Month: November 2025
Six Ways to Reduce Inheritance Tax Bills
Inheritance Tax (IHT) can significantly reduce the value of your estate. Between April and August 2025, HM Revenue & Customs collected £3.7 billion in IHT — £0.2 billion more than during the same period last year. Although the rules can appear complex, there are legitimate and effective ways to reduce the amount of tax your loved ones may have to pay after your death.
Autumn Budget Update: What the Autumn Budget Means for You
Despite Rachel Reeves’ second budget as Chancellor almost being fully revealed by a leak in the Office of Budget Responsibility before it had begun, she set out an economic plan focused on creating a ‘fairer, stronger and more secure UK’ although the general theme was higher taxes that will eventually lead to nearly 920,000 new higher rate tax payers by 2029/30. Speculative rumours in anticipation of the budget included changes to the tax-free pension amount, reducing pension tax relief, inheritance taxation and capital gains, but these were unfounded allowing many to breathe a sigh of relief.
Market Update: And the roller coaster rolls on
Another topsy-turvy week ends with more volatility and lower markets. Stocks were boosted midweek, after investor darling Nvidia reported even better than optimistically expected corporate earnings growth for the previous and current quarters – a rejoinder to the crescendo of ‘AI bubble’ chatter. Nvidia was not even the best of the Magnificent Seven; Alphabet (Google’s parent company) rose as Warren Buffett bought into the company.
Why Protection Matters: Building a Safety Net for Life’s Uncertainties
Most people prefer not to think about what might go wrong in life. But without the right protection in place, the financial impact of unexpected illness, injury, or death can be devastating for you and your loved ones. True peace of mind comes from knowing your family’s lifestyle, home, and future are safeguarded - whatever happens.
Market Update: History does not repeat, but it often rhymes
Stock markets rallied in the early part of last week, but sold off on Thursday and into Friday. At the time of writing, we are at or even below last Friday’s levels in most major markets. The lacklustre performance might seem a little strange considering the biggest news story of the week was an end to the longest ever US government shutdown, after President Trump signed a federal funding bill until the end of January.
Market Update: Bonfire but no rockets
After a pleasingly strong October, it was a tough first week of November in capital markets. Stocks sold off 2-3% virtually everywhere, and the biggest tech stocks were particularly vulnerable. Media commentary put this down to valuation vertigo – investors doubting whether future corporate earnings can live up to the promise of high price-to-earnings stock valuations. That is not quite how we see it, given there was no real new information about the shape of the global economy last week. The only change we observed was the steady deterioration of market liquidity. We keep saying it, but the drying up...
Cash Flow Modelling: Turning Financial Uncertainty into Clarity
Managing your finances can sometimes feel like navigating through fog - you know where you want to go, but the path ahead isn’t always clear. That’s where cash flow modelling comes in. At Vision Wealth, we use this powerful tool to help you visualise your financial future, make confident decisions, and bring your long-term goals into focus.
Market Update: Spend, Spend, Cut
Stock markets mostly continued their upward march last week, but the underlying picture is little changed from last Friday. Global growth and corporate profits look decent, geopolitics is not getting out of hand, but the pace of change and a tightening of liquidity also means a risky environment.