The Pros and Cons of Mortgage Holidays

The government mortgage holiday scheme is coming to an end, but your mortgage lender might still offer you a payment break if you need it The end of July sees the final closure of the government’s mortgage holiday scheme, which was introduced last March as the first national lock down and furlough started to take [...]

What You Need to Know About Stamp Duty in 2021

Stamp duty is a tax that is much-hated by many a homebuyer. Just as you’re handing over thousands of pounds in deposits, mortgage charges and solicitor fees, you’re hit with a levy on the price of the property you’re buying. And in recent years, Stamp Duty has got even more confusing, with a number of […]

Two-thirds of advisers resume face to face meetings

Many advisers are resuming face to face meetings with clients following the lifting of all Covid restrictions, research commissioned by insurer Zurich finds. The research shows that more than two-thirds (68%) of advisers have restarted face to face meetings with clients and around 66% have returned to working with colleagues in the office. Nearly a […]

FCA must urgently clarify Consumer Duty for firms

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must urgently clarify expectations around its new Consumer Duty so firms are not caught out, PIMFA warns. The adviser trade body wants firms to be assessed for their ability to discharge their obligations under the duty. In May the regulator announced plans for a new Consumer Duty that aims to provide a higher level [...]

Mortgage Affordability in a Post-COVID World

Back in March, the Bank of England slashed interest rates to an all-time low of 0.1%, in a bid to alleviate the severe economic pressure caused by coronavirus. As the base rate cut fed through to mortgage rates and with the continuing pressure of a closed mortgage market, lenders responded by withdrawing mortgage offers, increasing [...]