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The Bank of England base rate is currently 4.0%, having fallen from a peak of 5.25% over the past year1. While this downward trend has provided some relief to borrowers, the key question for homeowners and landlords is how low rates might go and when. Inflation is now 3.8%, down sharply from a peak of…

Fraudsters pretending to be the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have targeted thousands of people this year, with almost 5,000 fake FCA scams reported in the first half of 20251. The FCA has issued a stark warning after its consumer helpline received 4,465 reports of scammers posing as its staff in the first half of 2025.…

New figures have revealed that first-time buyers are now paying an eye-watering £163,047 on rent before they are able to purchase their first home. This represents a 40 per cent increase in a decade, according to research from specialist mortgage lender Perenna1. Back in 2015, renters typically spent £116,427 before buying. Today, they are parting…

When your mortgage deal comes to an end, most people focus on securing the best new rate. However, remortgaging is also the perfect time to step back and look at the bigger picture. It is not only about lowering your monthly repayments, it is also about ensuring that your financial safety net continues to protect…

Millions of self-assessment taxpayers are being urged to stay vigilant after HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) revealed it had received more than 170,000 scam referrals in the year to 31 July 20251. While this is a 12 per cent fall compared with the previous year, over 47,000 of the reports involved fake tax refund scams,…

With A-level results day now a distant memory, many young people are preparing to move away from home for the first time to begin their university journey. Alongside clothes and kitchen items, students will often pack laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras and even bicycles. These possessions can be extremely valuable, and without suitable insurance, a single…