After three years of three Conservative prime ministers from 2022 to 2024, the election of the first Labour PM in 14 years was intended to mark a decisive turn towards stability and consistency. Not quite two years later Keir Starner’s resignation as Prime Minister, and the apparent elevation of Andy Burnham, make that firm course decidedly less certain. The leader in waiting has just a few weeks to map out his economic and social plans and start the work of gaining the confidence of the country and the global financial markets.
As England faltered at the penultimate stage of the World Cup, supporters and pundits alike are reflecting on the twists and turns that have defined the tournament so far. Strong favourites have faltered, underdogs have exceeded expectations, and a single moment has often proved the difference between success and disappointment. While football can deliver dramatic results that few see coming, experience and quality often come to the fore as the competition reaches its decisive stages.
Financial markets can be similarly unpredictable. Short-term surprises and standout performers regularly capture the headlines, but lasting success is rarely built on chasing the latest winner. In our feature article for this edition, we take a sideways look at what investors might learn from the beautiful game, and why discipline, patience and a long-term strategy remain the keys to achieving your goals.
One significant legacy of the Starmer government will be the Pension Schemes Act 2026. Its focus is on pension fund management, with an intention to significantly grow workplace pension funds by forcing smaller schemes not meeting targets to merge, improving retirement incomes for individuals. The potential impact of the act is being compared to the introduction of pension flexibility 11 years ago.
Our other stories in this edition include:
- Inflation makes a stealthy return
- Investment scams on the rise
- Charitable donations for IHT planning
