AUTHOR

David Prosser author headshot

David Prosser

David Prosser is a regular Money Week columnist, writing on small business and entrepreneurship, as well as pensions and other forms of tax-efficient savings and investments.

David has been a financial journalist for almost 30 years, specialising initially in personal finance, and then in broader business coverage. He has worked for national newspaper groups including The Financial Times, The Guardian and Observer, Express Newspapers and, most recently, The Independent, where he served for more than three years as business editor. He has won a number of awards, including the Harold Wincott Personal Finance Journalist of the Year, the Headline Money Journalist of the Year and the BIBA Journalist of the Year. He has also been a frequent contributor to broadcast news, providing expert advice and punditry on radio and television.

For the past ten years, David has worked as a freelance journalist, writing for a broad range of newspapers, magazines and online publications. He also writes a regular column for Forbes, and is a frequent contributor to both specialist and consumer publications.

Equity release v downsizing – which is best?
Personal finance

Equity release v downsizing – which is best?

Equity release hit a record high in 2022. But is downsizing a better way to hold on to your money?
27 Jan 2023
Pension contributions: what you need to declare on your tax return
Personal finance

Pension contributions: what you need to declare on your tax return

Make sure you don't forget to declare your pension contributions in your tax return
12 Jan 2023
Isas vs private pensions – which is better for retirement?
Isas

Isas vs private pensions – which is better for retirement?

Isas are becoming a popular option for retirement, but private pensions still have certain advantages.
7 Dec 2022
Should you take a 25% tax-free pension lump sum in instalments?
Pensions

Should you take a 25% tax-free pension lump sum in instalments?

Taking out a 25% tax-free lump sum sounds appealing but it might not be the best way to manage your pension
30 Sep 2022
Six mistakes to avoid when starting a business
Small business

Six mistakes to avoid when starting a business

Around 60% of new businesses fail within three years, says David Prosser. Here, he outlines six key pitfalls to avoid when starting a business.
21 Sep 2022
Energy bill help for small businesses
Small business

Energy bill help for small businesses

It's not just households struggling with soaring energy bills. Small business are too. But, says David Prosser, there are several ways to help mitigat…
7 Sep 2022
How inflation will hit your pension savings
Pensions

How inflation will hit your pension savings

Many pension schemes that offer protection from price rises aren’t as good as they seem, says David Prosser.
5 Sep 2022
How your business can help its staff through the cost-of-living crisis
Small business

How your business can help its staff through the cost-of-living crisis

There are several ways companies can alleviate the cost-of-living crisis for their employees, says David Prosser. Here are a few to consider.
25 Aug 2022
Why switching your business account can get you a better deal
Small business

Why switching your business account can get you a better deal

Two-thirds of firms have not switched business accounts in the last six years but shopping around for a better deal could pay off now that there is mo…
11 Aug 2022
Should you buy an annuity as rates start to rise?
Pensions

Should you buy an annuity as rates start to rise?

Pensioners who want to use their retirement savings to buy an annuity for a guaranteed yearly income can now earn more as interest rates rise.
3 Aug 2022
Will the Recovery Loan Scheme rescue struggling small businesses?
Small business

Will the Recovery Loan Scheme rescue struggling small businesses?

The government is going ahead with a two-year expansion of the Recovery Loan Scheme, which it hopes will help firms still getting back on their feet a…
28 Jul 2022
How to protect your pension pot from market turmoil
Pensions

How to protect your pension pot from market turmoil

The traditional way to protect your pension fund from market risk is to begin shifting your savings out of equities well ahead of retirement. But th…
26 Jul 2022
How to avoid a wage spiral in your business
Small business

How to avoid a wage spiral in your business

Demands for higher pay are spreading. How should small business owners react?
20 Jul 2022
How venture capital trusts can provide income and growth for pension savers
Venture capital trusts (VCTs)

How venture capital trusts can provide income and growth for pension savers

Venture-capital trusts provide both capital gains and juicy dividends, which makes them the investment vehicle of choice for many pension savers. But …
12 Jul 2022
Beware of scams on your business’s Facebook account
Small business

Beware of scams on your business’s Facebook account

Fraudsters could hack into your business’s Facebook account and use your money to advertise their products online.
6 Jul 2022
How invoice financing can help your business
Small business

How invoice financing can help your business

Invoice finance could help your business cope with late payments, says David Prosser.
20 Jun 2022
High inflation means the end of the “4% rule” for retirees
Pensions

High inflation means the end of the “4% rule” for retirees

High inflation means that it’s time to reassess how much you withdraw from your pension each year if you don't want to run out of money .
14 Jun 2022
How to prevent your businesses becoming embroiled in a trademark dispute
Small business

How to prevent your businesses becoming embroiled in a trademark dispute

Thorough research could save you the headache of a trademark dispute, says David Prosser.
5 Jun 2022
Transferring out of your final salary pension could cost you dear
Pensions

Transferring out of your final salary pension could cost you dear

Thinking about transferring out of a final salary pension? It could cost you a lot more than you might think, says David Prosser.
30 May 2022
Flexible working: don't rush your staff back the office
Small business

Flexible working: don't rush your staff back the office

The government is urging people to get back to the office. But there are good reasons for many small businesses to embrace flexible working.
25 May 2022
Private pensions: act early to avoid a big inheritance tax bill
Pensions

Private pensions: act early to avoid a big inheritance tax bill

Frozen inheritance-tax thresholds mean HMRC is taking ever more in death duties. But there are steps you can take to avoid it, says David Prosser.
18 May 2022
How to find an angel investor for your business
Small business

How to find an angel investor for your business

Make sure your start-up business has the right type of backer before signing a deal, says David Prosser.
11 May 2022
AJ Bell's new app aims to make investing a Dodl
Investments

AJ Bell's new app aims to make investing a Dodl

Dodl, AJ Bell’s new app-based investment service, is cheap – although a wider range of investments would be welcome, says David Prosser.
2 May 2022
Shortage of Sharia-compliant pensions lets down savers
Pensions

Shortage of Sharia-compliant pensions lets down savers

A lack of Sharia-compliant pensions is leaving many people unable to save for retirement.
27 Apr 2022
Small business owners: don’t duck the need to raise prices
Small business

Small business owners: don’t duck the need to raise prices

Many small businesses worry about passing on costs, but soaring inflation makes it a matter of survival, says David Prosser.
26 Apr 2022
The risks of using equity to release to cash in on your home
Pensions

The risks of using equity to release to cash in on your home

Equity release is getting more popular. But think carefully before joining in, says David Prosser.
13 Apr 2022
Why hackers are increasingly targeting small businesses – and what you can do about it
Small business

Why hackers are increasingly targeting small businesses – and what you can do about it

Almost half of small businesses were targeted by hackers last year. David Prosser explains what is behind the cyber attacks.
10 Apr 2022
How salary sacrifice can help mitigate against National Insurance rise
Pensions

How salary sacrifice can help mitigate against National Insurance rise

National Insurance is rising on 6 April but the good news is that salary sacrifice schemes are a good way to decrease taxable income, says David Pross…
2 Apr 2022
Should you use debt or equity to grow your business?
Small business

Should you use debt or equity to grow your business?

Loans and equity financing come with different terms and conditions, says David Prosser.
25 Mar 2022
Here’s what the Spring Statement means for your money
Budget

Here’s what the Spring Statement means for your money

David Prosser looks into the details of Rishi Sunak's "jam tomorrow" Spring Statement and explains just what it means for you and your money.
23 Mar 2022
Top up your pension before the end of the tax year
Pensions

Top up your pension before the end of the tax year

David Prosser explains how to make sure you’ve made the best use of your pension contribution allowance before 5 April
22 Mar 2022
Fixing the gender gap in start-up businesses
Small business

Fixing the gender gap in start-up businesses

New initiatives aim to remove barriers for female entrepreneurs. David Prosser reports.
16 Mar 2022
An unwelcome merger deal for the Honeycomb Investment Trust
Investment trusts

An unwelcome merger deal for the Honeycomb Investment Trust

A deal to buy its own manager makes this high-yielding debt fund less appealing, says David Stevenson
14 Mar 2022
A new low-cost Sipp from Interactive Investor
Self invested personal pensions

A new low-cost Sipp from Interactive Investor

Savers with accounts of all sizes could benefit from lower fixed fees in this new low-cost Sipp from Interactive Investor.
8 Mar 2022
The best ways to hire staff in these uncertain times
Small business

The best ways to hire staff in these uncertain times

Taking on permanent staff for your business comes with risks, but there are alternatives says David Prosser.
28 Feb 2022
How to maximise your pension contributions
Pensions

How to maximise your pension contributions

Rolling forward your annual pension contribution allowances from past years can let you contribute more. David Prosser explains how.
23 Feb 2022