standard of living Archives - Philip J Milton & Company Plc

Inflation, deflation and market views

US inflation figures are higher than hoped (3.1% v 2.9% expected), jolting the market again and pushing Euro:Sterling to the highest since August 2022 and strengthening the Dollar. Our inflation at 4% was slightly less than expected but we have now entered ‘Recession’ with ‘two quarters of negative growth’ – good in attacking inflation but...

Are you confident about your retirement plan?

A recent study by Standard Life has shown that less than one in 10 of those aged over 65 feel confident about managing their retirement finances. Retirement is of course an uncertain time for many people, whether financially or simply the trepidation of entering the unknown and perhaps not knowing how you might spend your...

Consumer confidence

‘Consumer Confidence’ has risen for the third month and now at a two-year high, regardless of what negativity you may hear in the media. This seems to be supported by buoyant consumer spending since last autumn as well. It’s good, as it will reflect in economic output but will too much enthusiasm dampen the Chancellor’s...

Are you saving your money with a bit of savvy?

Did you know that savers in the UK have missed out on a combined total of £6.9billion in returns from their savings in 2023? Recent Bank of England data has shown that on average UK adults held some £235bn in current accounts that do not pay any interest. Consumer finance website Money Age reported that based...

Financial predictions for 2024?

Ominous Bitcoin So the SEC has approved 11 ETFs which invest in Bitcoin. First of all, don’t worry – we shan’t be buying them. Bitcoin is not an ‘asset’ and has nebulous, proven legitimate value and use. This ‘development’ is added to the latest speculative explosion about ‘AI’ (which of course has myriad applications and...

Inflation drops more than expected for New Year

Inflation has fallen more sharply and sooner than expected, as 2023 gives way to 2024. It fell to 3.9% in the year to November, dropping more than anticipated from 4.9% in October, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Consumer prices index (CPI) inflation has now fallen by nearly 7%, having...

What will the Autumn Statement mean for you and the UK?

The much-anticipated Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday contained some good news for workers and measures that will help ISA savers and investors, but the overall effects on the UK economy remain to be seen. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced he was cutting the rate of National Insurance from 12% to 10%. This will be effective from...

How much do you need for a ‘comfortable’ retirement?

UK residents need at least an extra £26,000 in addition to their State Pension to live a ‘comfortable’ lifestyle during their retirement, according to recent data. The research was carried out by Standard Life, which used the MoneyHelper annuity tool from www.moneyhelper.org.uk to work out how much people would need in their pension pot to...

Pension customers ‘overpaying’ thousands in temporary tax

Those who have made flexible withdrawals from their pension pot could have paid thousands more in tax than they should have done – if only temporarily. New figures show the ‘temporary overpayment’ is more than £1billion since 2015 and £48million in the first three months of this year alone. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will repay...

Coronation, cost of living & currency

Before anything else, we hope you had a really Happy Coronation Weekend! Well done your Majesties! So, US growth is lower than expected, unemployment is rising in the UK and the US as job vacancies are falling and that is seen as good news so the markets react without great negativity... why? It may sound bizarre...

Inflation, deflation and market views

Are you confident about your retirement plan?

Consumer confidence

Are you saving your money with a bit of savvy?

Financial predictions for 2024?

Inflation drops more than expected for New Year

What will the Autumn Statement mean for you and the UK?

How much do you need for a ‘comfortable’ retirement?

Pension customers ‘overpaying’ thousands in temporary tax

Coronation, cost of living & currency

Risk Warning

Find us on Facebook

Recent Tweets

Philip J Milton & Company Plc

Financial Ombudsman Service