Homecroft Wealth

Mileage rates are rising after 15 years but are still behind inflation.

A small thaw in HMRC policy highlights a much bigger long-term freeze.

Read more here: https://homecroftwealth.co.uk/news/an-overdue-thaw-on-mileage-rates/

Shares of Google and Tesla plunged today as investors were spooked by the ever-increasing amounts of money being spent on AI

Google burning through cash with spiralling AI costs The company said earlier this year it expected to spend as much as $190bn on AI investments.

This is an interesting watch..

Stress testing the UK: As inflation eases, will we feel the benefits at home? Sky News new Economic Pressure Tracker is an interactive tool that combines more than 20 different measures to help us keep track of how we might be affected by global shocks to the economy.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to face immediate scrutiny over his first budget.

Will there be more talk of a wealth tax?

Big questions remain over how proposals would work. For now, planning around taxes that don’t yet exist may do more harm than good. Read more here: https://homecroftwealth.co.uk/news/wealth-tax-comes-around-again/

Triple lock latest…

The Resolution Foundation says the guarantee, which ensures the state pension rises each year by whichever is highest of inflation, wage growth or 2.5%, has become unaffordable and should be replaced with a less generous earnings-based formula.

Government urged to scrap triple lock by Labour-linked think tank The Resolution Foundation says the guarantee has become unaffordable

Only 1 in 10 will have a ‘comfortable’ retirement, say recent headlines. Not quite.

The reality behind the reports is more nuanced. Read more here: https://homecroftwealth.co.uk/news/a-comfortable-retirement-for-only-9-what-the-headlines-mean/

The government is pushing a head with proposals to bring the planned rise in the state pension age to 68 ahead by at least seven years, its official spending watchdog has claimed.

Talk to us about your retirement plans.

Millions to retire later under state pension age increase plans Around five millions workers could lose out under the plans, according to a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility

New rules mean pensions could face IHT from 2027, and executors may carry new responsibilities. If you’re writing your will, who you choose matters more than ever...

Read our latest blog for more: https://homecroftwealth.co.uk/news/writing-your-will-remember-to-choose-your-executors-with-care/

Our quarterly newsletter has just landed - that's your weekend reading sorted: https://homecroftwealth.co.uk/client-resources/summer-newsletter-2026/

Are you looking to sell or buy property as part of your financial planning?

The worst of the housing market slowdown in activity may be starting to pass, according to surveyors, but there are also signs of some sellers being more hesitant to come to market.

Worst of slowdown in housing market activity may be starting to pass – surveyors Housing market activity is likely to remain relatively subdued in the near term until there is further clarity, Rics said.