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Following the conviction of funeral director Robert Bush, the government has proposed developing a statutory regulatory scheme to govern the funeral industry. Bush was jailed for 20 years after admitting 67 offences, including 30 charges of preventing a lawful and decent burial and theft from 12 charities. Hundreds of families were affected, and in sentencing

The government’s recent consultation, ‘A fairer end to relationships,’ proposes changing inheritance rules to make provision for unmarried couples in the event that one of them dies. At present, if someone fails to make a Will, a cohabiting partner has no automatic right to inherit anything. This means they may have to move out of

The government has launched a consultation with a view to giving unmarried couples the right to inherit if one of them dies without a Will. The proposed changes aim to give cohabiting partners similar rights to spouses or civil partners, who are able to inherit under the Rules of Intestacy. What are the current rules

On 6 April 2026, the government’s changes to the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) took effect. Initial plans were altered in favour of beneficiaries, with the Inheritance Tax (IHT)-free allowance increased from an initially planned £1 million to £2.5 million. Any unused IHT-free allowance is also now capable of transfer between

Older homeowners are increasingly being targeted by firms hoping to profit by selling so-called ‘asset protection trusts’, costing thousands of pounds. Not only are the trusts ineffective, but they can also leave homeowners with complex legal difficulties when they find they no longer own their properties. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been warning about

With the autumn budget due on 26 November 2025, the continuing increase in Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability for estates is challenging affected individuals to look at different ways of structuring their finances for the future. As the government continues to raise more funds by way of IHT, The Times and brokers and financial advisers are

When money in a bank or building society is unclaimed for 15 years, the organisation can transfer the assets to the Dormant Assets Scheme (the Scheme).  This is a government and financial industry initiative that allows unclaimed funds to be used for social and environmental purposes where the owner cannot be contacted.  The Scheme has

New pensions pot consolidator could provide £1,000 pension boost The Department of Work and Pensions has announced that the government intends to reform pensions management, combining small pension pots to help working people. It has been estimated that the move will boost retirement savings for the average worker by around £1,000. The changes are part