In April 2025, employer NI rose from 13.8% to 15% and the threshold dropped to £5,000. How this affects salary negotiations, hiring decisions and your take-home pay.
From April 2025, employer National Insurance rose from 13.8% to 15% and the secondary threshold dropped to £5,000. Here's exactly what changed, what it costs employers, and why your pay rise may be smaller than expected.
An electric company car had just 2% Benefit in Kind (BIK) rate in 2022–2024. It rises to 3% in 2025/26 and 4% in 2026/27 — still dramatically lower than 20-30% for petrol cars. On a £50,000 EV, a 40% taxpayer pays just £600/year in tax.
How to choose between fixed and tracker mortgages in 2026, and whether a 2-year or 5-year fix is right for you — with break-even analysis and BoE rate forecasts.
The complete guide to completion day as a first-time buyer: what happens legally and financially, first-week admin checklist, and how to manage your new mortgage from day one.
How lenders calculate what you can borrow in 2026: income multiples, stress tests, credit scoring, self-employed applications and how to maximise your affordability.
Realistic timeline for saving a house deposit in 2026: average UK prices, savings rates, LISA bonus, and how to shave years off the process.
Full breakdown of all costs when buying your first home in 2026: stamp duty (post-April 2025 FTB changes), survey, conveyancing, moving, insurance and reserves.
Fuel duty has been frozen at 52.95p per litre since March 2022 — and the Spring Statement 2026 extended that freeze again. But duty is only part of what you pay at the pump. Here's the full breakdown of what makes up petrol and diesel prices in 2025/26.
Gift Aid lets charities reclaim 25p per £1 you donate — and if you're a higher-rate taxpayer, you can claim an extra 25p per £1 back yourself. Here's every scenario, including the £100k adjusted net income trick.
Charities reclaim 25p per £1 donated via Gift Aid. But if you're a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim a further 20p per £1 via Self Assessment — most people never do.
Gift Aid mistakes mean HMRC can claw back donations from charities, and donors can face surprise tax bills. The 7 most common errors — and how higher-rate taxpayers often leave money on the table.
