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“Insure” your child's education with financial protection

Investing in your child's education is a top priority for many parents, but life's unpredictability such as unexpected illness or injury could make it challenging to keep up with financial commitments such as school fees. That's where financial protection such as income protection and critical illness come in - offering a safety net to keep your child's education on track, even if you become too ill to earn an income.

Why financial protection matters

• Financial security amids...

For first-time buyers in 2025, the property market is in stark contrast to when previous generations bought their first homes.

The average first-time buyer in 1960 paid a deposit of just £595 (roughly £12,738 today) compared to an average of £53,424 in 2024.

A recent report by Skipton found that just one in eight potential first-time buyers can buy a home in their local area, and of this same group, 80% have insufficient deposit savings to get onto the property ladder where they live.

What are the barriers to homeownership?

As house pr...

Any first-time buyer trying to save up for a deposit to purchase their first home may feel daunted by how expensive the housing market is.

There is no doubt that it is much more difficult to get your foot onto the property ladder than ever before. In 2023, House Buyer Bureau reported that house prices today are 8.8 times people’s average earnings, which - it says - has more than doubled since the 1970s.

And in its Home Affordability report, Skipton Building Society found that of the top 25% of earners, just 44% of first-time buyer househ...

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to overlook the importance of protecting our financial security both for now and in the future.

We work hard to build a comfortable life for ourselves and our loved ones, but what happens if the unexpected happens and we become too ill to work. How can we ensure that our security today and our financial legacy remains intact for the next generation?

One of the most effective ways to protect our wealth is by incorporating income protection and critical illness cover into our financial plan...

Applying for your first mortgage is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. Lenders assess numerous factors to determine your eligibility, and some seemingly minor financial decisions can significantly impact your application. To help you secure approval, here are six key areas to focus on before applying for your first mortgage.

• Changes to outgoings

Lenders consider your affordability based on your income and regular outgoings. Making significant financial commitments or increasing expenses before your application ...

We all like to think we’ve got life under control. A stable job, a roof over our head, savings for the future — or at least a plan to get there.

But then something happens. A job loss. A health diagnosis. A bereavement. A family change. A decision you didn’t expect to make.

These “bumps in the road” can throw your thinking off course. And when they do, your finances often become harder to manage because everything suddenly feels more complicated, more urgent, or more uncertain.

That’s where financial advice can make all the difference.

Buying a house can certainly be a daunting experience, especially when it’s your first time doing so. What doesn’t help is the wealth of jargon and terminology used during the mortgage process and throughout the entire journey to buy your new home.

If you’re looking to join the property ladder and want to gain the inside scoop on some of the phrases, terminology and jargon you will expect to see, here is a handy guide.

Agreement in Principle (AIP)

Also known as a Decision in Principle (DIP), this is a statement from a lender to say they...

We’re living in unpredictable times; from rising living costs and market fluctuations to fast-moving changes in jobs, tech, and even family structures. For many people, the old financial playbook no longer applies.

In these moments, advice isn’t about chasing the lowest cost — it’s about making the right choices for you. Ones that reflect your values, your needs, and the realities you’re living with right now.

Whether you’re dealing with a sudden loss of income, stepping into a caring role, or struggling to keep up with digital change...

According to a recent report from Skipton Building Society, the first step onto the property ladder is the hardest.

There’s no question that it can all seem very daunting for first-time buyers who want to purchase their first home. For those saving hard to get a deposit together, it is important to note that this is just one outlying cost of moving house.

One of the biggest additional costs to factor into a house move is stamp duty. Stamp duty is a tax paid by the buyer of a residential property.

The eagle-eyed among you may have spotte...