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Chancellor revives ISA allowance reforms


By Michael Griffiths

The Chancellor is looking to use her Budget in November to revive plans for an ISA overhaul, according to a report by The Financial Times.

Rachel Reeves is believed to be considering a cut to the tax-free cash ISA allowance, which could be halved from £20,000 to £10,000, as part of an effort to divert cash savings into the UK’s stock market


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Titan Wealth agrees acquisition of Blacktower Group

Titan Wealth has reached an agreement to acquire Blacktower Group for an undisclosed sum, adding £2.2bn to the firm’s assets under management (AUM)

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SIPP withdrawal requests jump 33% ahead of Autumn Budget

Fears around additional pension reforms in the upcoming Autumn Budget have led to a 33% increase in SIPP withdrawal requests from Bestinvest’s do-it-yourself investors in September

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Savers increasing allocations to fixed accounts, research shows

Over two in five (44%) of savers with fixed rate accounts have already increased their savings into additional fixed accounts in anticipation of future Bank of England (BoE) base rate cuts, new analysis by Investec Save has shown

Average mortgage rates creep up for first time in eight months

Average fixed mortgage rates in the UK on both two and five-year terms have registered a rise in October for the first time in eight months

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Vida Group’s profit increases 463% in H1

Vida Group has recorded a 463% year-on-year increase in its profit before tax to £10.7m in the six months to 30 June
Air warns older borrowers could be in for mortgage shock

Air has warned that a potential pause in Bank of England (BoE) base rate cuts would compound the risk of mortgage shocks for older borrowers and the need for advisers to consider all options

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44% of first-time buyers looking at new builds, study finds

Over two in five (44%) aspiring homeowners are actively considering new builds, new research by Skipton Building Society has shown

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One in five people giving away money to beat IHT, study finds

Twenty-three per cent of people are aiming to give money away as part of an effort to manage their inheritance tax (IHT) bills, new research by Hargreaves Lansdown has indicated

Advisers report surge in IHT enquiries ahead of Budget

Advisers are experiencing a surge in enquiries about inheritance tax (IHT) ahead of the Budget, according to investment manager Downing, as demand for support on estate planning continues to expand

Wealthy individuals rethink estate planning amid IHT Budget speculation

Wealthy individuals are increasingly seeking advice on inheritance tax (IHT) and estate planning amid speculation around tax changes ahead of the Autumn Budget

Govt’s IHT reforms ‘unworkable’ – PIMFA

The Government’s draft inheritance tax (IHT) reforms have been labelled “unworkable” by trade association, PIMFA. The body representing financial advisers and wealth managers across the UK has warned that the plans also risk creating serious problems for bereaved families

Ponzi scheme creator sentenced to over seven years in prison

The creator of a £1.3m Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, following a prosecution by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Regulators urged to improve policy communications to advice sector

Trade body PIMFA has called on policymakers to provide greater “clarity, consistency and proportionality” in their communications to the financial advice sector. The group suggested that while the sector recognises the importance of proportionate regulation, the volume of reforms and lack of clarity in communications are having a significant impact on day-to-day operations

Air publishes suitability report for later life lending advice

Air has launched a new suitability report ahead of any potential regulatory change as a result of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Future of the Mortgage Market Discussion Paper

IG secures FCA crypto license

IG has been granted its cryptoasset license by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allowing the firm to expand its crypto offering for customers

Chancellor revives ISA allowance reforms

The Chancellor is looking to use her Budget in November to revive plans for an ISA overhaul, according to a report by The Financial Times. Rachel Reeves is believed to be considering a cut to the tax-free cash ISA allowance, which could be halved from £20,000 to £10,000, as part of an effort to divert cash savings into the UK’s stock market

Vida Group’s profit increases 463% in H1

Vida Group has recorded a 463% year-on-year increase in its profit before tax to £10.7m in the six months to 30 June

Savers increasing allocations to fixed accounts, research shows

Over two in five (44%) of savers with fixed rate accounts have already increased their savings into additional fixed accounts in anticipation of future Bank of England (BoE) base rate cuts, new analysis by Investec Save has shown

IFA enquiries surging in build-up to Budget

Independent financial advisers (IFAs) have reported a surge in enquiries with 68% suggesting that clients wanting to make changes ahead of the Budget is their biggest challenge, new research from Rathbones has shown

SIPP withdrawal requests jump 33% ahead of Autumn Budget

Fears around additional pension reforms in the upcoming Autumn Budget have led to a 33% increase in SIPP withdrawal requests from Bestinvest’s do-it-yourself investors in September

Ferno Limited Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme secures £4m buy-in with L&G

The trustees of the Ferno (UK) Limited Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme have secured a full scheme buy-in worth approximately £4m with Legal & General (L&G), covering the benefits of around 100 members

Clients increasingly accessing tax-free pension cash to gift to younger generations

Clients are increasingly accessing their tax-free pension allowance to gift to younger generations amid inheritance tax (IHT) changes and Budget speculation, according to Forvis Mazars

Standard Life completes £52m buy-in with Amtico Company Pension Scheme

The Amtico Company Pension Scheme has completed a £52m full buy-in with Standard Life, securing the benefits of 425 members

Titan Wealth agrees acquisition of Blacktower Group

Titan Wealth has reached an agreement to acquire Blacktower Group for an undisclosed sum, adding £2.2bn to the firm’s assets under management (AUM)

Finli Group announces four further acquisitions

Financial planning business Finli Group has announced the acquisition of a further four firms, bringing its total number of acquisitions so far this year to 18

Hargreaves Lansdown hits record AUA in FY25

Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) has reached its record assets under administration (AUA) in the year to 30 June, which increased by 11% to £172.7bn

JPMorgan to launch Personal Investing brand in place of Nutmeg

JPMorgan has announced plans to replace the Nutmeg brand and offer its services on a new wealth management and investment business JPMorgan Personal Investing

AJ Bell integrates with Dynamic Planner

AJ Bell has announced the successful integration of digital advice software platform, Dynamic Planner

Step One Finance partners with Phoebus Software

Step One Finance has selected Phoebus Software as its mortgage servicing partner to support future lending growth

Fintel launches standalone distribution platform

Fintel has announced the launch of a new distribution platform, Omnicore, which is designed to provide a conduit between providers and advisers

The Flower Group launches data tool to support financial planning firms’ growth

The Flower Group has announced the launch of an all-in-one data analysis tool that aims to support the commercial growth of financial planning businesses

SmartSearch integrates with Clio to enhance legal professionals’ AML compliance

SmartSearch has launched a strategic integration with legal AI technology provider, Clio

News in brief - 15 October 2025

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring Hampshire Trust Bank, Roma Finance and United Trust Bank

Mortgage Intelligence adds Market Financial Solutions to lender panel

Market Financial Solutions has been added to Mortgage Intelligence’s panel of lenders

News in brief – 14 October 2025

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring Norton Home Loans, Access FS, and Hodge

Lending with a difference: A conversation with Family Building Society’s Nathan Waller

With demand growing for more flexible mortgage solutions, Family Building Society is carving out a strong reputation in later life, family-assisted, and buy to let lending. We speak to Nathan Waller, Business Development Manager at Family Building Society, to discuss how they’re supporting brokers, addressing complex borrower needs, and adapting to an evolving market.

BLOG: Expand the holistic solutions you can offer with Royal London Equity Release

Royal London Equity Release discusses the importance of holistic support for clients when it comes to later life lending

BLOG: The younger generation have spotted an alternative route into the housing market – and we should embrace it

Head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, Tony Hall, discusses how the younger generation can find their way onto the housing ladder

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The latest MoneyAge blog explores eConveyancer+, a new standard in conveyancing designed to support brokers in delivering exceptional service with complete confidence

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