Why Your Mortgage and Financial Planning Should Work Together

Two professionals wearing playful masks symbolising a strong working relationship, representing how mortgage advice and financial planning work together in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol.

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…

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High LTV and High LTI Mortgages: What Borrowers in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol Need to Know

Cartoon illustration of a house toppling off a stack of coins, representing mortgage affordability challenges in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol.

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…

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

Teacher with small children in a nursery setting, representing the expansion of free childcare funding in September 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 and beyond. Today, those reforms are becoming concrete. The final phase kicks in from September 2025, dramatically extending support for working families. What’s New Since Our Last…

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

St. James’s Place (SJP) logo used to highlight recent scrutiny of its fees and investment approach, with alternatives available from local independent financial advisers in Cirencester and Swindon.

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…

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

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

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…

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Swindon House Prices Rising: What This Means for Your Mortgage in 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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Is the Cash ISA Limit Being Cut? What Savers and Homeowners Need to Know in 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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