Latest articles by Katie Williams
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Private schools lose high court challenge over VAT – how much more will you pay?
It looks like higher private school fees are here to stay, after the high court dismissed a legal challenge over the government’s VAT policy
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Autumn Budget 2025: Will taxes rise further – and which areas could Rachel Reeves target?
After announcing cash injections for several departments in her June Spending Review, the chancellor has refused to rule out tax hikes this autumn
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UK economy slumped in April in headache for Rachel Reeves
The economy shrunk by 0.3% in April amid a perfect storm of business tax changes and US tariffs
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Rents rise at slowest pace for four years – is buy-to-let still worth it?
Slowing rental growth and higher property taxes are creating a headache for landlords. Does buy-to-let still offer a good yield?
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Should you bag a bargain with a half-price investment trust?
Twenty-six investment trusts look cheap by historic standards, with some trading at a discount of more than 50%. Are they a bargain or value trap?
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When will UK interest rates fall further? Latest Bank of England predictions
There are signs of weakening in the labour market, but is June too early for another interest rate cut?
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Frozen thresholds could push ‘tax freedom day’ to latest date this century
Tax freedom day is the point in the year you stop earning for the taxman and start earning for yourself. A rising tax burden could push it to 12 June this year – the latest date since 1982.
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What’s happening with UK house prices? Latest property market moves and forecasts
The property market has shown resilience following stamp duty changes earlier this year. Will house prices rise or fall in 2025?
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How much should I have in emergency savings?
One in ten have no savings at all, while over a fifth have less than £1,000, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected events. How much should you have in emergency savings?
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CPI vs RPI inflation: what is the difference between ONS measures?
The Office for National Statistics calculates CPI, RPI and CPIH each month. What are they and what do they reveal about UK inflation?
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UK inflation: Consumer Prices Index release dates
When is the next Consumer Prices Index report and what is the outlook for inflation?
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What is the 67% inheritance tax trap on pensions – and can you avoid it?
Your loved ones could find themselves paying an effective tax rate of 67% once pensions are brought into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. The concern has sparked an increase in wealth transfer conversations with financial planners.
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Donald Trump doubles steel and aluminium tariffs – what does it mean for markets?
Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs will be doubled to 50% from Wednesday. Will the UK be impacted following its trade deal agreement, and what does it mean for markets?
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How do Premium Bonds work?
This popular savings product from NS&I operates differently to a typical account. We look at how Premium Bonds work.
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Is a mortgage in retirement always a bad idea?
A mystery shopper exercise shows high street lenders are “shunning” retirees looking to take out a mortgage. Are they right to do so?
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Three funds to consider as UK small caps trade at 30% discount
UK small caps have been unloved for some time, but a shifting economic environment could give them a boost
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Six ways to boost your pension as over half of millennials “rarely think” about retirement savings
Those aged 29-44 are the most in-the-dark generation when it comes to pensions – but rising costs and longer lifespans could put them at particular risk
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IMF suggests “refinements” to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules
The IMF has upgraded the UK’s growth forecast but wants Reeves to refine her fiscal rules to avoid unnecessary spending cuts or tax rises
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What is the pension lifetime allowance – and could it be brought back?
The lifetime allowance was scrapped by the previous government, but a leaked memo from Angela Rayner’s department to the Treasury proposed bringing it back. How does the lifetime allowance work – and could it make a comeback?
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UK inflation jumps to 3.5%, hitting highest level in over a year
The headline rate of UK inflation jumped by more than expected to 3.5% in April, this morning's ONS report showed
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Are the wealthy dodging more tax than previously thought?
A new report suggests tax non-compliance among the wealthy could be worse than previously imagined. Is an overly complex system partly to blame?
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Which house price index is the best?
There are at least five indices measuring house prices. But which house price index is the best?
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UK-EU trade deal: Britain to get a £9bn boost to the economy by 2040
The government’s agreement with the EU follows on from separate deals with India and the United States. Will it breathe life into the UK economy?
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How to invest £50,000
If you come into a sudden windfall or have excess savings in the bank, you might want to put the money to work. Three financial experts tell us how they would invest £50,000.
