Latest articles by Laura Miller
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8 ways the ‘sandwich generation’ can protect wealthPeople squeezed between caring for ageing parents and adult children or younger grandchildren – known as the ‘sandwich generation’ – are at risk of neglecting their own financial planning. Here’s how to protect yourself and your loved ones’ wealth.
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The ‘mirror will’ flaw which could mean your savings end up with strangers – how to protect your legacyWriting a will lets you pass your wealth onto your loved ones. But couples with a so-called ‘mirror will’ could unintentionally leave their family exposed to being cut out.
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Average income tax by area: The parts of the UK paying the most tax mappedThe UK’s total income tax bill was £240.7 billion 2022/23, but the tax burden is not spread equally around the country. We look at the towns and boroughs that have the highest average income tax bill.
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Inheritance tax investigations net HMRC an extra £246m from bereaved familiesHMRC embarked on almost 4,000 probes into unpaid inheritance tax in the year to last April, new figures show, in an increasingly tough crackdown on families it thinks have tried to evade their full bill
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Top reasons homeowners use equity release to access £4 trillion housing wealthThe equity release market grew 11% in 2025, according to the latest data, as the over 55s rushed to make use of the trillions of pounds tied up in their homes. Here’s what they did with the money.
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Waspi women compensation rejected again by the governmentMany women born in the 1950s got a raw deal due to the rising state pension age. The “Waspi” campaign group has been lobbying for compensation for years. We outline the journey so far and explore whether they might finally receive some money.
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Best places to live in England and Wales in 2026 – and how much they costCriteria like value for money, natural beauty, good schools, jobs and a high quality of life are key for those looking at areas to buy a house – but how much will it cost you to live in a high ranking town or city? We reveal the best places to live in England and Wales.
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Should you defer your state pension and stay in work?You could boost your state pension by hundreds or thousands of pounds by deferring it if you don’t need the income right now. We look at how it works, and the pros and cons
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HMRC stamp duty crackdown sees probes of property deals jump 88% – what to watch out forFrom bogus stamp duty refund claims to misleading the taxman about who owns a property, HMRC is increasing its scrutiny of stamp duty land tax reporting. Here’s how.
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‘Sandwich generation’ carers losing £6,000 a year to support elderly relativesMiddle-aged adults are often caught between caring for children or grandchildren and their elderly parents, leaving them taking time out of the workforce and facing a huge hit to wages while they are still trying to save for retirement. We look at the true cost of caring.
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Self-assessment taxpayers overpaid £8.9 billion last year – could you be owed money?Millions of taxpayers are paying too much income tax when they file their self-assessment returns, new figures show. Here’s how to avoid overpaying, and the ways to reclaim what you’re owed.
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‘I thought pensions were dull. Now I have a £1 million pot’Women are less likely to actively plan for their retirement (though men aren’t that engaged either), new research shows. MoneyWeek spoke to two savers at different ends of the financial and age spectrum about their money decisions – and where those choices lead.
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Redundancy on the rise – how to manage a sudden drop in incomeUnemployment and redundancies are higher than a year ago, new figures show. We look at how to protect your finances if you face a sudden loss of income.
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What is the ideal time to spend on the property market? How you could risk losing thousandsTime on the housing market matters – get an offer too quickly or too slowly and you’ll often find you have to settle for less than the asking price. What is the ideal time for a property to spend on the market?
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Six steps business owners should consider before April inheritance tax relief changeNew limits to inheritance tax-free allowances are coming in from the Spring that affect business owners. Those looking to sell or transfer their assets into a trust before the changes need to act now
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Taxpayers urged to fight automated HMRC penalties as 20,000 win on appealHMRC loses more than 60% of cases when taxpayers appeal an automated penalty it has imposed, new figures show.
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Should you fix your mortgage or opt for a variable rate?With the Bank of England potentially set to announce more interest rate cuts in 2026, homeowners may wonder if it’s best to opt for a fixed rate or variable rate mortgage.
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More than five million taxpayers overpay with wrong tax codes – how to check yours is rightHMRC overcharged taxpayers £3.5 billion in income tax the latest data shows, with tax coding errors largely to blame. Accountants say it is “essential” people check their tax codes to avoid being hit with higher bills.
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'Lockdown wills’ at increased risk of legal challengePressures caused by the pandemic led some people to rush their wills. Now, lawyers are saying problems are surfacing that could make them invalid
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What is a trust – and should you use it to avoid inheritance tax?Trusts are surging in popularity as a way to avoid inheritance tax, according to new government figures and financial advisers on the frontline of estate planning. We look at what trusts are and if they are right for you.
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Taxpayers told to check capital gains tax return or risk penalty after rate changesWith the self-assessment deadline just three weeks away, taxpayers who need to report capital gains should take extra care to avoid a penalty after recent changes, accountants have warned. Here’s how.
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Act now to avoid inheritance tax on your pension with this one simple changeA quick and easy paperwork change could avoid your children paying inheritance tax on your pension if you act now. Here’s how.
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Millions of parents are missing out on up to £720 a year in extra pension cash – are you affected?A mum who narrowly missed out on the pension boost said she “never knew the government rule existed” and wants other parents to use it
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How to secure a lasting legacy as you pass your moneyFor many, transferring wealth is more about values than money. We look at how to create a legacy that sticks.
