Beckford & Lewis Financial Planning Ltd

09/10/2026

A lovely Trail to complete if you are popping into town 🗺️

CoLab Diss is in the Heritage Triangle opposite Fredricks Fine Foods.

Collect your Trail map from CoLab today before 4pm.
When you bring it back you can exchange it for a seed b○mb 🌻🌼🌷🪻⚘️
This trail has been designed by the wonderful artists of Last Autumn Light The Corn Hall

08/10/2026

We’re hearing this a lot.

For homeowners who fixed their mortgage a few years ago, the rate they’ve been paying can feel a world away from the rates available when their current deal ends.

And if the difference is several percentage points, the impact on the monthly payment can be substantial.🥲

It’s one of the reasons your fixed-rate end date is worth knowing. Not because you need to make a decision today.
Simply because understanding when your current deal ends gives you time to understand what the numbers could look like afterwards.

Know your mortgage. Know your dates. Know what’s coming.

06/10/2026

With less than four weeks before the chancellor John Healey stands up to give his first Budget, leaks about what might be announced have been few and far between.

The lack of rumours has also led to a notable reduction in speculation, which has been welcomed by both SJP and markets. The panic seen in previous years around potential changes to pensions for example, appears to have been largely muted.

However, in his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, the prime minister Andy Burnham set out a pledge to offer access to free social care services to everyone in England – on which he intends to lead Labour into the next election.

Read more: https://www.beckfordandlewis.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/autumn-budget-2026-with-a-month-to-go-what-lies-ahead

02/10/2026

We’re delighted to support Diss Otters and proud to play a small part in supporting our local community. 💙

Being part of the Diss community means a lot to us at Beckford & Lewis, and we’re always pleased to support the clubs and organisations that bring people together. 🏊‍♀️

🥇Race Sponsor Spotlight

A huge thanks to Beckford & Lewis Financial Planning Ltd for sponsoring an event at our Gala this month.

Their office is on the Market Place in town and they specialise in intergenerational financial planning, putting client’s needs at the heart of their business.

They are based here on the border, but cover the whole of East Anglia and beyond, building long term, trusted relationships and endeavouring to provide excellent customer service.

We love seeing local businesses getting behind our swimmers - thank you for being a part of it.

Ready, set - SWIM! 🏊

02/10/2026

The phrase “double-taxation” is being used abundantly in discussions about the pension changes coming in April 2027.

But what does that actually mean, and could it affect your family?

Understanding the potential impact now could help you make more informed estate planning decisions in the future.

Beckford & Lewis Financial Planning Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.


James’s Place

SJP Approved: 27/08/2026

01/10/2026

We wonder how many more warm sunny mornings we will have in October??? There is not a cloud in the sky here in Diss.

Soon enough we will be all wrapped up in winter coats. Unless there is another heat wave on the way. Who knows with the Uk!

30/09/2026

Income rises can be tempting, but beware of lifestyle creep! 🤑

When your earnings go up, it’s easy to let spending follow suit. Here’s how to keep your financial goals on track:

- Be mindful: Assess what truly adds value to your life.
- Set limits: Create a budget that safeguards your savings.
- Focus on investments: Consider pensions and other long-term strategies to grow your wealth.

By keeping a level head, you’ll ensure that the extra cash works for you, not against you!

24/09/2026

Waiting too long to seek financial advice can often lead to costlier problems down the line. Whether it’s managing your investments or planning for a comfortable retirement, acting sooner rather than later is key.

🔍 Common pitfalls include:
• Upsized debt due to missed opportunities
• Higher taxes from unplanned withdrawals
• Reduced pension funds because of late decisions

Making informed choices early can save both time and money.

22/09/2026

Inheritance Tax planning isn't only about how much tax might be due. There’s another question worth considering:

**Will your family have access to the money to pay it when it's needed?**

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is generally due by the end of the sixth month after someone dies. This can create practical challenges where much of an estate is tied up in assets such as property and cannot easily be accessed or sold.

Changes from April 2027, when most unused pension funds are due to be included when calculating the value of an estate for IHT purposes, could make this an important consideration for more families.

One option that may form part of an estate plan is whole of life assurance.

A whole of life policy provides a guaranteed lump sum on death, provided the policy remains in force and the required premiums have been paid. When appropriately written in trust, the proceeds will usually sit outside the estate for IHT purposes and can generally be accessed without waiting for probate.

This could provide beneficiaries with funds that can be used towards an IHT liability without necessarily having to sell other assets or borrow money at what may already be a difficult time.

However, whole of life assurance isn't suitable for everyone. Premiums are normally payable for life and the cost can vary significantly depending on factors such as age, health and the level of cover required.

Whether it is appropriate will depend on your individual circumstances and should be considered as part of your wider estate and financial planning.

If you'd like to understand the options available when planning for Inheritance Tax, we're here to help.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This content is for information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Read more: https://www.beckfordandlewis.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/whole-of-life-assurance-the-quiet-solution-to-the-iht-landscape

21/09/2026

The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold at 3.75%, despite continued inflationary pressures and recent rate rises in both the US and Europe.

With so much economic news competing for attention, it can be difficult to understand what these decisions might mean in practice.

This article provides some useful context around the Bank's latest decision and the factors shaping the outlook for interest rates and inflation.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/4hi8Rd5

Beckford & Lewis Financial Planning Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 17/09/2026