https://www.theguardian.com/money/savings 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 06:50:20 GMT 2026-06-12T06:50:20Z 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/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/26/nsi-bereaved-families-missing-premium-bonds-savings <p>Errors and delays in tracing accounts at the trusted savings institution have compounded the stress of relatives losing loved ones</p><p>“It has been more than a year of hell,” says Kate Constable about the time it took to claim £46,000 in premium bonds belonging to her late mother.</p><p>The process was drawn out because National Savings and Investments (NS&amp;I) rules mean anyone claiming a savings pot of more than £5,000 must obtain probate first.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/26/nsi-bereaved-families-missing-premium-bonds-savings">Continue reading...</a> Savings Inheritance tax Banking Banks and building societies Tax Money Business UK news Bereavement Corporate governance Tue, 26 May 2026 06:00:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/26/nsi-bereaved-families-missing-premium-bonds-savings Photograph: Justin Long/Alamy Photograph: Justin Long/Alamy Photograph: Justin Long/Alamy Zoe Wood 2026-05-26T06:00:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/19/the-guardian-view-on-saving-for-old-age-alarming-shortfalls-set-the-scene-for-a-pensions-overhaul <p>Auto-enrolment has made retirement more secure for many. But some groups, including women, need more support </p><p>Recommendations from the government-backed Pensions Commission are not due until next year. But its interim warning that at least 15 million Britons <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/19/britons-not-saving-enough-retire-pensions-commission">are not saving enough</a> for retirement already signals the scale of the challenge. The trend towards increasing longevity means that the issue of retirement incomes is unavoidable. At some point during the next decade, a threshold is expected to be reached whereby there are three pensioners for every 10 working-age adults.</p><p>The decision to reconvene this expert group was a good one. The automatic enrolment system it proposed has been a success, with around 90% of eligible employees signing up since 2012, along with their employers. But millions of low-paid workers, as well as the vast majority of self-employed people, face an uncertain future unless they too are helped to plan and save. One suggestion, made by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) as part of its own <a href="https://ifs.org.uk/publications/pensions-review-final-recommendations">pensions review</a>, was that HM Revenue and Customs could oversee a system whereby self-employed taxpayers would be enabled to make pension contributions at the same time as paying their tax bill.</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/19/the-guardian-view-on-saving-for-old-age-alarming-shortfalls-set-the-scene-for-a-pensions-overhaul">Continue reading...</a> Pensions Retirement planning Pensions industry State pensions Money Institute for Fiscal Studies Savings Retirement age Ageing Older people Tax Tue, 19 May 2026 17:37:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/19/the-guardian-view-on-saving-for-old-age-alarming-shortfalls-set-the-scene-for-a-pensions-overhaul Photograph: Trevor Chriss/Alamy Photograph: Trevor Chriss/Alamy Photograph: Trevor Chriss/Alamy Editorial 2026-05-19T17:37:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/19/ns-and-i-to-contact-families-owed-367m-after-savings-scandal <p>The bank’s interim chief executive says ‘this issue should never have happened’, but warns it may take time to process claims</p><p>National <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/savings">Savings</a> and Investments bank will start to contact thousands of families affected by a missing savings scandal next week, as it confirmed how much they are owed.</p><p>In March, the chief executive of the state-backed bank was forced out after it emerged there had been long-running problems with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing">tracing of accounts belonging to customers who had died</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/19/ns-and-i-to-contact-families-owed-367m-after-savings-scandal">Continue reading...</a> Money Business Banks and building societies Savings UK news Banking Tue, 19 May 2026 17:27:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/19/ns-and-i-to-contact-families-owed-367m-after-savings-scandal Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Zoe Wood 2026-05-19T17:27:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/rising-prices-money-inflation-higher-interest-rates-petrol-prices <p>Households ‘increasingly gloomy’ about finances amid fears of interest rate rises due to higher fuel prices</p><p>Rising prices have become the top financial concern for UK households, according to a monthly consumer confidence survey, before Wednesday’s official figures, which are likely to show inflation remaining stubbornly high.</p><p>Amid fears of higher interest rates owing to increased fuel prices after the closure of the strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in the Middle East, households have become “increasingly gloomy about their financial situation”, the report said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/rising-prices-money-inflation-higher-interest-rates-petrol-prices">Continue reading...</a> Economics Inflation UK cost of living crisis Business Interest rates Savings Money UK news US-Israel war on Iran Mon, 18 May 2026 12:37:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/rising-prices-money-inflation-higher-interest-rates-petrol-prices Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Tom Knowles 2026-05-18T12:37:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/pensions-commission-warns-retirement-savings-gender-gap-uk <p>Body says, on average, British women approaching retirement have half private pension savings of men – £81,000 versus £156,000</p><p>A shake-up of pensions in Britain must involve measures to close the gap in retirement savings between men and women, the revived Pensions Commission is to tell ministers.</p><p>According to the government-backed body, women approaching retirement have on average half the private pension savings of men, with a median pension wealth of £81,000 versus £156,000.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/pensions-commission-warns-retirement-savings-gender-gap-uk">Continue reading...</a> Pensions Retirement planning Business Pensions industry Savings Money UK news Inequality Institute for Fiscal Studies Women Sun, 17 May 2026 23:01:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/pensions-commission-warns-retirement-savings-gender-gap-uk Photograph: Rightdisc/Alamy Photograph: Rightdisc/Alamy Photograph: Rightdisc/Alamy Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent 2026-05-17T23:01:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/uk-savings-traps-new-deal-account-good-rates <p>If you are looking for a new account, there are some good rates around, but also pitfalls to watch out for</p><p>Earning as much as 7% on your savings sounds great – but what’s the catch? The top-paying accounts often come with strings attached, which could mean your money is not working as hard as you thought.</p><p>That’s important because there is a lot of cash sitting in fixed-rate savings accounts that are about to reach the end of their term. The total amount in accounts maturing between April and June is £90bn, according to the savings app Spring – and that money will need to find a new home.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/uk-savings-traps-new-deal-account-good-rates">Continue reading...</a> Savings Savings rates Banks and building societies Money Banking Business UK news Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/uk-savings-traps-new-deal-account-good-rates Photograph: Warren Bourne/Alamy Photograph: Warren Bourne/Alamy Photograph: Warren Bourne/Alamy Holly Mead 2026-05-11T06:00:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/05/ttell-us-are-you-caught-up-ns-and-i-lost-funds <p>If you’re affected by the National Savings and Investments lost funds scandal, we would like to hear from you</p><p>This month the state-backed National <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/savings">Savings</a> and Investments (NS&amp;I) bank will share its plan to reunite thousands of bereaved families with their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing">missing money.</a></p><p>In March it emerged that 37,500 people faced delays because of problems tracing the premium bonds of deceased customers. The families are collectively owed nearly £500m.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/05/ttell-us-are-you-caught-up-ns-and-i-lost-funds">Continue reading...</a> Banks and building societies Savings Business Money UK news Tue, 05 May 2026 16:26:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/05/ttell-us-are-you-caught-up-ns-and-i-lost-funds Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Guardian community team 2026-05-05T16:26:15Z 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/29/rachel-reeves-tax-shake-up-isas-self-assessment <p>The chancellor’s changes will come into force in April 2027, affecting everyone from savers to landlords and sole traders. Experts say to act now</p><p>Millions of people will be affected by a range of savings, investment and tax changes that take effect in just under a year’s time.</p><p>“April 2027 may feel some way off, but when it comes to financial planning, a year is not a long time,” says Jason Hollands at the wealth management firm Evelyn Partners.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/29/rachel-reeves-tax-shake-up-isas-self-assessment">Continue reading...</a> Tax Consumer affairs Money Politics Isas Renting property UK news Savings Property HMRC Self-assessment tax Income tax Buying to let Financial sector Banks and building societies Business Capital gains tax Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/29/rachel-reeves-tax-shake-up-isas-self-assessment Photograph: Piotr Adamowicz/Alamy Photograph: Piotr Adamowicz/Alamy Photograph: Piotr Adamowicz/Alamy Rupert Jones 2026-04-29T06:00:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/24/stocks-and-shares-isa-right-where-to-invest <p>Some people are put off by myriad investment options. Here is a guide to the key decisions to help you choose </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business">‘Savvy Squirrel’ ad campaign looks to push Britons towards investing</a></p></li></ul><p>The U<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/savvy-squirrel-advertising-uk-investment-business">K government is keen to encourage people to invest</a>. If you are thinking of dipping your toe into the stock market, an Isa is often the best way, as it lets you protect any gains from tax. Here’s how to get started.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/24/stocks-and-shares-isa-right-where-to-invest">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Isas Savings Investing Business Financial sector UK news Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:30 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/24/stocks-and-shares-isa-right-where-to-invest Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Hilary Osborne 2026-04-24T05:00:30Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/campaign-launched-to-reunite-young-britons-with-forgotten-savings-accounts <p>HMRC is contacting 21-year-olds as part of a new awareness drive around lost child trust funds, with an average balance of £2,200</p><p>Rather than demanding money, HMRC is giving it away for once with a new campaign to reunite thousands of young Britons with forgotten savings accounts typically containing £2,200.</p><p>HM Revenue and Customs is contacting 21-year-olds as part of a new awareness drive around lost child trust funds (CTF) – the tax-free savings accounts set up for children born between September 2002 and January 2011.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/campaign-launched-to-reunite-young-britons-with-forgotten-savings-accounts">Continue reading...</a> Child trust funds Savings Saving money Banks and building societies Money Young people HMRC Society Politics UK news Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:41:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/23/campaign-launched-to-reunite-young-britons-with-forgotten-savings-accounts Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Zoe Wood Consumer affairs correspondent 2026-04-23T15:41:21Z 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/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/apr/07/calls-grow-for-government-to-automatically-release-child-trust-funds-at-21 <p>State-funded savings accounts set up for children at birth going unclaimed, with £1.5bn estimated to be sitting in bank accounts</p><p>As Elle Middlemas approached her 18th birthday, she began wondering if she had a child trust fund, a government savings account given to all children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, that can be accessed as soon as they officially hit adulthood.</p><p>She quickly hit a dead end. She wasn’t sure if she was even owed the money and could find no information online. An email to HMRC seeking clarity led her nowhere.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/07/calls-grow-for-government-to-automatically-release-child-trust-funds-at-21">Continue reading...</a> Child trust funds Young people Money Savings Society State benefits Benefits Labour UK news Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/07/calls-grow-for-government-to-automatically-release-child-trust-funds-at-21 Photograph: Posed by model; skynesher/Getty Images Photograph: Posed by model; skynesher/Getty Images Photograph: Posed by model; skynesher/Getty Images Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent 2026-04-07T05:00:40Z 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/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing <p>Pensions minister promises the ‘full truth’ as external advisers are hired to identify the scale of the errors</p><p>The chief executive of the state-backed National Savings and Investments bank has been forced out over a scandal that left thousands of bereaved families owed almost £500m.</p><p>The savings institution is in discussions with the Treasury to repay about 37,500 people who collectively have £470m in deposits trapped in the bank after long-running operational errors.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing">Continue reading...</a> Banks and building societies Savings Business Money UK news Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:14:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing Photograph: NS&I Photograph: NS&I Photograph: NS&I Lauren Almeida and Zoe Wood 2026-03-26T18:14:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/what-caused-the-nsi-missing-savings-errors-and-what-to-do-if-youre-affected <p>The state-owned savings bank owes nearly £500m to bereaved family members due to a long-running administrative problem</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing">NS&amp;I boss replaced as bank faces record payout over missing savings</a></p></li></ul><p>National Savings &amp; Investment (NS&amp;I) owes nearly £500m in missing payments to bereaved families after it emerged a long-running administrative problem had stopped them gaining access to their money. On Thursday, its chief executive, Dax Harkins, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/national-savings-investments-preparing-repayments-missing">was forced out</a> amid the scandal.</p><p>Here’s what has gone wrong at the state-owned savings bank.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/what-caused-the-nsi-missing-savings-errors-and-what-to-do-if-youre-affected">Continue reading...</a> Banks and building societies Savings UK news Money Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:02:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/26/what-caused-the-nsi-missing-savings-errors-and-what-to-do-if-youre-affected Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Photograph: Russell Hart/Alamy Shane Hickey and Zoe Wood 2026-03-26T17:02:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/14/uk-pensions-lifetime-isa-self-employed-tax-free <p>As the sun sets on a tax-free scheme used by nearly a million people, there are calls for a better deal on retirement saving</p><p>Emilia Farr opened a lifetime Isa when the accounts went on sale in 2017 as a way to save for her retirement. But having built up a pot of £76,000, the self-employed IT worker was shocked to hear that the accounts are being pensioned off.</p><p>“For me, [opening one] was a no-brainer. I treat it like a pension, and the government bonus is a real incentive to save,” says Farr, 40, who lives in London.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/14/uk-pensions-lifetime-isa-self-employed-tax-free">Continue reading...</a> Pensions Isas Savings Banks and building societies Money Budget 2025 Budget UK news Retirement planning Family finances Work & careers Self-assessment tax Employee benefits Tax Sat, 14 Mar 2026 07:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/14/uk-pensions-lifetime-isa-self-employed-tax-free Photograph: 57stock/Alamy Photograph: 57stock/Alamy Photograph: 57stock/Alamy Holly Mead 2026-03-14T07:00:13Z 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