Latest articles by Katie Williams
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MPs warn over Lifetime ISAs which could leave savers out of pocket
The Treasury Committee has highlighted confusion around the Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge, which risks consumers losing “a significant part of their savings”
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The £40k cost of starting your pension five years late – and how to fix it
Savers who postponed their pension saving by five years when they first started working could be £40k worse off in retirement. Can you fix the errors of your youth?
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What are safe-haven assets and should you invest in them?
Investors often look to safe-haven assets like gold in times of market turmoil, but do they live up to the name?
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When is the next Bank of England base rate meeting?
The Bank of England held the base rate at 4.25% in June. When is the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting and will interest rates fall?
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Bargain bling: invest in luxury stocks while they are out of style?
Although sellers of luxury goods are more insulated than many industries, economic headwinds have been holding them back too. Is now a good time to pick up a bargain?
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Is the London Stock Exchange in peril?
More than 150 companies have left the London Stock Exchange or moved their primary listing since the start of 2024. What does it mean for investors and the economy?
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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
