Shackleton - Britain's financial adviser

Shackleton is pleased to announce the acquisition of Putney, London-based financial advice firm Parallel Financial Limited (“Parallel”), further strengthening its presence in London as part of its ongoing nationwide expansion.

The acquisition significantly bolsters Shackleton’s specialist capabilities in advising on financial planning matters for clients in the creative, media, art, film, TV and technology sectors, in which Parallel offers particular expertise and experience.

👉 Click here to read the full press release: https://shackletonadvisers.co.uk/shackleton-acquires-parallel-financial-limited/

A common piece of basic financial advice is that you should have enough of a cash reserve to cover at least three months’ (and ideally up to six) of your essential regular outgoings. That means expenses like your mortgage or rent, food, council tax and utility bills: it does not include the nice-to-haves. Nevertheless, the sum involved can easily run to five figures, especially if you are aiming for the half-year yardstick.

👉 Find out more about easy access accounts and cash ISAs here: https://shackletonadvisers.co.uk/where-is-your-emergency-cash

The government has announced a 6% interest rate cap on some student loans - but it is not all it seems.

Following Easter, the Department for Education (DfE) said the cap on Plan 2 and Plan 3 loans would “protect borrowers”. However, the measure is only temporary and many graduates may still face higher repayments than expected.

👉 Find out more in our latest article: https://shackletonadvisers.co.uk/student-loans-are-they-of-little-interest/

It's great to see Shackleton adviser Robyn Lovatt quoted on the front page of today's Daily Telegraph.

As reported in Alex Marsh and Emma Munbodh's detailed investigation, some people have been wrongly billed thousands of pounds through incorrect tax codes, after policy changes led to some taxpayers finding unexpected adjustments to their PAYE tax codes - often linked to estimated savings interest figures.

Robyn said:

“We are increasingly seeing savings interest estimates fed directly into taxpayers’ PAYE codes, often without any clear breakdown of how the figures have been calculated.”

This is a timely reminder to check your tax code carefully, as small errors can lead to costly overpayments. If you have any questions about whether you may be impacted by these errors, or any other financial planning query, please contact your financial adviser.

👉 Click here to read the full article (subscription required): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/income/savers-forced-to-overpay-thousands-in-tax-after-hmrc-errors/

Stock markets rebounded strongly in April as fears of a prolonged conflict eased. Gains were led by the global technology sector, where expectations for company earnings growth continue to improve. Several regional indices ended the month at or near all-time highs. In contrast, the UK and European stock markets lagged, reflecting their greater sensitivity to higher energy prices.

👉 Click here for the full investment update: https://shackletonadvisers.co.uk/april-investment-update/

Please remember that past performance is not a guide to future returns and the value of capital invested and any income generated may fluctuate.

Last week saw the retirement of Shackleton colleague Jeremy Gray, bringing to a close an extraordinary 40-year career in financial services. Jeremy was hugely liked, respected and trusted by clients and colleagues alike, and he will be a much-missed figure in our Norfolk offices.

It was great to give him a proper send-off last week - including a well-deserved round of applause from the team. Jeremy, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and the relationships you’ve built over the years. We wish you a long, happy, and fulfilling retirement!