Latest articles by Katie Williams
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UK interest rates held at 4.25%
The Bank of England voted to hold interest rates at their current level by a 6-3 majority at its June meeting
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How high earners could boost their pension by thousands and cut childcare costs
Salary sacrifice could boost your pension by thousands, while also helping you save on childcare costs. We delve into the numbers.
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What has changed with employers’ National Insurance – and how will it impact you?
Will you feel the effects of the National Insurance hike, as businesses warn of redundancies, smaller pay rises and higher inflation?
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Steel industry still in limbo as Trump and Starmer finalise parts of trade deal
Donald Trump has signed an order confirming parts of the UK-US trade deal, but 25% steel and aluminium tariffs remain in place
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Paying the grandkids’ school fees could generate a shock IHT bill
Private school fees have soared as a result of the government’s VAT policy, meaning more grandparents are helping out – but what are the tax implications?
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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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Is now a good time to sell a house?
Buyer demand is cooling but more houses are coming up for sale, suggesting buyers may have more flexibility when negotiating a price than sellers
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How taking a two-year career break could leave a £26k hole in your pension
Career breaks are increasingly common but it is important to take steps to protect your pension, as gaps compound over time
