Albion House Wealth Management Ltd

29/10/2026

2026 Autumn Budget: What business owners need to know

The 2026 Autumn Budget introduces a range of measures aimed at supporting small businesses, high street retailers and entrepreneurs. From April 2027, more retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will qualify for 100% business rates relief, with additional support for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.

Entrepreneurs will benefit from an increased £3,000 trading allowance, new support for young and female founders, and a proposed 10% Capital Gains Tax rate on qualifying gains. However, changes to business asset disposal relief, capital allowances and VAT obligations mean some businesses may face higher tax bills or additional compliance requirements.

Business owners should review these changes to understand how they may affect their tax position, investment plans and future growth.

Read article in full here: ⬇️
https://ow.ly/5fBl5102bq4

26/10/2026

Pensions and IHT: The ‘Double Tax’ Trap

From April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included in an individual’s estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. This could mean some beneficiaries face a ‘double tax’, with IHT potentially charged at 40%, followed by income tax on inherited pension withdrawals where the deceased died aged 75 or over.

The changes may also affect larger estates, as including pensions in the estate could reduce or eliminate the Residence Nil-Rate Band. Although pensions inherited by a spouse or civil partner remain exempt from IHT on first death, any unspent funds may form part of the surviving partner’s estate on their death.

The article explores several financial planning opportunities to help manage potential IHT liabilities, including:

Lifetime gifting: Making gifts during your lifetime to reduce the value of your estate, taking account of the seven-year rule and available exemptions.

Gifting from surplus income: Making regular gifts from income, where the relevant exemption conditions are met.

Charitable giving: Leaving at least 10% of your estate to charity may reduce the IHT rate on the taxable estate from 40% to 36%.

Annuity options: Using pension savings to secure a guaranteed retirement income, potentially reducing pension assets exposed to IHT.

Whole of life assurance: Providing funds to help beneficiaries meet an IHT liability, with policies written in trust potentially keeping the payout outside the estate.

Key takeaway: The forthcoming pension and IHT changes make it important to review retirement, estate and legacy plans. Working with a financial adviser can help individuals understand the potential impact on their beneficiaries and explore suitable planning options based on their personal circumstances.

Read the full artlicle: Pensions and IHT: The ‘Double Tax’ Trap - published by St. James’s Place on 9 October 2026.

➡️https://ow.ly/ilEt5100rHu

For years, pensions have offered a valuable tax advantage alongside retirement income, enabling people to pass on wealth to the next generation. But from April 2027, changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules could mean some families face a significantly larger tax bill than they expected.

23/10/2026

Could Your Community Group Benefit from a £100–£750 Grant?

You may have heard that The Vernon Building Society is opening a new community branch in the heart of Uppermill Village in mid-November! You may even have spotted Vernon Bear out and about in the community, spreading the word about their exciting arrival. 💚🐻

The new branch will bring together The Vernon Building Society, Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, and Albion House Wealth Management, creating a legal and financial hub under one roof.

⭐ Community Stars Funding Programme

On behalf of The Vernon, we’re delighted to share news of their Community Stars funding programme!

With grants of £100 to £750 available to support 10 local community organisations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, this is a fantastic opportunity for local groups to secure funding to support the valuable work they do in our communities.

📅 Applications close on Friday 30 October, so don’t miss out! Please share this post with any local community groups or organisations that could be eligible to apply.

👉 Find out more and apply here:
https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/J_MjC2k8QIpyWn9UQh3ws5anBu?domain=url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/

A big welcome to The Vernon as they get ready to become part of the Uppermill community! 💚

23/10/2026

The Missing Years: Caring, Career Pauses and Long-Term Planning

Women are more likely than men to take a career break, often due to childcare or caring responsibilities. While these breaks can be positive and necessary, they can also have a lasting impact on earnings, pension contributions, retirement savings and confidence when returning to work.

St. James’s Place research highlights that 56% of women have taken a career break, compared with 38% of men. Almost one in five women (19%) reported feeling less financially secure as a result.

The article highlights the importance of long-term financial planning and ongoing financial advice in helping women prepare for career breaks, manage gaps in pension contributions and rebuild savings when returning to work. Having a flexible financial plan can help women make informed decisions, maintain financial confidence and protect their long-term financial wellbeing.

Key takeaway: Career breaks are a normal part of life, not a setback to financial success. With the right planning and advice, women can better navigate changing circumstances and work towards greater financial security in retirement.

Read the full artlcle: The Missing Years: Caring, Career Pauses and Long-Term Planning - published by St. James’s Place on 6 October 2026.

➡️https://ow.ly/Ysyt5100rE9

Figures show women are substantially more likely than men to take a career break during their working life.1 Whether it’s maternity leave, caring for young children, or looking after elderly family members, the responsibilities that lead to time out of paid work are more likely to impact women.

07/10/2026

Arise, Sir Kevin! 🎖️💙

What a truly wonderful, heartwarming moment to see today - Sir Kevin Sinfield officially knighted by Prince William at Windsor Castle 🙌

For his incredible services to the MND community, for raising over £13 million, and for showing us all what real grit, friendship, and generosity truly look like - nobody deserves this honour more 💛

From rugby league legend to the man who ran mile after mile after mile in honour of his dearest friend Rob Burrow - you make us all so incredibly proud.

This video shows him in motion - the effort, the heart, the determination that carried him all the way to that castle today 🏰✨

Well done, Sir Kev — the North is right behind you, always 🫶.

The journey to Sir Kevin.

✨ 2014 — MBE
For services to Rugby League

✨ 2021 — OBE
For services to Rugby League & charitable fundraising

✨ 2024 — CBE
For services to MND awareness (jointly with Rob Burrow)

✨ 2026 — KBE — KNIGHTED! ⭐
Officially Sir Kevin Sinfield — invested by Prince William at Windsor Castle

From the pitch to the roads to the castle - every single honour earned with heart, grit and kindness 💛

02/10/2026

🏆 And that’s a wrap on the 2026 Oldham Business Awards! 🏆

What a brilliant evening celebrating the incredible businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals who make such a difference across Oldham’s business community. ✨

From inspiring new businesses and young entrepreneurs to established organisations making a real impact, tonight was all about recognising the people and businesses behind Oldham’s success.

A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists - your hard work, ambition and contribution to the borough deserve to be celebrated! 👏

🏆 Tonight’s winners:
Supporting Young People - First Choice Homes Oldham
Micro Business of the year- The Dawn Torrington Award - Eternal Health
Business of the Year 5m+ - First Choice Homes
Business of the Year £1m-£5m - B S Entwistle Electrical Contractors Ltd
Business of the Year under £1m - Sports Physio UK - Oldham
Business Person of the Year - Melvyn Pryce - Heyside Group
Workforce Health Wellbeing – First Choice Homes
Start up business of the year – Emplas Commercial North Ltd
Young Entrepreneur - lona Ackerman of Eternal Health
Heart of the High Street - Zutti Co
Special Recognition - Lee Wakeham - HMPasties Ltd
Community Impact - Fullcircle nw CIC
Sustainable Innovation - Recycling PVC Limited

Congratulations once again to everyone recognised tonight! 🥂🏆

02/10/2026

✨ TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! ✨

The venue at The Loom is shaping up rather nicely and we simply cannot wait to welcome everyone this evening! 🥂✨

It is a huge privilege for Albion House Wealth Management to be one of the Headline Sponsors of the Oldham Business Awards 2026 and we want to take this moment to say a heartfelt thank you to the steering group for all their incredible hard work in bringing this wonderful event to fruition at the OBA's beautiful new home, The Loom.

To every single finalist: it may sound cliché, but being shortlisted is a huge accolade in itself. You should be so proud of what you’ve achieved. Tonight is YOUR night to shine ✨

Here’s to celebrating, cheering, and making memories together.

We look forward to seeing you all later - let’s make it a truly fantastic evening! 🎉✨

From Richard Eastwood and all the team at Albion House Wealth Management
Proud Headline Sponsor • Oldham Business Awards 2026

29/09/2026

The new retirement dilemma: preserve or spend your pension?

From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds are expected to be included when calculating the value of an estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes.

This could mean that some people need to revisit how they plan to use their pension and other assets in retirement - particularly if they had intended to leave unused pension savings to family.

For some, this may mean considering whether to draw from their pension earlier, while others may continue to use other savings first. The appropriate approach will depend on individual circumstances, including income needs, tax position, estate planning objectives and the needs of beneficiaries.

There are also other options that may be relevant, including gifting, trusts and whole-of-life insurance, although these come with their own rules and considerations.

The key message is don’t make rushed decisions. The changes could be a useful prompt to review your retirement income and estate planning arrangements and consider whether they still reflect your wishes.

Read the full article: https://ow.ly/2eMG50ZSGKG

This article is for general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and tax rules may change.

For years, many people viewed their pension as more than just a source of retirement income. It was also a tax-efficient way to pass wealth on to future generations. But changes coming into force in April 2027 could prompt many families to reconsider their retirement and estate planning.

24/09/2026

📢 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE IN MEMORY OF CLAIRE JOYCE 💛

This Saturday, colleagues, friends and families from Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and Albion House Wealth Management will come together to take on the Saddleworth 3 Peaks Challenge, walking in loving memory of our dear friend and colleague, Claire Joyce, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Claire had completed this very challenge herself, even when she thought she wouldn’t be able to do it. That makes this walk an especially fitting tribute to her memory. She showed us what courage, strength and determination really look like and now, we’ll walk in her footsteps. 💛

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice cared for Claire, and the firm has donated £4,000, which has already been sent to the charity.

We’re incredibly grateful that the challenge has already raised £950 and counting! The generosity and support have been amazing.

More than 30 people will be taking part, colleagues, friends and supporters with even a few four-legged companions joining us along the way! 🐾

All ages, all abilities, walking together, side by side, for Claire. 💛

If you would like to support us with a donation, we would be absolutely over the moon. Every penny makes a difference and will help support the incredible work of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Thank you so much for your support. 💛

For Claire. Always. 💛

🔗 https://ow.ly/bW3O50ZR1vS

23/09/2026

Director Richard Eastwood and the team at Albion House Wealth Management are delighted to welcome Darren Ditchburn, CEO of Vernon Building Society and his team to Uppermill.

We’re delighted to welcome Vernon Building Society to our High Street premises, where they will be opening a new community branch in November.

It’s fantastic to see more face-to-face financial services coming back to Uppermill High Street, giving local residents and businesses across Saddleworth and the wider Oldham area access to savings and mortgage services closer to home.

We’re looking forward to welcoming Darren and the Vernon team to Uppermill and supporting them as they become part of our local community.

Welcome to Uppermill!