Mehak Bambrah- Financial Planner

16/10/2026

🖤 Black History Month | Every woman deserves financial independence.

Financial independence can be influenced by many factors, from earnings and career opportunities to caring responsibilities and access to financial support.

For Black women, gender and racial inequalities can create additional challenges when it comes to accumulating wealth.

The ONS's analysis of individual wealth between 2018 and 2020 found that women held less wealth than men, even after accounting for a range of other characteristics. The research also identified wealth disadvantages affecting several ethnic minority groups.

These inequalities matter because financial independence influences choices throughout life, from career decisions and homeownership to retirement and family security.

This Black History Month, we're celebrating the achievements of Black women while recognising the importance of creating a financial services industry that understands and responds to different lived experiences.

Every woman deserves to feel informed, represented and confident about her financial future.

13/10/2026

WEEK WATCH: Rising mortgage rates weigh on property demand

Rising mortgage rates are continuing to put downward pressure on housing demand, slowing market activity and price growth.

Several lenders have reported softer levels of activity in recent months, blaming higher borrowing costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Expectations of further interest rate rises have also dampened confidence for house buyers and movers. Recent Bank of England data shows net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 54,900 in August, the lowest level since December 2023.*

Mortgage brokers are reminding borrowers that they can often secure a new mortgage deal up to six months before their fixed rate period ends. Locking in a rate early may provide protection if borrowing costs rise further, while many lenders still allow borrowers to switch to a cheaper deal if rates fall before completion.

*Source: Bank of England, Money and Credit, August 2026 – September 2026

Read Week Watch here:

WeekWatch - 12/10/2026

09/10/2026

With the full new State Pension projected to rise to around £250.70 per week from April 2027, the headlines may sound encouraging.

But there's an important distinction between the advertised full rate and the amount you'll personally be entitled to receive.

For women who have taken career breaks, worked part-time or spent time caring for children or family members, it's particularly important to check their National Insurance record.

Some periods of caring may qualify for National Insurance credits, while other gaps could affect State Pension entitlement.
Understanding your position early gives you time to investigate missing years, check whether you're entitled to credits and consider whether voluntary contributions could be worthwhile.

Your State Pension forecast is worth checking, whatever stage of your career you're at.
You can check yours at GOV.UK.

06/10/2026

WEEK WATCH: Last month's highlights
• Oil prices jumped at the start of September and stayed high for the rest of the month. A barrel of Brent Crude oil finished the month above $100.
• Government bonds came under sustained pressure, with many long-term bond yields reaching multi-decade highs.
• Higher borrowing costs are causing headaches for central banks and governments alike. The Federal Reserve in the US and European Central Bank both increased interest rates, while the Bank of England kept rates level for now.

Read more here:
https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/weekwatch-05-10-2026

WeekWatch - 05/10/2026

02/10/2026

Pensions, property and public finances: the Budget picture so far

With the Autumn Budget approaching, here are the main points:

• Pensions and care
The government has pledged to replace the State Pension triple lock with a double lock from 2030. Annual increases would reflect inflation or 2.5%, with earnings growth removed. The change would help fund proposed free social care services in England.

• Property
The proposed ‘Your First Home’ scheme would offer eligible first-time buyers 20% government-backed equity loans, with a minimum 5% deposit.

• Public finances
Higher borrowing costs and inflation are narrowing the Chancellor’s options. Tax rises remain possible, although individual Budget measures are still uncertain.

• Growth
The OECD has revised its UK growth forecast for 2026 upwards to 1.1%.

The practical message? Keep informed and avoid changing your financial plans solely in response to rumours.

👉 Learn more here: https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/autumn-budget-2026-with-a-month-to-go-what-lies-ahead

Autumn Budget 2026 – with a month to go, what lies ahead?

30/09/2026

Family plans often depend on life continuing as expected: mortgage payments being met, children being supported and long-term goals remaining within reach.

An illness, accident or death can change that picture very quickly.

Protection planning means considering the financial impact of difficult events before they happen. This could include reviewing existing cover, identifying possible gaps and thinking carefully about the people and commitments that would need support.

It may not be the easiest part of financial planning to discuss, but it can be one of the most important for the people you love.

28/09/2026

ISA subscriptions soar in 2024/25 tax year 📈

Subscriptions into tax-efficient individual savings accounts (ISAs) reached record high levels in the 2024/25 tax year, according to HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) latest figures.

HMRC said the growth was largely driven by an increase in stocks and shares ISA subscriptions.

There were subscriptions into 16.8 million adult ISAs in 2024/25, compared to 15 million in the previous tax year. Of these accounts, 10.71 million were cash ISAs (up from 9.94 million in 2023/24), 4.89 million were stocks and shares ISAs (up from 4.09 million in 2023/24), and 1.14 million were lifetime ISAs (up from 960,000 in 2023/24). A small number were innovative finance ISAs.

More than £135 billion was saved or invested in adult ISAs in the 2024/25 tax year, an increase of £32.7 billion compared to 2023/24.

This includes £95.6 billion in cash ISAs and £37.2 billion in stocks and shares ISAs.

Sources: HMRC, Annual savings statistics – September 2026

24/09/2026

What do you want retirement to look like? ☀️
More time with family? The freedom to travel? A change of pace, a new project or simply greater control over your days?

Retirement planning becomes far more meaningful when it starts with the life you want, rather than looking at a pension figure in isolation.

Once that picture is clearer, you can begin to explore what level of income may be needed, how different assets could work together and whether your current plans remain on course.

The first question may not be, “How much have I saved?”

Sometimes, it is, “What am I saving for?”

22/09/2026

Higher numbers of pensioners are likely to be pulled into the income tax net when the state pension rises in April next year.

Last week it was revealed that national average wages rose by 3.9% in the three months from May to July 2026. UK state pensions will now rise by this amount in April 2027.

This is because of the state pension 'triple lock'. The triple lock guarantees that the state pension will rise each year by the highest of inflation or average earnings, (both as recorded in September each year) or 2.5%.

As inflation was recorded at 3.1% this month, it means the state pension will now rise by the average earnings figure of 3.9% next April. This will be close to a £490 uplift on the full annual state pension, which is currently worth around £12,540 (based on a state pension of £241.30 per week).

But it means many pensioners whose only income source is the state pension will become liable to pay income tax.

Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves had previously stated that she wanted to keep the state pension free from income tax. This may increase pressure on the current Chancellor, John Healey, to raise the personal allowance for pensioners. The personal allowance is currently £12,570. This is the amount of income you can earn in a tax year before paying income tax.

Read more in this week's Week Watch:
https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/weekwatch-21-09-2026.html

Source: Office for National Statistics. Average weekly earnings in Great Britain - September 2026

18/09/2026

The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to keep interest rates at 3.75% despite rising inflationary pressures.

This decision was widely expected by economists and the vote wasn’t unanimous – three members of the nine-member committee voted to raise the base rate to 4%

The BoE acknowledged the disruption to energy caused by the Iran conflict, and its impact on fuel costs and utility bills. However, it said that so far it had seen little evidence of significant knock-on effects on prices and wages.

Andrew Bailey, BoE Governor, said: “Today, we’ve held Bank Rate at 3.75%. So far, higher global energy costs have had a limited effect on price and wage setting in the UK. But the longer this volatility persists, the bigger the impact it will have on inflation, and the more likely it is we will need to raise Bank Rate to ensure that inflation falls back to our 2% target.”