Category: news

A few months ago, we shared details of an exciting new Blue Wealth social event that’s taking place this summer.

If you’re keen to join us for a fabulous evening floating along the water in Bristol, time is running out to book your spot!

Here’s a little reminder of what we’ve got planned…

Join us for a boat trip on Thursday 3 July

We love meeting up with our clients both in and outside the office. There are some staples in the Blue Wealth calendar, such as the annual golf day, but we also enjoy coming up with new ideas.

So, this summer, we’ve planned our first summer boat trip.

Here are the key details:

• The event will take place on Thursday 3 July, 5 pm to 7 pm.
• We’ll meet at Princes Wharf, which is around a 10-minute walk from the city centre.
• After boarding, you’ll enjoy a gentle one-hour trip around Bristol harbour aboard The Matthew.
• There’ll be another hour to relax and chat after we dock, with food provided by The Jolly Hog.

The Matthew of Bristol is a unique heritage attraction

The Matthew is Bristol’s historic floating harbour. It’s a fabulous and faithful reconstruction of the vessel used by explorer John Cabot when he sailed from Bristol and discovered Newfoundland in 1497.

It is continually being improved and updated by The Matthew of Bristol Trust to ensure it remains in tip-top condition for all those who come aboard.

Offering an unrivalled view of the city from the water, a trip on this beautiful ship is sure to be a memorable experience.

So, why not join us for a few drinks on board? Soak up the history, enjoy the evening sunshine (we hope), and chat to the team.

It’s going to be a fabulous evening, and we’d love to see you there.

If you’d like to book your place or if you have any questions about this event, please email your adviser.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about our upcoming social events, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Keeping an up-to-date will gives you control over how your assets and personal belongings are distributed after you’re gone. Without a will, your wealth could be passed on in ways you do not intend.

As such, will writing is a fundamental part of your financial plan – no matter what stage of life you’re at.

Yet, despite its significance, the law governing wills in England and Wales remains rooted in the outdated Wills Act 1837 – which has not been changed or updated in over 200 years.

So, on 16 May, the government welcomed the publication of the Law Commission’s final report, Modernising Wills Law, as “an important and timely review of the existing law.”

The report is accompanied by a draft bill, which is currently under consideration by the government.

While the report sets out 31 proposals, here are four of the key recommendations for reform.

1. The introduction of electronic wills

An electronic will or “e-will” is one that is created in digital form and signed using electronic signatures. It is typically stored and transmitted online.

However, UK law does not currently recognise this type of will.

Under the Wills Act 1837, you (the testator) must sign your will in the presence of two witnesses. To make the document legally valid, these must all be physical “wet” ink signatures – pen on paper.

Yet, legalising electronic wills may offer several benefits:

• Greater accessibility and convenience – Allowing people to create, sign, and store their wills online could make the process much easier for those with mobility issues or whose witnesses live in another country.
• Enhanced security – Digital security measures, such as encryption, could reduce the risk of wills being lost, damaged, or tampered with.
• Increased engagement – Research by Canada Life has revealed that over half of UK adults do not have a will. Streamlining will writing by introducing electronic wills might encourage more people to complete this important estate planning task.

However, there are potential drawbacks too, such as the risk of technical issues and data breaches compromising the integrity of e-wills.

Law Commission recommendation

Electronic wills should be expressly permitted, provided they meet the existing “formality requirements” that make a paper will valid.

The Law Commission has also proposed additional requirements to safeguard against events such as fraud and undue influence.

2. Reduce the age at which a person can make a will from 18 to 16

Under the current legislation, a person must be at least 18 years old to make a will in England and Wales.

This means that if a child dies before they reach 18, their estate is usually distributed according to the intestacy rules – these dictate how a person’s assets are distributed if they die without a will.

Where this occurs, a young person’s estate may not be passed on in line with their wishes.

On the other hand, reducing the minimum legal age for creating a will could:

• Protect vulnerable young people – If a young person has a substantial estate, allowing them to make a will could give them control over how their assets and personal belongings are distributed. This may be especially important for terminally ill minors or those who are estranged from their parents.
• Reflect modern realities – Many under-18s have significant responsibilities and assets, such as bank accounts and digital assets. Allowing 16-year-olds to create a will could bring the law in line with the legal and financial responsibilities many young people face.
• Enhance consistency in the law – At 16, an individual has the legal right to make significant decisions, such as whether to get married or give medical consent. Moreover, in Scotland, the minimum legal age to write a will is 12 (provided the individual has the mental capacity to do so). As such, this change could align will writing laws in England and Wales with other legal capacities and jurisdictions.

However, concerns remain about the risk of undue influence and whether a 16-year-old may have the maturity to make well-considered decisions about the distribution of their estate.

Law Commission recommendation

The minimum age at which a person can make a will should be reduced from 18 to 16 years.

The court should also have the power to authorise a child under 16 to make a will.

3. Abolish automatic revocation of wills on marriage or civil partnership

Currently, a will is automatically revoked if a person marries or enters a civil partnership – unless the existing document contains specific instruction for this not to happen.

So, if you fail to make a new will under these circumstances, your estate will likely be distributed in line with the rules of intestacy.

Moreover, some individuals may exploit this rule by entering into “predatory marriages” for inheritance purposes.

The proposed change could:

• Remove the financial incentive for predatory marriages – Reducing the risk of financial abuse for vulnerable individuals.
• Avoid unintended consequences – Many people are unaware of this rule. As a result, their estates may be passed on in ways they would not have chosen at the time of their death.

However, these benefits are reliant on effective public education about the proposed changes.

Law Commission recommendation

The final report recommends that this rule be abolished.

This would mean that an existing will remains valid after a marriage or civil partnership, unless explicitly revoked or updated.

4. Increase the power of the courts

The Law Commission’s report proposes several important changes that could affect the role of the courts in deciding issues relating to wills.

Deciding whether a will is valid or not

Under the current law, a will is deemed invalid if it does not meet strict legal requirements.

The report recommends that the courts be granted the power to recognise a will as valid if the person’s intentions are clear.

Reforming the test for testamentary capacity

You must have the mental ability and legal capacity to make or alter a valid will. This is known as “testamentary capacity”. There are currently two tests to assess this.

The Law Commission has recommended that a single test is sufficient. It proposes that the more recent criteria, set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, should be applied to all assessments.

Strengthening protections against undue influence

It can be difficult to prove that a will has been created due to the influence of others. The burden of proof is high, and it lies with the person who is disputing the will. Moreover, undue influence often occurs behind closed doors.

Under the Law Commission’s proposed change, the court would have increased powers to identify and quash such behaviour. The report also recommends that the burden of proof should move to the person seeking to enforce the will.

Get in touch

If you need to create or update your will, our financial planners can help you review your financial situation to give you a clear picture of your estate.

We can also advise on Inheritance Tax and help you structure your estate to maximise the wealth that is passed on to your loved ones.

While we do not write legal documents, our team works closely with solicitors who can help you craft a legally compliant will that meets your specific needs.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning or will writing.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 12/06/25

Read our brand-new guide filled with key information, tips and insights to keep you safe from financial fraud

You may have seen the recent headlines about Marks & Spencer (M&S) and the significant cyberattacks the retailer has been a victim of, causing immense disruption to its online operations and costing an estimated £300 million in profits.

In this case, scammers have stolen key customer information, which the BBC reported could include names, email addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth, and are using this data to scam people through a process called “social engineering”. This involves them pretending to be an authority, such as your bank or the police, and using the small amount of information they have illegally obtained to trick you into giving away more of your personal details, or even steal money from you.

Even if you are not an M&S customer, the story may have left you feeling concerned about being contacted by fraudsters and scammed yourself.

When it comes to financial fraud, knowledge is power. That’s why we’ve produced a brand-new guide, featuring everything you need to know about scams and how to avoid them.

The guide contains all kinds of useful insights into scams, including:

• The cost and impact of scams on victims
• 10 common scams and how to spot them
• How to spot a cloned firm, and five signs of a pension scam
• Why people fall for scams, and how you can prevent yourself from being a victim
• Who to turn to if you’re worried about scams.

To read more about scams and staying safe, download your copy by clicking below.

Download the guide here.

If you’d like to speak to us about keeping your wealth safe and secure from fraud, please get in touch today.

When a 1920s ad referred to compound interest as “the eighth wonder of the world”, the quote was left unattributed. But that didn’t stop it from becoming synonymous with the celebrated physicist, Albert Einstein.

The link was likely intended to lend credibility to a statement that at first glance seems bold. And yet, compounding could be key to the success of your long-term financial plans.

As Einstein did or didn’t say, “He who understands it, earns it, he who doesn’t, pays it.” Whoever did say this, knew what they were talking about.

The compounding effect – essentially growth on growth that snowballs over time – can have an enormous impact on your finances. It can significantly increase the size of your savings and investments in the long term but, if not carefully managed and understood, it can also work against you.

This handy guide clearly explains how compounding works, and provides examples of how it might boost or harm your financial circumstances.

Download your copy here: “The compounding effect: How it could boost or harm your finances” to find out why compounding may be an essential part of your long-term financial plan.

Please get in touch if you’d like to speak to one of our team about how we could work with you.

Please note: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate cashflow planning.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts. 

Financial planning is all about helping you to reach your life goals. Ultimately, the objective is for your wealth to allow you to achieve all the things you want to do now and in the future.

That might be as simple as being able to relax and enjoy a comfortable retirement or helping your children through education or onto the property ladder. Alternatively, you may want to start a business, retire abroad, or leave a legacy to causes you care about.

When making a financial plan, you could be looking several decades ahead. During that time, a variety of unknowns could crop up, altering your ability to meet your goals.

Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a crystal ball. However, when it comes to your finances, cashflow planning could help you visualise how your wealth may fluctuate as you progress through life, and reveal answers to a variety of “what if” questions.

Find out more in this insightful guide, which covers:

• How cashflow planning works
• How cashflow planning could ease your financial concerns
• Examples of when a cashflow model might help you forecast your financial future
• The advantages and disadvantages of using a cashflow model as part of your financial plan.

Download your copy here: ‘How financial planning could help you answer essential “what if?” questions’ to find out how cashflow planning could help you answer questions, ease worries, and give you confidence in the future.

Please get in touch if you’d like to speak to one of our team about how we could work with you. 

Please note: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate cashflow planning.

This month, we’re delighted to share the details of two exciting events.

First up, the Blue Wealth team has been busy planning a brand-new summer social, and we’d love you to join us.

Also, we’re proud to announce that Adrian Thorley will be taking part in a triathlon this month. He’ll be raising funds for our charity partner, Community for Purpose, and would love your support.

Keep reading to find out more.

Join us on a summer boat trip this July

We love meeting up with our clients both in and outside the office. There are some staples in the Blue Wealth calendar, such as the annual golf day, but we also enjoy coming up with new ideas.

So, this summer, we’ve planned our first summer boat trip from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday 3 July.

The evening will begin at Princes Wharf, where we’ll board The Matthew, Bristol’s historic floating harbour.

The ship is a fabulous and faithful reconstruction of the vessel used by explorer John Cabot when he sailed from Bristol and discovered Newfoundland in 1497.

Once everyone’s aboard, we’ll set off on a gentle one-hour trip around Bristol harbour, during which you can catch up with the team over a drink or two.

After docking, there will be another hour to relax and chat, with food provided by The Jolly Hog.

It’s going to be a fabulous evening, and we’d love to see you there.

If you’d like to book your place or if you have any questions about this event, please email your adviser.

Adrian is taking part in a triathlon to raise funds for our charity partner

When he’s not busy supporting clients at Blue Wealth, our financial planner, Adrian Thorley, loves keeping fit.

Over the past few months, he’s been training hard for the First Tri Lydney Olympic triathlon, which will take place on Sunday 27 April in the Forest of Dean.

This challenging race includes a 750-metre swim, a 43-kilometre cycle, and finally, a 10-kilometre run.

What’s more, this is just the first of a series of sporting events Adrian will be taking part in this summer – watch this space for more updates!

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with the boat trip or supporting Adrian in his charity triathlon, we’d love to hear from you.

And as always, if you have any questions about Blue Wealth and how we can support you with all your financial planning needs, please get in touch.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Do you consider yourself wealthy? How about the man next door, or the woman over the road?

While we might see a neighbour with a fancy car and assume they’re rich, we don’t know anything about their underlying circumstances. It can be very easy to jump to conclusions about others’ “wealth” and often compare our own financial circumstances unfavourably.

In fact, according to an HSBC report, the UK has a “wealth perception gap”, with individuals in every wealth bracket consistently underestimating their earnings compared to others.

Keep reading to find out more.

High earners may not consider themselves wealthy as they compare themselves to others

In the report, ‘Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025’, findings reveal that the majority of those earning £100,000 a year don’t consider themselves affluent. The threshold for “wealthy” is actually perceived to be an annual salary of £213,000.

For comparison, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), this is more than six times the national average salary.

So, why is there such a big discrepancy between what we earn and what we consider to be wealthy? According to the report, the answer could be psychological. Key findings include that:

• It’s very common for us to compare our finances unfavourably to those of others.
• We can confuse big spending with affluence, not digging deeper into the fact these “wealthy” people may have got into debt to fund purchases.
• People often start valuing non-material possessions when they realise material things didn’t buy them happiness.

Perceptions of wealth can become distorted over time, with higher earners often spending more on clothes, travel, homeware, and organic food than their average-earner counterparts. As these spending habits become routine, though, they are normalised. The expenditure might continue, but it’s no longer linked to a perception of affluence.

Younger generations increasingly see lifestyle and wellbeing as a symbol of wealth

The way we measure wealth today is shifting. Traditionally associated directly with income, there has been a significant move towards seeing lifestyle and wellbeing as better indicators.

This is particularly the case for younger demographics. Almost half (49%) of Gen Z view wealth in non-material terms, and a third of 18–24-year-old high earners believe that having a good work-life balance is a signifier of wealth.

Younger generations are also much more comfortable openly discussing their finances. Half of 18–24-year-olds said they like discussing money, compared with just 3% of over-55s.

Taking a leaf out of their books could help you find value outside of wealth creation, learn to openly discuss wealth and what it means to you, and shift your perceptions of what it is to be “wealthy”.

With this in mind, when do you stop wealth building and start looking at how to use your money, now and throughout retirement?

Shifting your perception from constantly amassing wealth to working out how to use it wisely can be more easily achieved by working with a financial planner.

3 ways a financial planner can help you change your perception of wealth to live a happier life

1. Introducing you to the concept of “enough”

“Enough” means something different to everyone. Realistically, you want to be able to pay your bills while funding your chosen lifestyle throughout your retirement.  A financial planner can help you devise a plan to support this and to manage your expectations.

Constantly chasing after wealth can start to become wearing, especially as you near retirement.

It’s about finding the balance between having “enough” without compromising on what you want out of life.

2. Helping you understand your position right now and looking at your aspirations for retirement

Where are you now? How do you live, and is there anything stopping you from doing the things you want to do? And when you retire, what are your plans? Travel, looking after grandchildren, moving abroad?

There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, which means there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. You could have a small pension pot and be perfectly happy staying at home and enjoying time with family.

Or, you might have an overflowing pension and still feel unfulfilled because you’re not spending enough time at home, or spending money in the “wrong” places. Once you’ve uncovered your own aspirations, you can plan accordingly.

3. Teaching you to focus on your financial goals without comparing yourself to others

As you can see from the report, wealth perception is subjective. All too often, you might find yourself looking to others’ material possessions as an indicator, comparing yourself unfavourably if you have a smaller house or older car, for example.

A financial planner will help you keep your focus on your own circumstances and goals, gently discouraging you from looking around you and instead guiding you along your own path.

Get in touch

Resolutely focusing on your own finances without getting sidetracked by what others have – or what you perceive they have – means shifting your mindset around what is “enough”.

We can help you work out what your goals are, now and in the long term, to help you understand how to achieve these aspirations.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 28/4/25

After Rachel Reeves’ impactful first Budget in autumn 2024, you might have been concerned about the announcements that would be included in her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025.

Reassuringly, the major headline from this year’s springtime fiscal event is that Reeves made few announcements that are likely to affect you and your personal finances directly. Although, it did reveal that none of the changes made in the Autumn Budget would be overturned. However, one significant change has been made to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which could affect you or your family.

The chancellor did announce that, due to global uncertainty and after the economy declined in January, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded its 2025 forecast for UK growth from 2% in October 2024 to 1% as of March 2025. She also noted the OBR’s long-term forecast, indicating that growth would increase for each year remaining in this parliament.

In addition to growth figures, the chancellor’s Statement introduced a range of measures designed to increase economic activity in the UK, as well as cost-saving initiatives, predominantly at state level, to reduce government debt.

Read on for your summary of the chancellor’s 2025 Spring Statement.

Personal tax thresholds and allowances are set to remain unchanged

Those who were concerned the chancellor would announce sweeping changes that might affect their personal finances will be breathing a sigh of relief as many worries didn’t materialise.

Personal tax

Reeves stuck to a pre-Spring Statement commitment to not increase personal taxes.

So, Income Tax thresholds and rates will remain unchanged, and thresholds are frozen until April 2028. As a result, your Income Tax liability is likely to rise in real terms.

Similarly, the rates and thresholds for paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Dividend Tax will remain the same.

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) 

Before the Spring Statement, the government was reportedly considering reducing the amount you can tax-efficiently place in a Cash ISA each tax year to £4,000 in a bid to encourage greater investment.

The good news is the ISA subscription limit will remain at the current level (£20,000) in the 2025/26 tax year. The ISA subscription limit is frozen until 2030.

The Junior ISA (JISA) allowance will remain at £9,000 in 2025/26.

However, the government did note it will continue reviewing ISA reform options to improve the balance between cash and equities to earn better returns for savers, boost the culture of retail investment, and support its growth mission.

Pensions

Last year, the government announced a new Pension Schemes Bill, which will legislate several areas of pension policy. However, further reforms weren’t announced in the Spring Statement.

The Annual Allowance will remain at £60,000 in 2025/26. Your Annual Allowance may be lower if your income exceeds certain thresholds or you have already flexibly accessed your pension.

As usual, there was also speculation that the amount you could withdraw from your pension tax-free would be reduced, but this has remained unchanged. So, when you reach the normal minimum pension age (55, rising to 57 in 2028), you may withdraw up to 25% of your pension (up to a maximum of £268,275) before paying Income Tax.

State Pension

As expected, there were no announcements relating to the State Pension or the triple lock, which guarantees the State Pension will increase every tax year by either the rate of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%, whichever is higher.

As a result, the full new State Pension will pay a weekly income of £230.25 in 2025/26.

High Income Child Benefit Charge reforms will come into place this summer

Although the chancellor did not explicitly announce the change, the Spring Statement document revealed that those who pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge will be able to do so through PAYE from summer 2025.

As it stands, those who pay the charge need to register for self-assessment to do so, even if they do not otherwise need to self-assess. But this year, the government is making it easier for families to pay the charge without needing to submit a tax return.

Inflation is forecast to meet the Bank of England’s 2% target by 2027

After reaching a 40-year high of 11.1% in October 2022, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), has gradually fallen, bringing it closer to the Bank of England’s (BoE) target of 2%.

The chancellor announced in her Statement that in the 12 months to February 2025, inflation rose by 2.8%, down from 3% in January. Now that inflation is better under control, the BoE has cut its base rate three times since the general election, bringing the rate down from 5.25% to 4.5%. These cuts mean borrowers will likely pay less while savers may see their interest payments fall.

It was then announced that, according to the OBR’s forecast, inflation will average:

• 3.2% in 2025
• 2.1% in 2026
• 2% in 2027, 2028, and 2029 – the BoE’s target rate.

The key fiscal announcements from the 2025 Spring Statement

The chancellor’s speech largely revolved around changes to government spending and investment. Some of the key measures and announcements included in the Statement were to:

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, including providing an additional £2.2 billion to the Ministry of Defence next year
• Rebalance payment levels in Universal Credit to incentivise people into work, and review the assessment for Personal Independence Payments, with the OBR stating these changes will save £4.8 billion from the welfare budget in 2029/30
• Crack down on promoters of tax avoidance schemes, as initially announced in the Autumn Budget in October 2024
• Invest £2 billion in social and affordable housing, so housebuilding reaches a 40-year high that helps put the government on track to reach its target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament
• Introduce a £3.25 billion Transformation Fund to streamline public services using technology and Artificial Intelligence, making the government “leaner and more efficient”. Additionally, government departments will reduce their administrative budgets by 15% by the end of the decade.

2024 Autumn Budget changes remain intact

In October 2024, the chancellor announced a series of tax-raising measures during the Autumn Budget, some of which could have affected your personal finances. These included:

• Inheritance Tax (IHT) will be levied on unused pension benefits from April 2027.
• Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief will be reduced from April 2026.
• CGT rates for non-property gains were raised in line with property rates with immediate effect, and Business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors’ Relief were both reduced.
• Employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) will rise from April 2025, from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold at which employers start paying NICs will also fall.
• Income Tax thresholds will remain frozen until 2028.
• The IHT nil-rate bands will remain fixed for a further two years, until 2030.
• VAT was levied on fee-paying schools, effective from 1 January 2025.
• The non-dom tax regime is set to be abolished from April 2025.
• The Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge on second home purchases rose from 3% to 5% from 31 October 2024.
• Corporation Tax is now capped at 25% for the duration of the parliament.

While many hoped the chancellor would row back on some or all of these measures, all remain intact.

Please note

All information is from the Spring Statement documents on this page.

The content of this Spring Statement summary is intended for general information purposes only. The content should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or constitute advice.

While we believe this interpretation to be correct, it cannot be guaranteed and we cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken or refrained from being taken as a result of the information contained within this summary. Please obtain professional advice before entering into or altering any new arrangement.

You’ve probably noticed that the Blue Wealth team loves sport, and we’re dedicated to supporting our local community.

So, what better way to combine the two than by sponsoring a local football team?

Keep reading to find out more.

A little bit about Torpedo AFC

Torpedo AFC is a Bristol-based senior football team (for players aged 16 and over) that was established in 1966.

The club is represented by four teams in the Bristol Downs Association Football League, with one team in each of the league’s four divisions. This is a standalone amateur league that was founded in 1905 and sits outside the traditional English football league pyramid.

The league has a unique format where all games are played on the same grounds – Clifton Down and Durdham Down (“The Downs”). We can’t wait to drop by and see the team in action!

Past successes and upcoming fixtures

The club has a long and proud history, and we’re excited to support them. Here are just a few of their many achievements to date:

• Rising through the ranks of the Bristol Downs Association Football League to achieve entry into the First Division
• Winning the Division 1 Championship in the 2015/16 season
• Winning the All Saints Cup in 2023/24.

The club’s promotion to and consistent presence in the top division of their local league shows the level of the players’ commitment and success.

If you’re keen to see Torpedo AFC in action, they play every Saturday (between September and April) on the Bristol Downs. So, when you next have a free weekend, pop by and cheer the team on. If you spot one of the Blue Wealth team on the sidelines, be sure to come and say hello.

The Blue Wealth kit

The Bristol Downs League has been uniting families, friends and the community for the last 120 years. So, when we got the chance to sponsor Torpedo AFC by providing their new kit, we were thrilled.

If you’re lucky enough to see the team play, you might spot the Blue Wealth name on the players’ shirts. As you can see from the photo – it looks great!

Our managing director, Rob Bowers said, “We are keen to support local events including amateur sport. With the Bristol Downs League venue only a 1/4 mile from the Blue Wealth office, supporting one of the teams in this grassroots football league seemed an obvious choice.”

If you’d like to find out more about the wonderfully unique Bristol Downs Football League, check out the fantastic nine-episode BBC podcast, Always at Home: Bristol’s Beautiful Game.

And as always, if you have any questions about Blue Wealth and how we can support you with all your financial planning needs, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The tax year end on 5 April is rapidly approaching , so you have just a few weeks left to make the most of your tax allowances and exemptions for 2024/25.

What’s more, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced significant tax changes for business owners in her Autumn Statement last year, many of which come into effect from 6 April.

It’s important to understand how these new rules could affect your finances so that you can plan for the new tax year and beyond.

Read on to discover three important tasks to check off your to-do list if you want to keep your personal and business finances as tax-efficient as possible.

1. Make the most of your pension Annual Allowance

If you’ve ever uttered the words, “my business is my pension”, and paying into a separate scheme is low on your list of priorities, you’re not alone. According to This is Money, just 51% of business owners pay into a pension each month.

However, relying on your business to fund your retirement might be a risky strategy.

External factors could affect both the income your company generates and how much wealth you walk away with if you sell. For example, planned changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) could mean that you incur a higher Capital Gains Tax (CGT) bill if you sell your company after 5 April (more on this later).

Alternatively, it might be difficult to access the funds you have tied up in your business when you retire.

That’s why paying into a pension and making the most of your Annual Allowance can provide valuable peace of mind.

Your Annual Allowance is the maximum amount you can contribute to your pension in a single tax year without facing an additional tax charge.

Most people can contribute up to £60,000 – the Annual Allowance for the 2024/25 tax year – or 100% of their earnings, whichever is lower.

Your Annual Allowance may be lower if your income exceeds certain thresholds or you have already flexibly accessed your pension.

Remember too that you can carry forward unused Annual Allowance from the previous three tax years. So, 5 April could be your last chance to make the most of any unused allowance from the 2021/22 tax year.

2. Prepare for changes to employer National Insurance rates

In her Autumn Budget, the chancellor announced that the rate of National Insurance (NI) you pay as an employer will increase by 1.2% from 6 April to 15%.

The threshold at which you start to pay NI will also be reduced from £9,100 to £5,000 a year from the start of the 2025/26 tax year. This threshold will remain frozen until 6 April 2028 and then increase in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) thereafter.

While the Employment Allowance will increase from £5,000 to £10,500, and become available to all businesses from 6 April, changes to the NI rates for employers could have significant cost implications for your company.

As such, you might want to consider paying any planned bonuses before the April increase.

Additionally, switching to a “salary sacrifice” scheme could help you mitigate the effect of these changes. This means reducing your employees’ cash pay in exchange for a non-cash benefit, such as pension contributions.

The main benefit of salary sacrifice is that both you and your employees are likely to pay less NI, as the rate is calculated based on employees’ earnings. What’s more, your staff could see their take-home pay increase.

So, implementing such a scheme may make financial sense. There could be non-financial benefits too, such as boosting employee morale and helping you attract and retain talent.

3. Dispose of personal and business assets strategically

In the build up to the Autumn Budget, there was widespread speculation that CGT rates would be brought in line with Income Tax rates.

While the chancellor did not go quite this far, she did increase some CGT rates, which took effect immediately (from 30 October 2024).

CGT rose from 10% to 18% for basic-rate taxpayers, and from 20% to 24% for higher-rate taxpayers. There are no longer separate rates for residential property disposals.

Thankfully, the Annual Exempt Amount – which is the amount of profit you can make when you sell chargeable assets before CGT becomes payable – remains unchanged. It stands at £3,000 for the 2024/25 tax year.

So, if you’re planning to sell any of your assets, it might be worth doing so strategically. For example, you could spread sales over several tax years to avoid exceeding your Annual Exempt Amount. Alternatively, you might want to transfer assets to your spouse or civil partner to make use of their Annual Exempt Amount.

As mentioned previously, the chancellor also announced changes to BADR in her Budget.

If you’re eligible for BADR – which allows you to pay less CGT when you dispose of all or part of your business – the rate of CGT will rise from 10% to 14% from 6 April 2025, and to 18% from 6 April 2026.

As such, if you’re considering selling your business or shares in a business, you may want to do so before the new rates take effect.

Get in touch

Professional financial advice could play a key role in helping you manage your business and personal finances tax-efficiently.

If you’d like help preparing for the tax year end or planning for the year ahead, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pension Regulator.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group 17/03/25