Tips
Mortgage 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 MoreBig Changes Ahead for Childcare Funding — What’s Coming 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…
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 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 MoreSwindon House Prices Rising: What This Means for Your Mortgage in 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 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…
Read MoreIs the Cash ISA Limit Being Cut? What Savers and Homeowners Need to Know in 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 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…
Read MoreIs Now the Time to Fix Your Mortgage Rate in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know
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…
Read MoreBank of England Interest Rate Decision: What It Means for Your Money in 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 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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