Beware scams pretending to be HMRC
Fraudsters are continuing to target taxpayers with scam emails as the deadline for submission of self-assessment returns for the 2024-25 tax year gets ever closer. In the 12 months to 31 July 2025, HMRC received more than 170,000 reports of suspicious contact from the public, of which more than
Budget date announced
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves has confirmed, in a video message, that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Details of all the Budget announcements will be made on a special section of the GOV.UK website which will be updated following completion of the
Using the 159 helpline
If a call from your bank feels suspicious, just hang up and dial 159 to be connected safely to your bank’s fraud team.
The 159 helpline was launched in September 2021. The helpline is designed to help consumers quickly and safely reconnect with their bank when they receive a suspicious or
What is Support for Mortgage Interest?
SMI loans can help pay mortgage interest for those on benefits, but repayment is due when the home is sold.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a government-backed loan provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to assist homeowners receiving certain benefits in covering the
Rules to protect effects of debanking
Banks must now give 90 days’ notice before closing accounts, giving customers more time to respond.
Since April 2026, new government rules strengthen protections for individuals and small businesses at risk of unfair bank account closures. Under the legislation, banks and payment service providers
Pre-Budget tax planning – act now
With the next UK Budget approaching, there is speculation about changes to tax rates, allowances, and reliefs. Acting now can help secure current benefits before any new rules take effect.
Key areas to review:
Personal allowances - make sure you are using your Personal Allowance, savings
Challenging your Council Tax band
If your property has changed or seems mis-banded, you may have the right to request a Council Tax review.
Properties in England and Wales are assigned Council Tax bands based on their value as of 1 April 1991 (England) or 1 April 2003 (Wales). If you believe your property is incorrectly banded, you
Bank Rate trimmed to 4%
The Bank of England has knocked the main interest rate down to 4% today, cutting it by a quarter‑point from 4.25%. It’s the fifth cut in a year and brings the rate to its lowest since March 2023.
The decision was a close call: the nine‑member Monetary Policy Committee split 5‑4, requiring an
Shared home ownership
Shared home ownership offers a more accessible route to owning a home for those who cannot afford the full deposit or mortgage on a property that suits their needs. Under this scheme, buyers purchase a share of a property, typically between 10% and 75% of its market value and pay rent on the
The impact of frozen personal allowances
The impact of frozen personal allowances often leads to fiscal drag, a situation where individuals pay more tax as their earnings rise without a corresponding increase in allowances.
This occurs because tax thresholds remain fixed while wages increase, thus pushing more people into higher tax
