Downton and Ali Associates
info@downtonandali.co.uk
020 3021 0075 or 020 3135 0246
For the majority of homeowners, the end of a fixed-rate mortgage deal is already a moment that requires careful financial planning. But when global events begin to create uncertainty in financial markets, the question of when and how to remortgage can feel even more...
Global events can often feel distant and disconnected from everyday financial decisions, but the reality is that the two are closely linked. The recent escalation of tension in the Middle East has raised fresh questions in financial markets about inflation, energy...
A glance at the news over the last 12 months or so would suggest that mortgage rates are a very hot topic indeed. For the last 14 years, mortgage rates - the interest rate charged on the money borrowed to purchase a property - have tended to be low, because interest...
According to a recent report from Skipton Building Society, the first step onto the property ladder is the hardest. There’s no question that it can all seem very daunting for first-time buyers who want to purchase their first home. For those saving hard to get a...
We all like to think we’ve got life under control. A stable job, a roof over our head, savings for the future — or at least a plan to get there. But then something happens. A job loss. A health diagnosis. A bereavement. A family change. A decision you didn’t expect to...
When people think about professional financial advice, they often picture help with tax planning, pensions, investments or mortgages. While these are all important areas, they only scratch the surface of what a financial adviser really does. A helpful way to think...
Buying your first home has become increasingly challenging. Deposits are harder to save for, borrowing power hasn’t always kept pace with property prices and affordability rules can feel restrictive. The FCA review recognises this and is exploring rule changes in...
When you’re early in your career, tax can feel like one of those topics everyone expects you to understand but no one explains. Yet getting to grips with the basics now can make a huge difference to your take-home pay, your savings, and your long-term financial...
From 6 April 2026, dividend tax rates will increase for basic and higher-rate taxpayers. While the dividend allowance remains at £500 per tax year, the tax charged above this threshold will rise. What’s changing? Current dividend tax rates: • Basic rate: 8.75% •...
The 40% tax band: What happens when your income grows As your career develops, it’s common to move from the basic-rate tax band into the higher-rate band, where income between £50,271 and £125,140 is taxed at 40%. This doesn’t mean all your income is taxed at...