Latest articles by Ruth Emery
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House price growth picks up pace with 2.8% annual rise
UK house prices have increased for six months in a row, according to official figures. But with mortgage rates starting to climb, and Labour’s first Budget fast approaching, could this dent buyers’ confidence?
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Labour Budget predictions: what could Rachel Reeves announce?
The UK’s first female chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will deliver the Labour government’s first Budget on 30 October. We look at what could be announced
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Nationwide completes Virgin Money takeover - what does it mean for customers?
Nationwide's acquisition of Virgin Money affects one in three people in the UK. What does it mean for branches and products?
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Frozen state pensions: thousands of expats receive just £3,000 a year
More than 450,000 pensioners who retire abroad have their state pension “frozen” when they leave the UK. Will Labour change the rules and end this “injustice”?
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11 reasons you need to register for self-assessment before 5 October
There are lots of reasons why you may need to register for self-assessment. But you’ll need to act fast to meet the 5 October deadline
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Autumn Budget: how to protect your wealth from Labour
Keir Starmer has warned that the Budget will be "painful". We look at what you can do now to shield your money from Labour
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Retirees lose out on £13,000 by not shopping around for best annuity deal
Pensioners are potentially missing out on thousands of pounds worth of income in retirement by failing to shop around. We explain how to get the best annuity deal
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State pension errors: HMRC contacts thousands of women over missing payments
News HMRC has sent out 325,000 letters so far. The average underpayment is £5,400 - could you be affected?
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How to set up a pension if you're self-employed
Features Three-quarters of self-employed workers are not paying into a pension, meaning millions of people could be woefully unprepared for retirement. We explain the different pension options and reveal the best providers
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Will Labour raise the state pension age?
A government in need of cutting expenditure could be tempted to hike the state pension age. We look at whether it could rise higher and faster than currently planned
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Make higher earners pay more into their pensions, says IFS
The think tank warns that up to 40% of employees are not saving enough for retirement - and says middle and higher earners should contribute more to their pensions
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Major lenders reduce time window to lock in new mortgage deal - are you affected?
Mortgage customers now have less time to select a new mortgage rate when their current deal expires. We have all the details
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RICS: Buyer demand and sales surge - but how could the Budget affect the housing market?
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors reports a positive shift in the UK property market, but adds that next month’s Budget is “keeping the mood in check”
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Retiring abroad: What to consider, from tax to pensions
The high cost of living makes many people consider retiring abroad. We look at what you need to consider, including tax and pensions.
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NS&I cuts interest rates on British Savings Bonds
NS&I has reduced the rates on its two-year, three-year and five-year fixed-term savings accounts. Could a cut to the Premium Bond prize rate be next?
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State pension will rise by £460 in April wage data suggests
Triple lock will result in an above average rise in pension payments next year after wages increased by 4%
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Why raising capital gains tax could reduce revenue for the government
A hike in CGT is predicted in next month’s Budget, but such a move could lower the amount of tax raked in by the government. We look at why this could happen
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Will Labour introduce a retirement tax?
Rishi Sunak said a Labour government would subject the state pension "to a retirement tax”. Is this claim true? And what else could Labour do to pensions?
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Parents face 5% premium on properties near top primary schools
Figures show that parents are paying an extra £21,215 to buy a home in their preferred catchment area - and the private school fees hike could increase the premium further
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Credit card providers slash 0% balance transfer deals
Customers face a double whammy of record-high APRs and shorter 0% balance transfer periods. We look at what’s going on in the credit card market
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UK holidaymakers will have to pay €7 to visit the EU next summer - how will the EU visa waiver scheme work?
The EU is planning to introduce a visa waiver for some non-EU citizens. We look at how the scheme will work, how to apply, and if anyone is exempt
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The best-performing stocks and shares ISAs over 25 years
We reveal the best-performing stocks and shares ISAs from the past 25 years, and how much those funds and investment trusts would be worth now
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Inheritance tax receipts rise again as rumours persist about Budget changes
Inheritance tax raised £2.8 billion during April to July 2024, which is £0.2 billion higher than the same period last year. Will the chancellor target the tax in her Budget?
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Junior ISA wealth boom: number of kids with more than £100,000 trebles in a year
There are almost 2,000 junior ISAs worth more than £100,000, with some lucky children boasting nest eggs of more than £750,000. We look at how to turbo-charge your child’s savings
