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Burnham’s first economic test: fix Britain fast — or markets will do it for him
Andy Burnham is widely expected to become prime minister later this month, and his first major economic speech was closely watched by markets because the UK is already facing high borrowing costs and fragile confidence. The immediate market reaction to Burnham’s speech was relatively calm: sterling edged up and gilt yields fell after he said…
Read MoreJoin us in Bristol for Wealth & Wine: Sip, Connect & Learn
Key takeaways: Mather & Murray Financial is co-hosting Wealth & Wine: Sip, Connect & Learn in Bristol on Thursday 9 July 2026 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The event is being hosted alongside Rathbones and Clarke Willmott and is designed to combine wine tasting, conversation, networking and financial insight in a more relaxed setting. Guests can…
Read MoreWhy Swindon is one of the most exciting places to buy property in the South West right now
Swindon’s average house price was £257,000 in March 2026, well below Bristol (£348,000) and Cotswold (£406,000), giving buyers a much lower entry point in a broadly similar regional market. Swindon is pushing hard on growth, with the council backing major town centre regeneration and describing the borough as a £12.7 billion GVA economy. Defence Secretary…
Read MoreThe pension inheritance tax trap: why families could lose 67% — or even more
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 income tax when…
Read More🏡 Can You Get a Mortgage at 65 to Buy Your Council House?
🔑 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 Family support can…
Read More🌍 How the Middle East Conflict Is Impacting UK Mortgage Rates
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 deals The outlook…
Read MoreBuilding a Buy-to-Let Portfolio in 2026: Where to Start
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 fees, maintenance and…
Read More10 Ways to Generate Tax-Free Income in the UK (Before the Tax Year Ends)
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…
Read MoreTax Year End 2026: The Definitive Financial Planning Checklist
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 tax from April…
Read MoreRejected for a Mortgage? What to Do Next in Swindon, Cirencester or Bristol
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 a mortgage. It…
Read MoreFirst-Time Buyers and Low-Deposit Mortgages in 2026: What’s Changed and How a Local Adviser Helps
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, changes in loan-to-income…
Read MoreInheritance Tax and Farming: Making Sense of the Changes and What You Can Do Now
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 the same question:…
Read MoreIs It Time to Review Your Company Pension? Why Many SMEs Are Moving Away from NEST
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, and many employers…
Read MoreWhy 2026 Is Becoming a Defining Year for Mortgages and Financial Planning in Swindon and Cirencester
By Samuel Mather-Holgate If you live in or around Swindon or Cirencester, chances are you’ve felt it already — the financial landscape is shifting again. Mortgage rates are no longer rising, lenders are quietly becoming more flexible, tax rules are tightening in the background, and households are asking the same question: “Should we be doing…
Read MoreAutumn Budget 2025: Underwhelming — and Exactly What Britain Needed
By Samuel Mather-Holgate What today’s announcements mean for your taxes, pensions, savings, and household finances. After months of noisy rumours, political kite-flying and leaks that sent markets on edge, Rachel Reeves has delivered her second Budget — and in many ways, it was underwhelming.But that’s precisely what the country needed today. With inflation proving sticky,…
Read MoreHow Expensive Is It to Have Children? A Financial Adviser’s Take on Raising Kids in the UK
By Samuel Mather-Holgate They say children don’t come with a manual — but maybe they should come with a financial statement.From the moment you buy that first babygrow to the day you wave them off to university, raising children in the UK can be one of life’s most rewarding (and most expensive) experiences. So, just…
Read MoreHow Couples Can Build Wealth Together (and Avoid Financial Tension)
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Money can be a powerful tool — but it can also be one of the biggest sources of stress in a relationship.According to the Money & Pensions Service, nearly one in three UK couples argue about money at least once a month, and almost half admit they don’t have a clear plan…
Read MoreWhy Your Mortgage and Financial Planning Should Work Together
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For most people in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol, their mortgage is the single biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make. At the same time, many families rely on financial advice for pensions, savings, and investments. But too often these two areas are treated separately, when in reality your mortgage strategy and financial plan…
Read MoreHigh LTV and High LTI Mortgages: What Borrowers in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol Need to Know
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many people, buying a home feels just out of reach. Rising house prices, especially in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol, mean larger deposits and bigger loans are needed. The good news? Lenders are beginning to re-open their doors to high loan-to-value (LTV) and high loan-to-income (LTI) mortgages. If you’re wondering whether these…
Read MoreMortgage Advice in Swindon and Cirencester: Why Using a Broker Makes All the Difference
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many homeowners and buyers, finding the right mortgage is straightforward. But for others, it can feel like an uphill battle. If you’ve ever been declined, told your case is “too complicated,” or struggled with unusual circumstances, you’ll know how stressful the process can be. That’s where we come in. At Mather…
Read MoreEmployer Responsibilities for Workplace Pensions & Auto-Enrolment – A Guide for Businesses
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Running a business is about more than sales, profits, and growth — it’s also about looking after your employees. One of the most important responsibilities you have as an employer is providing access to a workplace pension scheme. Since the introduction of auto-enrolment, all employers — from sole traders with one employee…
Read MoreWhy St James’s Place (SJP) Is Facing Criticism — and What It Means for Cirencester Clients
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 and growing consumer concern over fees, fund performance, and transparency. St. James’s Place (SJP), one of the UK’s largest wealth management firms, has been in the headlines…
Read MoreBank of England Cuts Rates to 4%: What Swindon Savers and Borrowers Need to Know
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. The decision was described by Governor Bailey as “finely balanced” Let’s break down the context, implications, and what this means for people in Swindon. Why Did the…
Read MoreBank of England Rate Decision Tomorrow — What Savers and Borrowers Should Know
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 above target and political and economic uncertainty elsewhere, the stakes are high — and the outcome could directly affect mortgages, savings, and cost-of-living for your clients in…
Read MoreMortgage Advice Swindon: How the Market Is Shifting — And What It Means for You
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 than you thought. Since Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech, many lenders have begun relaxing their lending criteria, especially for first-time buyers. At the same time, major rate…
Read MoreMather & Murray Financial Returns to Its Roots with Office Move to Cricklade
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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