https://www.theguardian.com/money/moneyinvestments Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:08:56 GMT 2026-06-12T01:08:56Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/06/spacex-ipo-buy-shares-elon-musk-stock-market-launch-risks <p>Elon Musk firm plans the biggest stock market launch in history – but experts have flagged potential downsides</p><p>It’s being billed as the biggest stock market launch in history. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/03/spacex-ipo-stock-musk">Shares in Elon Musk’s SpaceX</a> are poised to be released on 12 June with a valuation of $135 (£100.84). The company plans to sell 555.6m of them, which means it will raise $75bn from the sale.</p><p>On Friday, it was reported that <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/3cf5aed7-1a57-44ad-b9bc-11c779a5d2de?syn-25a6b1a6=1">up to a quarter of the shares could be reserved for individual investors</a>, rather than funds and banks. This is a bigger share than is typically the case in a large initial public offering (IPO).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/06/spacex-ipo-buy-shares-elon-musk-stock-market-launch-risks">Continue reading...</a> SpaceX Science Elon Musk Technology Shares Investments Money UK news US news World news IPOs Stock markets Business Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:00:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/06/spacex-ipo-buy-shares-elon-musk-stock-market-launch-risks Photograph: John Raoux/AP Photograph: John Raoux/AP Photograph: John Raoux/AP Hilary Osborne 2026-06-06T13:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/how-to-invest-50-a-month-tips-different-life-stages <p>Experts explain how small, regular sums can build wealth over time, from your 20s through to retirement</p><p>Thinking about investing? There are compelling reasons for moving at least some of your money away from standard savings accounts and into the stock market. There are also risks, but over the long term the rewards can be better.</p><p>Many people are put off by the idea that you need to be wealthy to start investing, or over a certain age. But even if you can only afford to set aside £50 a month, it is worth considering. And while there are important factors to consider before you start, it is rarely too early, or too late, to take the first step.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/how-to-invest-50-a-month-tips-different-life-stages">Continue reading...</a> Investments Money Savings Banks and building societies UK news Cash Isas Isas Bonds Pensions Retirement planning Junior Isas Shares Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:00:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/03/how-to-invest-50-a-month-tips-different-life-stages Photograph: GrandeDuc/Alamy Photograph: GrandeDuc/Alamy Photograph: GrandeDuc/Alamy Lisa-Marie Voneshen 2026-06-03T06:00:45Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/02/new-free-financial-advice-plan-aims-to-help-britons-build-savings <p>‘Targeted support’ means certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensions</p><p>Many Britons are daunted by the world of investing, but new City rules mean certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensions.</p><p>Last month marked the launch of “targeted support”, a new regulated service that permits companies to suggest investments and pension products to customers&nbsp;that might provide a better return.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/02/new-free-financial-advice-plan-aims-to-help-britons-build-savings">Continue reading...</a> Investments Savings Pensions Money Consumer affairs Investment funds UK news Investing Investment Isas Financial Conduct Authority Business Banks and building societies Isas Financial sector Regulators Apps Sat, 02 May 2026 07:00:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/02/new-free-financial-advice-plan-aims-to-help-britons-build-savings Photograph: James Speakman/PA Photograph: James Speakman/PA Photograph: James Speakman/PA Rupert Jones 2026-05-02T07:00:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business <p>The campaign is part of government initiative to boost financial risk taking, amid fears UK growth is being stymied</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/apr/23/yes-retail-investment-needs-a-boost-but-savvy-squirrel-looks-too-tame">Nils Pratley: the ‘Savvy Squirrel looks a bit too tame’</a></p></li></ul><p></p><p>City firms are pinning their hopes on a government-endorsed advertising blitz fronted by a finance “savvy” CGI squirrel to encourage cautious British savers to shift out of cash and start investing.</p><p>The long-awaited retail investment campaign, which will cost up to £50m, is part of the chancellor Rachel Reeves’ nationwide push to encourage more financial risk taking, amid fears risk-averse consumers are losing out and ultimately stymying UK growth.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business">Continue reading...</a> Investments Advertising Business Media Money Financial crisis Economics Banking Rachel Reeves Society Barclays Aviva Schroders JP Morgan Investing Investment Isas Investment funds Financial sector Isas Politics UK news Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:36:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business Photograph: James Speakman/PA Photograph: James Speakman/PA Photograph: James Speakman/PA Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent 2026-04-23T07:36:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/apr/23/yes-retail-investment-needs-a-boost-but-savvy-squirrel-looks-too-tame <p>Ambition behind investing campaign is laudable, yet cutting stamp duty on share purchases, for example, would be much more savvy</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business">City firms bank on ‘savvy’ ad campaign to push Brits towards investing</a></p></li></ul><p>Red squirrel characters have a history in the public information game. Older UK readers may recall Tufty, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=willy+weasel+and+tufty+the+squirrel&amp;sca_esv=62d5690ced025e5a&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n44DWoCHkRYulcpvdgjnQHFFyM3Qg%3A1776858960099&amp;ei=ULfoacXXBbOvhbIPzfrbiQQ&amp;biw=1970&amp;bih=1002&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjFv4e5s4GUAxWzV0EAHU39NkEQ4dUDCBM&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=willy+weasel+and+tufty+the+squirrel&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiI3dpbGx5IHdlYXNlbCBhbmQgdHVmdHkgdGhlIHNxdWlycmVsMgUQIRigAUiCc1CWA1ilcHAXeAKQAQCYAWmgAfUUqgEEMzQuMrgBA8gBAPgBAZgCOqACkhXCAgQQABhHwgIFEAAYgATCAgUQLhiABMICBhAAGBYYHsICBRAAGO8FwgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAgUQIRifBcICBxAhGAoYoAHCAgQQIRgKwgILEAAYgAQYigUYhgPCAgQQIRgVmAMA4gMFEgExIECIBgGQBgiSBwQ1NS4zoAezcbIHBDMxLjO4B9YUwgcGNy40Ny40yAdkgAgB&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:4f7dfb5c,vid:ILexJUDLHw8,st:0">who taught children about road safety in the 1970s</a>. His chum, Willy Weasel, regularly got knocked down by passing cars but clever Tufty always remembered to look both ways.</p><p>Now comes Savvy Squirrel, who, with backing from the chancellor and a multi-year lump of advertising spend from the financial services industry, will try “to drive a step-change in how investing is understood, discussed and adopted”, as the blurb puts it. In translation: don’t squirrel everything away in a boring cash Isa but try taking an investment risk or two if you value your long-term financial health.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/apr/23/yes-retail-investment-needs-a-boost-but-savvy-squirrel-looks-too-tame">Continue reading...</a> Investing Business Investments Stock markets Isas Money Savings Rachel Reeves Economic policy Politics Banks and building societies Financial sector UK news Stamp duty Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:03:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/apr/23/yes-retail-investment-needs-a-boost-but-savvy-squirrel-looks-too-tame Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images Nils Pratley 2026-04-22T23:03:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/16/ceo-of-bitcoin-firm-championed-by-nigel-farage-leaves-company-stack-btc <p>Resignation announced of Jai Patel, whose liquidated crypto firm was relaunched as Stack BTC this year</p><p>The chief executive of a bitcoin company promoted by Nigel Farage has left his role as the venture attempts to convince investors that it is going to deliver “long-term value” for shareholders.</p><p>Stack BTC was launched to much fanfare in March this year, with Farage and former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng becoming some of its first shareholders. The company says its founder is Paul Withers, a friend of the Reform UK leader who owns a gold bullion company that Farage has also promoted, Direct Bullion.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/16/ceo-of-bitcoin-firm-championed-by-nigel-farage-leaves-company-stack-btc">Continue reading...</a> Nigel Farage Cryptocurrencies Politics Investments Reform UK Kwasi Kwarteng UK news Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/16/ceo-of-bitcoin-firm-championed-by-nigel-farage-leaves-company-stack-btc Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Helena Horton 2026-04-16T06:00:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/11/child-trust-funds-windfall-18-uk-ctf <p>All children born in the UK between September 2002 and January 2011 have a CTF – but £1bn has not been claimed</p><p>At some point in the midst of 2009 I made a decision that would change my son’s life: I started paying £10 a month into his child trust fund account.</p><p>It didn’t seem like much but, almost 18 years later, thanks to the performance of the stock market and the original government payment, he’s about to get about £10,000. At first he had no idea what to do next, financially, and he’s not alone.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/11/child-trust-funds-windfall-18-uk-ctf">Continue reading...</a> Child trust funds Money Consumer affairs Savings Banks and building societies Young people Isas State benefits HMRC Investments Investing Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:20:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/11/child-trust-funds-windfall-18-uk-ctf Photograph: Flashpop/Getty Images Photograph: Flashpop/Getty Images Photograph: Flashpop/Getty Images Jai Breitnauer 2026-04-11T06:20:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/30/uk-savers-told-to-act-now-before-easter-sunday-cash-isa-deadline <p>Interest rates as high as 4.45% and a steep cut in next year’s allowance fuel forecast of last-minute rush</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/30/cost-of-living-how-to-prepare-for-the-awful-april-shower-of-bill-increases">Cost of living: how to prepare for the ‘awful April’ shower of bill increases</a></p></li></ul><p>Savers who want to make the most of this year’s cash Isa allowance are being urged not to leave it to the last minute, as the deadline for applications falls on the Easter weekend.</p><p>The Isa wrapper allows people to save or invest money and benefit from the returns free of tax. Each tax year, people can pay in up to £20,000, which can then be moved around in subsequent years without the tax benefits being lost.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/30/uk-savers-told-to-act-now-before-easter-sunday-cash-isa-deadline">Continue reading...</a> Cash Isas Isas Investment Isas Investments Savings Business Banks and building societies Money Financial sector UK news Interest rates Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/30/uk-savers-told-to-act-now-before-easter-sunday-cash-isa-deadline Photograph: mundissima/Alamy Photograph: mundissima/Alamy Photograph: mundissima/Alamy Hilary Osborne 2026-03-30T06:00:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/05/cost-of-living-qa-post-your-questions-for-money-expert-hilary-osborne-now <p>This week’s events in the Middle East have sent stock markets plummeting and energy prices soaring. Money expert Hilary Osborne answered your questions about the cost of living</p><p>In a week where Rachel Reeves had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/03/rachel-reeves-iran-war-spring-forecast-unemployment">hoped to confirm a period of economic stability</a> in Tuesday’s spring statement, global events once more overtaken the government’s best laid plans. The US and Israel’s war on Iran has shaken global markets and caused huge fears about energy prices and the impact they will have on inflation and the cost of living.</p><p>Hilary Osborne, Guardian’s money and consumer editor and has been busy answering your questions about the wider economic fallout – and many others below.</p><p>If you managed to grab a fixed rate below the current price cap then well done – even if it isn’t as a keen a deal as you might have got last week, you will probably still be happy with your choice if energy prices go in the direction that experts are expecting.</p><p>In April, the price cap set by the regulator, Ofgem, is set to fall to £1,641 a year for a typical household buying gas and electricity from the same supplier and paying by direct debit.</p><p>This is a tricky one – council tax bills are set to rise again in April, and in many areas they will be going up by the maximum 4.99% that can be applied [in England] without a referendum. As an individual there is not much you can do about this, beyond checking if you are entitled to any discount. If you live on your own you should be entitled to 25% off your annual bill, and there are certain people who are exempt from being charged, including students. To check if you qualify to pay less, you can put your postcode into the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-tax-discount">government website</a> and it will direct you to the right page on your council’s site. If you’re really struggling, do tell your council as they often have discretionary help available. Don’t wait to get into arrears as councils can escalate debts quickly and ask you to pay your entire annual bill after just one missed payment. This is something debt charities are currently lobbying the government to change.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/05/cost-of-living-qa-post-your-questions-for-money-expert-hilary-osborne-now">Continue reading...</a> Money UK cost of living crisis Investments Savings Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:08:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/05/cost-of-living-qa-post-your-questions-for-money-expert-hilary-osborne-now Composite: Guardian Design Composite: Guardian Design Composite: Guardian Design Hosted by Guardian moderators 2026-03-05T08:08:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/10/ai-bubble-finances-crash-tech-meltdown-savings-pensions <p>Some experts have voiced fears a tech meltdown could hit our savings and pensions – here’s how to protect yourself</p><p>The new year has started as 2025 ended – with share prices booming amid warnings from some that the growth is being driven by overvalued technology stocks. Fears of an “AI bubble” have been voiced by people from the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/08/bank-of-england-warns-of-growing-risk-that-ai-bubble-could-burst">governor of the Bank of England</a> to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/18/alphabet-boss-sundar-pichai-ai-artificial-intelligence-trust">head of Google’s parent company, Alphabet</a>.</p><p>Even if you have not actively invested in technology shares, the chances are you have some exposure to companies operating in the sphere. Even if you do not, a collapse could take down other companies’ values.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/10/ai-bubble-finances-crash-tech-meltdown-savings-pensions">Continue reading...</a> Investments AI (artificial intelligence) Stock markets Money Savings Investing Business Technology sector Technology UK news Investment funds Sat, 10 Jan 2026 07:00:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/10/ai-bubble-finances-crash-tech-meltdown-savings-pensions Photograph: sarayut Thaneerat/Getty Images Photograph: sarayut Thaneerat/Getty Images Photograph: sarayut Thaneerat/Getty Images Hilary Osborne 2026-01-10T07:00:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/31/itv-joe-wicks-body-coach-app-investment-health-fitness <p>The Body Coach app, launched in pandemic, will advertise on ITV’s channels and video platform ITVX under deal</p><p></p><p>The broadcaster ITV has agreed to invest up to £3m into the health and fitness app The Body Coach, created by Joe Wicks, who shot to fame by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/12/joe-wicks-children-fitness-hey-duggee-the-burpee-bears">getting people exercising</a> in their living rooms during the Covid pandemic.</p><p>It is the latest deal made through the group’s media for equity investment fund ITV AdVentures Invest. As part of the agreement, The Body Coach will advertise on ITV’s channels and its video platform ITVX.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/31/itv-joe-wicks-body-coach-app-investment-health-fitness">Continue reading...</a> ITV Joe Wicks Media ITV Digital Apps Technology Life and style Health Fitness Society Health & wellbeing ITV plc Television industry Business Telecoms Telecommunications industry Coronavirus Investments Comcast Sky Sky Rupert Murdoch Media business US news UK news Meta Google Amazon Netflix Advertising Nutrition Diets and dieting Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:35:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/31/itv-joe-wicks-body-coach-app-investment-health-fitness Photograph: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images for Activate Photograph: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images for Activate Photograph: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images for Activate Joanna Partridge 2025-12-31T15:35:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/31/ftse-100-index-best-year-since-2009 <p>FTSE index closes up 21.5% on New Year’s Eve at end of strong year for global equity markets</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2025/dec/31/how-the-ftse-100-dinosaur-roared-back-to-life">How the FTSE 100 ‘dinosaur’ roared back to life</a></p></li></ul><p>Britain’s stock market has increased in value by a fifth over 2025 – its biggest annual gain since 2009 – in a strong year for shares around the world.</p><p>The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip stocks closed up 21.5% on New Year’s Eve compared with the start of January, beating Wall Street returns. The wider all-share market was 19.75% higher.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/31/ftse-100-index-best-year-since-2009">Continue reading...</a> FTSE Business Shares London Stock Exchange Investments Stock markets Money Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:31:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/31/ftse-100-index-best-year-since-2009 Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Graeme Wearden 2025-12-31T15:31:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/24/farage-criticised-for-direct-bullion-job-promoting-physical-gold-as-pension-investment <p>Exclusive: Reform leader promotes Direct Bullion – but experts say commodity is not for everyday investors</p><p>Nigel Farage has been criticised over his £400,000-a-year second job promoting the idea that people should buy physical gold and put it into their pension pots.</p><p>Farage is paid more than four times his MPs’ salary for the four-hour-a-month job at Direct Bullion, where he has featured in Facebook and YouTube videos.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/24/farage-criticised-for-direct-bullion-job-promoting-physical-gold-as-pension-investment">Continue reading...</a> Nigel Farage Reform UK Politics Pensions Gold Commodities UK news Alternative investments Investments Money Business Pensions industry Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:00:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/24/farage-criticised-for-direct-bullion-job-promoting-physical-gold-as-pension-investment Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Rowena Mason Whitehall editor 2025-12-24T18:00:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/nov/29/beat-the-budget-a-five-point-action-plan-to-help-you-manage-your-cash <p>From Isas to salary sacrifice and inheritance to property tax, here’s how to best navigate the chancellor’s changes</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/28/budget-2025-your-questions-about-your-finances-answered">Your questions about your finances answered</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/27/bills-britons-budget-2025-rachel-reeves">‘Struggling to pay the bills’: Britons under pressure react to budget</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2025/nov/26/tax-pensions-and-energy-bills-how-the-2025-budget-could-affect-you">Video: tax, pensions and energy bills: how the budget could affect you</a></p></li></ul><p>After much anticipation, the chancellor delivered her second budget this week, unveiling a series of changes that could affect how you spend and save your money.</p><p>Here are some suggestions to consider what might lessen the impact on your finances.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/nov/29/beat-the-budget-a-five-point-action-plan-to-help-you-manage-your-cash">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Isas Savings Banks and building societies Stock markets Capital gains tax Income tax Tax Business UK news Investing Investments Investment Isas Investment funds Tax and spending Budget Budget 2025 Pensions National insurance Inheritance tax Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:00:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/nov/29/beat-the-budget-a-five-point-action-plan-to-help-you-manage-your-cash Photograph: Andrzej Rostek/Alamy Photograph: Andrzej Rostek/Alamy Photograph: Andrzej Rostek/Alamy Shane Hickey and Rupert Jones 2025-11-29T07:00:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/26/uk-savers-investors-tax-bills-isas-pensions-savings-rachel-reeves-budget <p>Chancellor unveils measures that will affect Isas, pensions, and income from dividends, property and savings interest</p><p>Measures that will mean higher tax bills for millions of savers and investors were unveiled by the chancellor as part of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/26/five-key-charts-2025-budget-statement-rachel-reeves">her budget statement</a>.</p><p>Alongside two widely trailed measures – cutting the maximum that can be put into a cash Isa each year and clamping down on salary sacrifice pension schemes – were two surprises: an exemption from the new Isa rules for those over 65, and an increase in income tax on savings interest and property and share dividend income.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/26/uk-savers-investors-tax-bills-isas-pensions-savings-rachel-reeves-budget">Continue reading...</a> Budget 2025 Savings Tax Investments Income tax Pensions Isas Shares Consumer affairs National insurance Business Budget Money UK news Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:01:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/26/uk-savers-investors-tax-bills-isas-pensions-savings-rachel-reeves-budget Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AP Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AP Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AP Rupert Jones and Shane Hickey 2025-11-26T17:01:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/18/warning-ai-chatbots-inaccurate-financial-advice-tips-chatgpt-copilot-uk <p>Which? study of ChatGPT, Copilot and others uncovers incorrect and misleading tips on investments, tax and insurance</p><p>Artificial intelligence chatbots are giving inaccurate money tips, offering British consumers misleading tax advice and suggesting they buy unnecessary travel insurance, research has revealed.</p><p>Tests on the most popular chatbots found Microsoft’s Copilot and ChatGPT advised breaking HMRC investment limits on Isas; ChatGPT wrongly said it was mandatory to have travel insurance to visit most EU countries; and Meta’s AI gave incorrect information about how to claim compensation for delayed flights.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/18/warning-ai-chatbots-inaccurate-financial-advice-tips-chatgpt-copilot-uk">Continue reading...</a> Chatbots AI (artificial intelligence) Computing Technology Family finances Money UK news HMRC Investing Investments Business Financial sector Politics ChatGPT Microsoft Consumer affairs Banking Insurance Travel insurance Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/18/warning-ai-chatbots-inaccurate-financial-advice-tips-chatgpt-copilot-uk Illustration: NurPhoto/Getty Images Illustration: NurPhoto/Getty Images Illustration: NurPhoto/Getty Images Robert Booth UK technology editor 2025-11-18T06:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/24/surge-uk-savings-lost-investment-scams-fake-crypto-fraud <p>Banking industry data shows £629m was stolen in six months from fraud that included gold, wine and property </p><p>The amount of money lost to investment scams by UK consumers has leapt 55% in a year as cryptocurrency fraudsters intensify their efforts to cheat people out of their savings, data shows.</p><p>Official UK banking industry data shows that while the total amount stolen by fraudsters increased 3% to £629m in the first six months of this year compared with last year, investment scam losses surged, reaching £97.7m during the period – more than £500,000 a day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/24/surge-uk-savings-lost-investment-scams-fake-crypto-fraud">Continue reading...</a> Scams Cybercrime Consumer affairs Investments Cryptocurrencies Crime Alternative investments Banking Business E-commerce Money Technology UK news Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:01:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/24/surge-uk-savings-lost-investment-scams-fake-crypto-fraud Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Rupert Jones 2025-10-23T23:01:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/08/junior-isas-rules-compare-accounts-save <p>Learn the rules, compare accounts and save steadily – five ways to make saving more efficient (and often more lucrative) for your offspring</p><p>A junior Isa is a long-term, tax-free way to save for children in the UK. The accounts were introduced in 2011 to replace the child trust fund (CTF), which was discontinued amid government spending cuts. Unlike CTFs, junior Isas are not started with a government voucher – all of the contributions are voluntary.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/08/junior-isas-rules-compare-accounts-save">Continue reading...</a> Junior Isas Investments Investment funds Isas Savings Saving money Savings rates Banks and building societies Money UK news Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:00:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/08/junior-isas-rules-compare-accounts-save Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Sarah Marsh 2025-10-08T04:00:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/05/neil-woodford-and-his-investment-firm-fined <p>FCA also bans former star stock picker from holding senior manager roles and managing funds for retail investors</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/aug/05/bp-cost-cuts-profits-dividend-car-sales-services-sector-business-live-news-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The former star stock picker Neil Woodford and his investment management company have been fined almost £46m by the UK’s financial regulator over the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/15/neil-woodford-equity-income-fund-wound-up">collapse of his popular equity fund</a>.</p><p>The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has given Woodford a penalty of £5.89m and banned him from holding senior manager roles and managing funds for retail investors and fined Woodford Investment Management (WIM) £40m.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/05/neil-woodford-and-his-investment-firm-fined">Continue reading...</a> Neil Woodford Financial Conduct Authority Regulators Financial sector Investment funds Investments Business Money UK news Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:11:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/05/neil-woodford-and-his-investment-firm-fined Photograph: Jonathan Atkins/Reuters Neil Woodford Photograph: Jonathan Atkins/Reuters Neil Woodford Photograph: Jonathan Atkins/Reuters Neil Woodford Julia Kollewe 2025-08-05T10:11:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/29/rachel-reeves-save-less-to-invest-policy-brilliant-or-disaster <p>People know about savings. But investing in stocks and shares? Not so much. Ministers have a duty to be clear about the benefits and risks</p><ul><li><p>Hilary Osborne is the Guardian’s money and consumer editor</p></li></ul><p>Without wanting to sound like a jeremiad from the Daily Mail, I should warn you that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/15/rachel-reeves-rules-red-tape-boot-on-neck-innovation-mansion-house">Rachel Reeves is after your money</a>. Part of her plan to grow the UK economy involves persuading cautious Britons to take more risks with their savings. It’s a win-win, she says. British business gets more investment and savers get better returns. The “nation of shopkeepers” becomes a nation of investors.</p><p>And it could all work out like that, of course. But there is the potential for things to go horribly wrong if the mooted letters from banks suggesting different investments and changes to risk warnings are done badly. There is also the danger of persuading people into the market in the good times, only for them to find themselves nursing losses in the next downturn.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/29/rachel-reeves-save-less-to-invest-policy-brilliant-or-disaster">Continue reading...</a> Shares Savings Rachel Reeves Investments Isas Banks and building societies Money Cash Isas Politics UK news Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/29/rachel-reeves-save-less-to-invest-policy-brilliant-or-disaster Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Hilary Osborne 2025-07-29T07:00:50Z