The Help to Buy equity loan scheme got extended in the Autumn Budget, but who can access it has been reduced and it remains controversial. Enthusiasts say it is a big help to those looking to get on the housing...

Pension funds may soon have greater freedom to invest in entrepreneurial British businesses. That was one outcome of the recent Budget as Chancellor Philip Hammond sought to boost small start-up companies. However investors need to be cautious because the so-called...

When stock markets lose their glitter, as has been the case in recent weeks, gold is often the beneficiary. So what is going on? The rhetoric from many share watchers has been along the lines of bull markets do not...

Thinking of deferring the State Pension? Time to carefully calculate whether you are likely to be better off or not. And, as part of that process, you need to confront you own mortality – how long do you think you...

Interest in buy-to-let and second homes is fading fast as taxes bite, the evidence suggests. The Government clearly targeted this area to make it easier for first time buyers competing with landlords to snap up homes at the bottom of...

Everyone knows that social care for the elderly is in crisis but it seems no-one can come up with a better system, one which will command sufficient support. Lots of ideas but so far no consensus. Currently you have to...

Just a year ago I wrote an article on Ethical Investing and I concluded that it was “not exactly the Age of Ethical Investment, but the trend is definitely there”. Things have moved on to such an extent that I...

Many more of us need to take out a lasting power of attorney (LPA) or risk leaving ourselves vulnerable in old age. A report last month from Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) in conjunction with think tank Centre for Future...