Three-quaters of Brits consider a Staycation

More and more Brits are shunning the blazing hot sun of southern Europe in favor of holidaying in the UK.
More and more Brits are shunning the blazing hot sun of southern Europe in favor of holidaying in the UK.
This week has seen some major attempts by the government to raise funds to pay off some of the nation’s debt. The sale of half of the government’s share in Royal Mail for £750m has been largely accepted, but the sale of the government’s 80% stake in the maligned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has been criticised for making a significant loss. Read More »
According to official figures, the UK property market is booming. Following a slow period during the recession, it’s now estimated that, in London, prices are up around 27% from their 2007 peak. Read More »
April 2015 saw radical new pension reforms, opening up new possibilities for savers over the age of 55. Although savers were always permitted to take an initial tax-free 25% out of their pension pot, now, for the first time, pensioners can take their pension in its entirety in one lump sum. They may also choose to take a series of smaller lump sums. However, any withdrawal over 25% will be subject to tax. Though this may seem like a revolution in finances, many pension experts have said these reforms were inevitable, noting that they were already manifest in the previous system under the banner of ‘phased retirement’ or ‘vesting’.
Recent figures show that consumers are switching to contactless payments in their millions. In 2014, contactless spending increased by 108% in volume and around 115% in value. Read More »