Linkage Financial Solutions

06/12/2025

🎉 Looking forward to tonight! 🎉

Excited to be part of Arafest and support the incredible causes it champions.

It’s always inspiring to see our community come together and at Linkage Financial Solutions, we’re proud to play a role in making a difference.

With the festive spirit in the air and so many great people involved, tonight promises to be something special.

Let’s celebrate, connect, and keep the momentum going!

Arafest

26/11/2025

AUTUMN BUDGET 2025: THE KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS 🇬🇧
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her latest Budget. From a shake-up to benefits and pensions to new taxes on electric vehicles and gambling, here is everything you need to know about how it affects your wallet.

👇 AT A GLANCE 👇

💸 PAY & PENSIONS

Minimum Wage: Rising by 4.1% from April. Younger workers (18-20) will see a huge 6%-8.5% boost.

State Pension: Basic and New State Pension rates increasing by 4.8% (Triple Lock secured).

Tax Thresholds: The freeze on income tax thresholds has been extended for another 3 years (meaning as your pay goes up, you might pay more tax).

Student Loans: Repayment thresholds frozen for 3 years.

🏠 YOUR MONEY & COST OF LIVING

Two-Child Benefit Cap: SCRAPPED from this April.

Energy Bills: Average household bill to be cut by £150 from April.

ISAs: Cash ISA annual limit slashed by £8,000 (down to £12k) – but over-65s are exempt.

Savings Tax: Tax rates on property savings and dividend income increased by 2%.

Pension Tax: Salary-sacrificed pension contributions over £2,000/year will no longer be exempt from National Insurance (starts April 2029).

🚗 DRIVERS & TRANSPORT

Fuel Duty: Frozen until next September.

Electric Vehicles: A new "Mileage Tax" hits EVs from April 2028.

Luxury Car Tax: Threshold raised to £50,000 (good news for some EV buyers).

EV Grants: £1.3bn boost for electric car grants + £200m for chargers.

🏰 WEALTH & PROPERTY

Mansion Tax: New levies of £2,500 (properties over £2m) and £7,500 (over £5m).

Inheritance Tax: 100% relief allowance can now be transferred between spouses.

📈 ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Growth: OBR has downgraded the growth forecast by 0.3%.

Small Biz: Training for apprentices under 25 will be FREE for smaller businesses.

Betting: Heavy taxes on gambling – Remote gaming duty up to 40%; online betting duty to 25%.

🏛️ INVESTMENT

NHS: £4.9bn extra investment.

Regions: £13bn funding for Mayors, plus millions for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Schools: £23m total boost for libraries and playgrounds.

💭 What’s your take? Is this a budget for growth or are the tax hikes too much? Let us know in the comments! 👇

04/10/2025

📣 Important Pension Update – What It Means for You?

The Labour government is considering changes to higher-rate pension tax relief as part of its strategy to balance the UK’s finances — without raising income tax, VAT, or National Insurance.

🔍 What’s Changing?

Higher earners may see reduced tax relief on pension contributions.
This could impact long-term retirement planning and investment strategies.

💡 What Should You Do?

Now is a great time to review your pension arrangements. Whether you're a high earner or simply planning ahead, understanding how these changes could affect your future is essential.

📞 Let’s Talk
At Linkage Financial Solutions, we help you stay ahead of policy changes and make informed decisions. Book a free consultation today to discuss your options.

👉 Message us, call us on 01482 350375 or visit www.linkagefs.co.uk to get started.

17/09/2025

🏆 We’ve Been Nominated! 🏆

We’re proud to share that Linkage Financial Solutions has been shortlisted for the Northern Enterprise Awards 2025, hosted by SME News! 🎉

This recognition celebrates the hard work, dedication, and impact we’ve made in the financial services sector across the North of England.

It’s an honour to be considered among so many inspiring businesses.

👉 If we’ve made an impact on you, your family, your friends, or your finances, please leave a comment below to help showcase our value!

Your words mean the world to us and could help us shine even brighter.

16/09/2025

Analysis from Schroders Personal Wealth (SPW) revealed that 51% of 1,500 adults surveyed lack awareness of key changes, including:

✅ A rising State Pension age
✅ The inclusion of defined contribution pensions in inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2027
✅ The potential 2025 Pensions Bill

These changes could affect retirement timelines and financial futures.

At Linkage Financial Solutions, we believe staying informed is essential. If you’re unsure how these changes might impact your plans, now is the time to review your strategy and take control of your financial future.

📞 Contact us today to discuss your retirement planning.

14/09/2025

Planning for Retirement: Start Today, Enjoy Tomorrow

Retirement isn’t just about stopping work. It’s about living the life you’ve dreamed of.

The question is:
Are you financially ready?

✅ 3 Key Steps to Secure Your Future:

1. Know Your Number:
How much will you need each month to live comfortably?

2. Maximize Contributions:
Take advantage of pensions, ISAs, and employer schemes.

3. Plan for Longevity:
People are living longer, so your money needs to last.

📌 Tip:
The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have. Even small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow.

💬 What’s your biggest question about retirement planning? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to help!

12/09/2025

🎉 Welcome Max to Linkage Financial Solutions!

We’re delighted to announce that Max has joined us as our new Finance Administrator.

A graduate of Newcastle University with a degree in Economics and Finance, Max brings fresh energy, ambition, and a genuine passion for financial services. He’s already begun working towards his CII exams, with a clear goal of progressing into financial planning.

Max was drawn to Linkage by the energy and enthusiasm that define our approach to client relationships and we’re proud that this spirit continues to attract talent with big intentions and bright ideas.

Outside of work, Max is an avid golfer, hiker, and skier, with family roots in Corsica, a place he highly recommends for its stunning beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to the impact he’ll make as part of the Linkage team!

https://www.linkagefs.co.uk/why-us

01/09/2025

Jean Tirole, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, has warned about 'insufficient supervision' of stablecoins and the possibility that governments will be forced into multibillion-dollar bailouts should the tokens unravel in a future financial crisis.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in economics said he was 'very, very worried' about supervision of stablecoins and the possibility of a run by depositors if doubts materialised over the underlying reserve assets to which the digital tokens were pegged.

Read more here: https://on.ft.com/3UV0b1t

12/08/2025

📢 Stay Informed with Linkage Financial Services!
Our latest newsletter is out now — packed with expert insights, financial tips, and updates to help you stay ahead in your financial journey. Whether you're planning for retirement, exploring investment opportunities, or simply want to stay informed, we've got you covered.

📰 Read Edition 47 here:
👉 https://bit.ly/4124ATM

💬 Got questions or need advice? Drop us a message or visit our website to learn more.

Call now to connect with business.

12/08/2025

Stop the double tax (IHT & Income Tax) of pension funds & death benefits.

The Government are introducing inheritance tax to pension funds & death benefits from April 2027. When you die this may now result in a disproportionate and unfair double taxation on beneficiaries (income tax and inheritance tax) which we think results in a disincentive to funding a pension.

07/08/2025

📉 Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates to 4%

What It Means for You
Today, the Bank of England reduced its base rate from 4.25% to 4%. While the 0.25 percentage point cut was widely expected, it took two rounds of voting to reach a decision.

This is a rare split among the Monetary Policy Committee. In the second round, five members voted for the cut, four against.

Interestingly, member Alan Taylor initially pushed for a deeper cut to 3.75%, before switching to support holding at 4.25%.

This marks the fifth rate cut since August 2024, bringing the base rate down from a peak of 5.25%. The next decision is due on 18 September.

🏠 Mortgage Implications
- Tracker mortgage holders will benefit immediately, with repayments falling in line with the base rate cut.

- Fixed-rate borrowers won’t see immediate changes, but lenders may trim rates slightly in the coming weeks.

- If your fixed deal is ending soon — especially those taken during the ultra-low rate era — now is a crucial time to review your mortgage options. Rates around 4% are becoming the new normal.

💰 Impact on Savers
- Unfortunately, falling interest rates often mean lower returns on savings accounts.

- Easy-access savings rates may drop from around 3.9% to 3.5%.
- If you rely on savings income, it’s worth reassessing your strategy, especially if inflation continues to outpace returns.

📊 Savings vs. Equity Growth: A Long-Term View Here’s how average annual returns compare over different time horizons:

| Time Period | Cash Savings (avg) | UK Equity (FTSE All-Share avg) |
Last 5 Years | ~2.5% | ~4.8% |
Last 10 Years | ~1.8% | ~6.2% |
Last 15 Years | ~1.5% | ~5.5% |

Note: Equity returns include reinvested dividends; savings rates reflect typical high street accounts.

📌 Takeaway With rates falling and inflation still above target, now’s a good time to:

- Review your mortgage — especially if your fixed term is ending.
- Reassess your savings strategy — consider whether your money is working hard enough.
- Explore long-term growth options such as equities and diversified investments may offer better inflation protection.

If you’d like help reviewing your mortgage or savings plan, feel free to contact us. Transparent, tailored advice is just a conversation away.

Get expert, independent mortgage & financial advice in Beverley, Hull. Linkage Financial Solutions offers tailored solutions to guide your financial journey.