Homeowners in the UK may have noticed that their home insurance premiums have significantly increased. In Q3 2024, the average buildings and contents insurance policy cost £407*– up 16% on the previous year. Regional differences Some regions have been harder hit than...

In today's uncertain economic climate, financial resilience is more crucial than ever. In a recent report*, an impressive 69% of UK workers said they feel very financially resilient – up 4% since last year. Despite this, only 52% hold a protection policy, which leaves...

Recent reductions to Bank Rate may have prompted some cautious optimism among consumers, a report* suggests. In December 2024, rent and mortgage spending increased annually by 1.8% – a significant improvement on the previous month, when spending grew by 8.2% annually....

UK cities saw big increases in property market activity in 2024, according to GetAgent. It reported 45% of all homes listed for sale across Britain in 2024 either had an offer accepted or were sold subject to contract. Sunderland led the way, with the number of homes...

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported UK house prices increased by an average of £10,000 in the year to October 2024. The report showed the value of a typical home to be an estimated £292,000, an annual increase of 3.4% compared to £282,000 recorded in...

Getting life insurance is a way to prepare for the worst and to protect what matters most to you. Workers in the UK are facing a ‘life insurance equality gap’, according to research*. The life insurer’s survey reveals just 50% of salaried workers have taken out life...

UK mortgage rates in the spotlight as economic factors suggest rates could rise again. Hopes that the Bank of England would significantly lower interest rates in 2025, leading to cheaper mortgages, now seem less likely, thanks to global bond market sell-offs and...

Have first-time buyers left it too late to pay lower Stamp Duty? It would appear so. At present, first-time buyers pay no Stamp Duty when buying a home worth £425,000. However, from 1 April, Stamp Duty thresholds will return to pre-2022 levels, meaning the tax-free...

Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey is confident inflation will fade in 2025, which could mean as many as four interest rate cuts over the year. Bailey told the Financial Times in December that despite recent higher points, he still expected inflation to...

Life insurance is a vital safety net, yet misconceptions often prevent people from taking out protection. Here are some common myths: “It’s too expensive” Many believe life insurance is unaffordable, but policies are available for various budgets. Premiums can be...

Life insurance provides vital protection but as your circumstances change, so too should your cover. Here's when to review your life insurance: Marriage Getting married often means having joint financial commitments with your spouse. You might need a higher level of...

House prices are expected to stay on a positive trajectory over the course of 2025*. House prices returned to growth in 2024, with prices increasing by 1.5% in the 12 months to October – an improvement on -1.2% the year before. The average UK house price is £267,000...

Research* indicates that homebuying affordability has slightly improved in relation to income. In the summer of 2022, the house price to earnings ratio reached a record high of 7.24. Since then, affordability has been slowly easing; in 2024, the average house price to...

Many first-time buyers (FTBs) are not aware of affordable homeownership schemes that could help them get on the property ladder, research* has found. A recent survey asked renters in London about their perceived barriers to homeownership. Nearly half (48%) cited...

Property experts predict a surge in transactions early in 2025 ahead of Stamp Duty changes in April. In the 2022 mini-budget Stamp Duty thresholds were increased, so in the last two years homebuyers have paid a reduced amount of tax. However, in the Autumn Budget...