Publications

BANK SIGNALS SLOWDOWN IN UK JOBS MARKET

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned that the UK jobs market is showing signs of slowing as employers  react to higher national insurance contributions (NICs).

Selling or passing on your business is one of the biggest financial events you will ever face. The decision to step away from a company you have built carries significant cash, tax and lifestyle consequences. With the right groundwork, you can structure the deal to meet your goals, move funds into vehicles that match your risk appetite and leave enough liquidity for life after work.

Inflation may have retreated from the double-digit heights of 2022, but at 3.4% on the CPI measure for May 2025 it still erodes the real value of every pound you hold. Put another way, if prices keep rising at the current pace, an item that costs £1,000 today will set you back about £1,034 this time next year. That silent loss affects personal savings, business reserves and long-term plans alike.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reversed last year’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments, confirming that pensioners in England and Wales with taxable incomes of £35,000 or less will again receive the benefit from this autumn.

Many parents and carers want to give children a solid financial base, yet feel unsure where to begin. The UK tax system offers several wrappers and allowances designed for minors, each with different rules on access, tax treatment and contribution levels.

The policy push for a net-zero economy is now hard-wired into the UK tax system, with many businesses investing in lowercarbon equipment, property upgrades and greener vehicles. The tax system offers a range of permanent and time-limited reliefs that can cut the headline cost of those projects by up to 25%. We have summarised the main opportunities below, together with the deadlines and practical steps we recommend you take during the rest of the 2025/26 tax year.

UK-INDIA TRADE DEAL CUTS TARIFFS
Britain and India have signed a long anticipated trade deal that is expected to boost the UK economy by £4.8bn a year by 2040.

Exports already account for around 30% of UK gross domestic product (GDP), and the government wants that share to rise further by helping more small firms sell overseas. In the 2024 Autumn Statement, ministers renewed the goal of lifting UK exports to £1 trillion a year by 2030. Although the headline target often makes the news, the real shift will come from the thousands of owner-managed businesses that decide to quote for an order in Dublin, Dubai, or Denver for the first time.

Diversification spreads risk across different assets, markets and tax wrappers. It helps private investors smooth returns instead of relying on a single share, fund or property. The principle is simple: assets rarely move in perfect sync, so setbacks in one area may be offset by steadier performance elsewhere. A balanced portfolio is therefore less exposed to shocks and better placed to meet long-term goals such as retirement income, school fees or a future house purchase.

A merger or acquisition can open new doors for growth, streamline operations, and enhance market presence. Businesses across the UK often consider combining forces to improve economies of scale, benefit from complementary expertise, or secure new technology. Although this form of restructuring can bring advantages, it also involves risks if it is not managed correctly. This guide outlines essential factors that business owners should consider when they plan or undertake a merger or acquisition in the current UK environment.

OVERVIEW OF THE NEW STATE PENSIONS

Under the new State Pension, you need at least ten “qualifying years” of National Insurance (NI) contributions to receive anything. You typically need 35 qualifying years to receive the full new State Pension. These are broad guidelines; some people who paid  or received NI credits under the old system may have special situations, so it’s worth checking your own NI record to confirm your status.

BANK OF ENGLAND EXPECTED TO CUT RATES IN MAY

The Bank of England (BoE) is now widely expected to cut interest rates in May, as escalating trade tensions sparked by Donald Trump’s tariff hikes weigh heavily on the global economic outlook.