyle in later life

The Biggest Retirement Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Advice, Tips | March 23, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Are You Making These Common Retirement Planning Mistakes? Retirement should be a time to enjoy life without money worries—but for many people, that’s not the…

Swindon Train Station sign, highlighting the town’s strong transport links and property market appeal.

Swindon Property Market Update 2025: A Resilient Market with Strong Growth Potential

Advice, Tips | March 14, 2025

A personal opinion piece by Samuel Mather-Holgate Swindon’s property market has made an impressive start to 2025, with house prices rising by 2.2% over the past year, surpassing…

Happy multi-generational family outdoors, including grandparents, parents, and children, symbolising estate planning, wills, and securing financial futures

What Happens to Your Money When You Die? The Essentials of Wills and Estate Planning

Advice, Tips | March 14, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Why Do So Many People Avoid Making a Will? Let’s be honest—no one likes thinking about death. It feels far off, complicated, and maybe even…

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping standing with U.S. and Chinese flags, symbolising trade tensions and their impact on global markets

Market Volatility & Trump’s Tariffs: What Investors Need to Know

Advice | March 5, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate Understanding the Recent Market Turbulence Global financial markets have faced increased volatility following the announcement of new U.S. tariffs. The United States has imposed: A…

International Women’s Day 2025: #AccelerateAction for Women in Financial Services

Advice, Tips | March 3, 2025

By Helen Quayle, Independent Financial Adviser for Mather & Murray Financial- International Women’s Day is on 8th March 2025: It gives me a real buzz when people reach…

Rachel Reeves, UK Chancellor, holding the red Budget Box, symbolising the tax year-end and upcoming financial planning opportunities for 2025

Tax Year-End Planning: What You Need to Consider Before 6th April

Advice, Tips | February 21, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate As we approach the end of the 2024/25 tax year on 5th April, time is running out to make the most of your tax allowances…

Retired couple enjoying a holiday by the pool, representing the benefits of boosting your pension for a comfortable retirement.

Ten Reasons to Boost Your Pension Before April 2025

Advice, Tips | February 10, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate As the tax year draws to a close, there’s no better time to review your pension contributions and ensure you’re taking full advantage of the…

A co-habiting couple holding paper hearts, representing the importance of property rights and legal protection for unmarried partners

The Hidden Risks of Co-Habiting: What You Need to Know About Property Ownership

Advice, Tips | January 27, 2025

By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many couples, co-habiting feels like a natural step in their relationship. You share a home, expenses, and perhaps even dreams for the future. However,…

What we do

Trusted by clients across the UK

Just great communication and support with clear instructions and advise

Debbie Smith

3 days ago

Mather & Murray Financial helped me with my first mortgage, thought out the process they went out of their way to ensure everything went smoothly. My mortgage broker Sherril Moore contacted me after work hours to help arrange my mortgage offer and would routinely update me when there was a change to interest rates to ensure I had the best mortgage offer I could. I would highly recommend using Mather & Murray Financial for arranging a mortgage. Update: I have since used Sherril at Mather & Murray to do a Further Advance to my mortgage, once again it was a painless and quick process. Sherril quickly responded to my initial request and after a few emails exchanges and a phone call the application was ready. I was over the moon with the service provided by Sherril and Mather & Murray.

Response from the owner:Thanks for your review Isaac. We're really pleased you are happy with the service and advice you received from Sherril.

Isaac Herbert

5 days ago

Wonderful service, I wouldn't be in my first home without it!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Tom, for your lovely review. We’re thrilled to hear Sarah was able to support you on the journey to your first home. It means a great deal to know her help made such a positive difference.

Tom Jarvis

1 week ago

A positive experience Rachel was extremely professional & Knowledgeable. She explained everything clearly & I never felt pressured throughout the whole process. She was always available to answer any questions & she took time to understand my circumstances & what I wanted to achieve. I have complete confidence in thire advice & would have no hesitation recommending them to anyone considering equity release. Elizabeth Firth

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for your thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear Rachel made the process clear, professional, and pressure-free, and that you felt listened to and supported throughout. Your confidence in the advice you received means a great deal, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.

Elizabeth Firth

2 weeks ago

I would definitely recommend this company. I was treated with respect and patience and kept informed at all times.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Pam, for your kind review. We’re really pleased to hear you felt respected, supported, and kept informed throughout. Your recommendation means a great deal to us.

Pam Lewis

2 weeks ago

Sarah, was a fantastic, knowledgable advisor throughout the process. I feel she went above and beyond to help my partner and i understand everything fully and kept consistent communication throughout! I will advise family and friends to use MMF and Sarah in particular going forward. 10/10 Service!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Josh, for your fantastic review. We’re really pleased to hear Sarah was able to support you so clearly throughout the process and keep you well informed along the way. It’s lovely to know you felt she went above and beyond, and we truly appreciate you recommending MMF and Sarah to your family and friends.

Josh Camper King

2 weeks ago

Rachel is nothing short of fantastic. Gave us so much time and was amazing at explaining things to us clearly as we had never had a mortgage or even applied before. From start to finish nothing was ever too much. Our experience as a whole with Mather and Murray has been amazing and we would highly recommend.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Matthew, for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear Rachel was able to make the mortgage process clear and supportive from start to finish, especially as it was your first time applying. It means a great deal to know you had such a positive experience with Mather & Murray, and we really appreciate your recommendation.

Matthew Lewis

2 weeks ago

Attentive and professional service. I felt looked after across the process. Thank you for the great assistance provided

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you felt well taken care of throughout the process. Providing attentive and professional service is our top priority, and your feedback reinforces our commitment to excellence. We look forward to assisting you again in the future.

Rosi

3 weeks ago

Understood my position and gave considered professional advice which can be adapted to changing circumstances, very patient with my questions.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear you felt listened to and supported, and that our advice was helpful and adaptable to your circumstances. We really appreciate your feedback and were happy to answer your questions along the way.

Richard Saunders

1 month ago

I cannot speak highly enough of Sherril Moore who expertly, with great kindness and humour, guided us through a very long and what became complicated financial matter. Thank you so very much Sherril, I literally don’t know where we would be without you and latterly Anne Hevingham.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Derek, for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that Sherril’s expertise, kindness and humour made such a difference throughout a long and challenging process, and we’re pleased Anne was able to support you as well. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to us.

Derek Loring

1 month ago

Sean was really helpful and worked really hard to find me a remortgage that worked for me always on the end of the line to answer any questions i had i would recommend mather and Murray

Response from the owner:Thank you, Michael, for your kind review. We’re delighted Sean was able to help you find a remortgage that suited your needs and was there to answer your questions throughout. We really appreciate your recommendation and your support.

Michael Bennett

1 month ago

Lovely people, both Kate and Sue were very reassuring on a subject I find stressful. Kate produced a plan for my pension that fulfilled all I required. During the transfer process, Kate constantly sent updates and we had further conversations so she could provide an outstanding service for me. Everything went smoothly, and I am truly grateful to her knowledge and professionalism during a difficult time.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Jonathan, for your thoughtful review. We’re so pleased Kate and Sue were able to put you at ease and support you throughout the process. It’s wonderful to hear that Kate’s professionalism, regular updates and guidance made everything run smoothly. We really appreciate your kind words and your trust in Mather & Murray Financial.

jonathan crowe

1 month ago

Mike Rice has been professional and extremely personable throughout the whole process of choosing the most appropriate pension and investment options to suit my attitude to risk. His support and guidance throughout the whole process has been faultless. I look forward to continuing with his support and cannot recommend him highly enough.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Mike. We’re delighted to hear that Mike Rice’s professional, personable support and guidance made the process of considering your pension and investment options so positive. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal, and we look forward to continuing to support you.

Mike Bretnall

1 month ago

Outstanding service. I highly recommend Sean Davis for anyone in need of a knowledgeable and reliable mortgage adviser. he took all the stress away from remortgaging our house and worked brilliantly with our solicitors to get it done.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so pleased to hear Sean was able to take the stress out of your remortgage and work smoothly with your solicitors to get everything completed. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Agostinho Picardo

2 months ago

Worked very closely with these guys over the last 5 years, recommended to me by the NHS. I finally feel like our finances are in control and we have a long term plan. We’ve had some excellent advice from two very knowledgeable advisors. Very non biased and really good at explaining in layman’s terms - highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thank you, Jane, for such a thoughtful review and for your trust over the past five years — it really means a lot to us. We’re delighted to hear you now feel in control of your finances and have a clear long-term plan in place. It’s great to know the advice has been clear, balanced and easy to understand — that’s exactly what we aim to deliver for every client. Our support continues from here. We’ll be in touch for your regular reviews to keep everything on track, and of course you can contact us any time if your circumstances or goals change. On behalf of the whole team at Mather & Murray Financial, thank you for your recommendation — we really appreciate it.

Jane Brodie

2 months ago

Steven Archer at Mather and Murray has been an absolute godsend. I have four pensions and other investments that I hadn’t a clue what to do with or how to get a regular tax efficient income from. Steve has managed to explain everything clearly and concisely and has come up with a plan tailored to my situation. I now feel much more secure and confident in the future. He is knowledgeable, professional, and personable. If you need to sort out your retirement finances, I highly recommend Steve at Mather and Murray.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Mark. We’re delighted to hear that Steve was able to explain everything clearly and help you feel more confident about your retirement planning. It’s wonderful to know his knowledgeable, professional and personable approach made such a positive difference. We really appreciate your recommendation.

Mark Allen

2 months ago

I found your company via the find an IFA website. The whole process from booking an initial appointment to discussing with Mike was excellent throughout and he explained all the options and my attitude to risk and helped me choose an appropriate option for my pension now I have reached the age of 55. Mike has been in touch regularly throughout the process and will continue to provide support including advice on my new work pension and where to invest. I can't recommend Mike highly enough. Many Thanks. :-)

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your lovely review, Andrew. We’re really pleased to hear that the whole process felt clear and supportive from start to finish, and that Mike was able to explain your options in a way that helped you feel confident about your pension planning. It’s great to know his regular communication and ongoing support have been appreciated. Thank you again for your kind recommendation.

Andrew Bridges

2 months ago

Sean was a breath of fresh air. Very knowledgeable, friendly with a swift response turnaround with correspondence. Highly recommend this company.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind review, Lisa. We’re delighted to hear that Sean’s knowledgeable, friendly approach and prompt communication made such a positive impression. We really appreciate your recommendation.

Lisa Connor

2 months ago

Sherrill was so helpful and pleasant, polite, friendly and human! Everything was explained in plain terms and not rushed. The whole process was seamless and Sherrill supported me throughout. I am extremely pleased that I chose Mather and Murray to help me and would not hesitate to reccomend them and Sherrill to others who needed pensions advice.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so pleased to hear that Sherrill made the process feel clear, supportive and unrushed. Explaining things in plain terms and making people feel comfortable is exactly what we aim for, especially when it comes to pensions advice. We really appreciate your kind words and your recommendation of Sherrill and Mather & Murray Financial.

Maryann Hindmarch

2 months ago

Sherril along with Mather & Murray have provided me with excellent advice regarding my personal pension and retirement planning. I found Sherril very professional & I appreciated her friendly approach in managing my finances. I would highly recommend Sherril to anyone looking for a reliable retirement advice.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Stephen, for your kind review and recommendation. We’re delighted to hear that Sherril’s professional yet friendly approach made such a positive difference. It’s great to know you felt well supported with your pension and retirement planning, and we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with Mather & Murray Financial.

Stephen Driscoll

3 months ago

Rachel Hutton was amazing, she was very knowledgable, always happy to advise and easy to contact whenever we had questions. We were very lucky to find her and would strongly recommend her particularly as a mortgage advisor which was what she helped us with, thankyou Rachel!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Chris, for your wonderful review. We’re so pleased to hear Rachel was knowledgeable, approachable and easy to contact throughout. It’s great to know her mortgage advice made such a positive difference, and your recommendation means a lot to us.

Chris Balshaw

3 months ago

Excellent service from Sean and the team. Very professional, friendly and helpful. Sean ensured the transactions went through smoothly to its conclusion. We would highly recommend them to others and will use them again if the need arises. Thank you to all

Response from the owner:Thank you, Barrie, for such a lovely review. We’re delighted to hear Sean and the team provided a professional, friendly and helpful service, and that everything went smoothly through to completion. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’d be very happy to help again whenever needed.

Barrie Hamilton

3 months ago

I am very happy with the service of Mather and Murray for obtaining my pension and specially with the help from Kate Ricks. Very professional, done everything on time and cooperated.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Blair, for your kind review. We’re so pleased to hear you were happy with the service and that Kate’s support made the process a positive one. We really appreciate your feedback and are glad everything was handled professionally and on time.

Blair Marriott

3 months ago

Sean Davis guided us through our process in a measured and very professional manner. There was no hard sell, very transparent and honest throughout and he communicated with us regularly throughout the process. I would not only recommend Mather and Murray but we will be using them again in the future.

Response from the owner:Thank you, David. We’re really pleased to hear Sean guided you through the process in such a professional, transparent and supportive way. It means a great deal to know you felt there was no hard sell and that the communication was clear throughout. We truly appreciate your recommendation of Mather & Murray Financial and look forward to helping you again in the future.

David Connor

3 months ago

We used Sean to assist us in selling our 1st property and ending that mortgage and then buying our new home, finding the best mortgage to suit us and then setting everything up. Along with improving our life insurance, critical illness and income cover. From start to finish Sean was brilliant and a great help with everything and anything. When the process got delayed or obstacles came up he was always on hand to help, check in or make recommendations. We would highly recommend Mather and Murray and Sean and his expertise

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Mollie. We’re delighted to hear Sean was able to support you from start to finish with your mortgage and protection needs, especially through the delays and obstacles along the way. It’s wonderful to know you felt well looked after and that Sean’s help and recommendations made a difference. We really appreciate your kind words and recommendation of Mather & Murray Financial.

Mollie Potts

3 months ago

Join thousands of satisfied clients across the UK

MortgagesPensionsProtectionWills & TrustsEquity ReleaseEmployer ServicesWealthInvestmentOptions at Retirement Inheritance TaxMortgagesPensionsProtectionWills & TrustsEquity ReleaseEmployer ServicesWealthInvestmentOptions at Retirement Inheritance Tax

Latest News

Market updates & expert insight

VIEW ALL ARTICLES

Inheritance Tax on Pensions from 2027: Could Your Family Face a 67% Tax Trap?
September 3, 2026 | Advice, General info, Tips
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For years, pensions have occupied a particularly valuable place in estate planning. Unlike most other investments, unused pension funds have generally been able to sit outside an individual’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. This has meant that many people have deliberately spent ISAs, savings and other assets first while leaving their pension…
READ ARTICLE
Should I Consolidate My Pensions? Pros, Cons and What to Check Before Combining The
September 1, 2026 | Advice, General info, Tips
By Samuel Mather-Holgate If you have changed jobs several times during your career, there is a good chance you have built up more than one pension. One pension might be with a former employer. Another may be an old personal pension. You may also have a current workplace pension receiving contributions today. That often leads…
READ ARTICLE
St James’s Place vs Independent Financial Adviser | Mather & Murray
August 20, 2026 | Advice, General info
Written by Sam Mather-Holgate, Independent Financial Adviser Key Takeaways St James’s Place advisers are not independent financial advisers; they advise within the St James’s Place proposition. An independent financial adviser can consider suitable products and providers from across the wider market. Restricted advice is not automatically poor advice, and independent advice is not automatically better….
READ ARTICLE

Book your free consultation today to get started.

Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your monthly repayments and see how much you could borrow based on your income.

Try the calculator

Stamp Duty Calculator

Estimate how much stamp duty you will need to pay on your next property purchase.

Calculate Stamp Duty