As we approach the end of the tax year, it's a good time to start thinking about how to make the most of the tax reliefs and allowances you’re entitled to, before they are lost. We’ve put together a checklist to ensure you’re aware of all the ways to make sure you don’t miss out.

1. Open or top up your ISA

You can hold up to £20,000 in your ISA in the 2023/2024 tax year and split the contribution, between either a Cash ISA or Stocks and Shares ISA.

2. Use your pension allowance

Usually if you’re under 75 can contribute to a pensi...

As a new year begins you may want a fresh start for you and your families’ health. Did you know that many insurance policies offer access to a range of health and wellbeing services that can help? You also don’t need to make a claim to use them as your protection policies aren’t just there for when things go wrong.

Often called added value benefits, these services can help you and your family start or maintain good health and make your lives easier, providing advice, assistance and information to keep you and your family healthy throug...

As we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, now’s the perfect time to make sure you’re fully prepared for the financial year ahead. To make it easy, we’ve summarised the key financial dates to put in your diaries:

January

• 1st – New Energy Price Cap – The new energy price cap for the next 3 months.
• 6th – National Insurance Tax Cut - The 12% NI rate will fall by 2 percentage points to 10% from 6 January, 2024.
• 31st – Self-Assessment Tax Deadline – You need to pay and submit your self-assessment tax return for the tax year ending 5th Apri...

• The National Living Wage is set to rise to £11.44 from April 2024. The new rate will also be extended to 21 & 22 year olds for the first time.
• £7 million over the next three years for educational programmes to ensure more support for schools and universities to understand, recognise and tackle racism.
• Working age benefits will rise by 6.7% from April 2024.
• Local housing allowance will be raised and £120m will be provided to prevent homelessness.
• The Pensions Triple Lock and Pension Credit will be protected and rise in April 2024 by 8.5...

Life can be full of surprises. You can’t be prepared for everything. You may have some insurance to support you financially if the unexpected happens, but have you considered how private medical insurance might offer you and your family the peace of mind you need if your health takes a turn for the worst?

A growing trend
According to data published by The Telegraph, close to half a million people have taken out private medical insurance over the past year, as NHS waiting lists hit record levels this autumn. According to government statist...

Traditionally, the value of financial advice has been measured by monetary results of investment performance and returns. Today, the cost of living crisis is causing many to re-evaluate the benefits of financial advice.

These days, financial planning is about more than simply looking after your money and protecting your wealth. As well as helping you see results in pounds and pence growth, we can also help ensure you are prepared to meet the challenges you may face in life.

Used as a trusted and impartial sounding board, we can hel...

It’s been a difficult year for investors so far. Inflation and political uncertainty have led to market volatility. Market volatility can be scary, especially if the value of your investments drops, but it’s important not to let fear guide your decision about whether to stay invested in your portfolio.

Here are three reassuring reasons for staying invested in the stock market during uncertain times.

01 The best financial decisions are not based on emotion

Emotions can play a big role in your financial decision making if you aren’t vigilan...