News in Review September 2025
Market update
- Budget date confirmed: the Budget will take place on Wednesday 26 November. We’ll email you a summary of the key changes after the announcement
- UK pressures intensify: the interest rate or ‘yield’ on 30-year government bonds has climbed to the highest levels since 1998, increasing the cost of borrowing for the government
- UK inflation rate stays at 3.8%: notably food prices have risen to 5.1% from 4.9%, the fifth month in a row the rate has risen
- Bank Rate remains at 4%: there is more doubt about when interest rates will be cut and how quickly
Fake FCA scams warning – advice on how to avoid
- Fraudsters claiming that the FCA has recovered funds from a crypto wallet that was opened illegally in the individual's name.
- Targeting loan scam victims, who are often very vulnerable. Fraudsters claim the FCA can help them recover the money they’ve lost. They are then persuaded to hand over further funds.
- Consumers are emailed that their creditors have taken out a County Court Judgement against them and they need to pay the FCA the monies owed.
- ‘Pig butchering’ – where scammers ‘fatten up’ victims by building a connection, often a romantic one, and then carry out a long-term investment scam. After the victim has lost money, scammers attempt to defraud victims a second time by pretending to be the FCA under the guise of helping to ‘recover’ the money.
- Be alert if someone contacts you unprompted, whether by phone, text, email or WhatsApp
- Never hand over sensitive personal information, like PINs and passwords
- If you're unsure, ask the FCA using their online contact form
Pay your pension some attention
- Do you know where all your pension savings are? There are billions of pounds out there in lost pension money... could some of that be yours?
- Do you know how much you currently have in your pension?
- What are your dreams for the future? Do you know what income you may need in retirement?
Life insurance and trusts
Life insurance is more than just a safety net for you, it can help ensure your family’s financial stability in the future. Have you considered writing your life insurance policy in trust? This could help to pass on wealth efficiently and quickly to the people you want to benefit. Get in touch and take a step towards safeguarding your family's future, or refer a friend who may benefit.
If you have any questions about this email, or anything else, please get in touch – I'm here to help. And if you know someone who may be interested in receiving financial advice, please feel free to recommend me to them.