Essential Wealth Management

25/08/2026

🎉 Good news for Premium Bond holders!

The Premium Bonds prize fund rate is increasing from 3.80% to 4.35% from 1st September, with the odds of winning a prize improving from 22,000 to 1 to 21,000 to 1.

Find out what the changes mean for Premium Bond savers and the latest rate increases across other NS&I products in our news article:

👉 https://www.essential-wealth.co.uk/news/interest-rate-rises-for-premium-bonds-and-other-variable-rate-ns-and-i-products-19th-august-2026

19/08/2026

🛑 Inflation up 🛑

Inflation (Consumer Prices Index) was 2.9% in July 2026, up from 2.6% in June 2026.

Inflation is the rate at which the prices of goods and services bought by households go up or down.

Commenting on today’s inflation figures, ONS Deputy Director for Prices Mike Hardie said:

“Inflation rose in July, driven by a sharp increase in gas prices following this month’s change to the energy price cap. This was the largest rise in gas prices for almost four years.

“Other upward pressures included furniture prices falling by less than usual for this time of year, and also a smaller fall for clothing prices due to reduced discounting.

“The prices of raw materials and goods leaving factories slowed again, driven by a drop in the prices of crude oil and refined petroleum respectively.”

Read the full article ➡ https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/july2026

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18/08/2026

🐶Good news for pet owners🐶

Millions of pet owners could benefit from greater price transparency, stronger consumer protections and improved access to redress under what the Government describes as the most significant overhaul of veterinary regulation in six decades.

Read the full news item here: https://www.essential-wealth.co.uk/news-and-info

30/07/2026

📢 UK Interest rate decision

The Bank of England has left the base rate unchanged at 3.75% as policymakers continue to balance inflation risks against a slowing economy while ongoing geopolitical tensions and higher oil and gas prices continue to create uncertainty.

Inflation eased to 2.6% in June but remains above the 2% target and is expected to rise again later this year as higher energy costs feed through to the economy.

28/07/2026

HMRC is modernising Benefits in Kind reporting from April 2027. Employers will need to report benefits such as company cars, medical insurance and fuel benefits, with tax and Class 1A NIC calculated in real time through payroll.

Read our latest update on what this means for employers and employees and how to prepare: 👇
https://www.essential-wealth.co.uk/news/mandatory-payrolling-of-benefits-in-kind-from-april-2027-hmrc-update-22nd-july-2026

24/07/2026

We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Money Age Awards taking place in October. It's an honour to be recognised.

24/07/2026

15/07/2026

Wishing England the very best tonight – come on Three Lions! ⚽

18/06/2026

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% in a widely anticipated ‘no change’ statement.

This comes amid lower than expected inflation announced yesterday and falling oil prices with the US and Iran signing an interim deal extending their ceasefire, pushing oil prices lower and renewing optimism that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would increase.

Bank governor Andrew Bailey says recent drops in oil prices are "encouraging" but high energy prices during the US-Israel war with Iran have still left “inflationary pressure in the pipeline”.

17/06/2026

📊UK inflation remained unchanged at 2.8% in May, coming in lower than expected. Falling food prices helped balance rising transport costs.

Read the full report here 👇
https://www.essential-wealth.co.uk/news/may-inflation-numbers-17th-june-2026