Topic
Tax and wrappers · Analysis
28 October 2026 is Budget day, and 11 tax changes for investors are already law before the Chancellor speaks. They run from higher dividend tax since April 2026 to a £12,000 cash ISA limit for under-65s from April 2027.
Index funds & ETFs · Explainer
An index fund buys the holdings in a market index so its return follows that index, minus costs. Before buying, compare the total cost, how closely it has tracked, how it copies the index, the unit class and the tax wrapper.
Index funds & ETFs · Guide
In the 2026 to 2027 tax year up to £9,000 can go into a child's Junior ISAs, and the money belongs to the child, who can take control at 16 and withdraw it at 18. A pension, a bare trust or a parent's own ISA put the money in different hands at different ages.
Tax and wrappers · Guide
Tax-efficient investing in the UK usually runs in a familiar order: employer pension money, a cash buffer, ISAs, more pension, then a general investment account using its allowances. Here are the 2026 to 2027 limits and what changes on 6 April 2027.
REITs · Explainer
A UK REIT is a listed property company that pays no UK tax on its rental profits and gains as long as it pays out 90% of those profits. You get property income without being a landlord, but the share price can sit well below the value of the buildings.
Digital assets · Explainer
Crypto marketing in the UK has carried risk warnings, a 24-hour cooling-off period and an incentives ban since October 2023, and retail investors have been able to buy crypto ETNs since October 2025. A full FCA regime starts on 25 October 2027; until then most crypto activity has no FSCS or ombudsman protection.
Gold · Guide
UK investors can own gold as coins or bars, as vaulted metal, through exchange-traded commodities or through mining shares and funds. The routes differ on cost, VAT, capital gains tax, ISA and SIPP eligibility and who you depend on if something fails.
UK shares · Guide
To invest in shares in the UK you open an account with an FCA-authorised firm, choose an ISA, SIPP or general account, and buy on a stock exchange. Costs are dealing and account charges, currency conversion on overseas shares and 0.5% stamp duty reserve tax on most UK shares.
Foundations · Guide
Start investing in the right order: clear expensive debt, build a cash buffer, use the tax wrappers, then invest money you can leave for five years or more in a low-cost spread of holdings. Here are the 20 things to know first, with the 2026 to 2027 figures.
