
What Rachel Reeves' cut to ISA allowances will do to your savings
The proposed reform aims to encourage individuals to invest more and achieve better long-term returns, rather than solely holding cash.
While the overall £20,000 tax -free ISA allowance will not be cut, the specific limit for cash ISAs is under discussion, marking the first major alteration since 2017-18.
The move has drawn criticism, with Martin Lewis stating it could lead to more tax for ordinary savers and expressing concern that it might not effectively encourage investment.
Industry voices like AJ Bell advocate for broader reforms, such as simplifying the ISA landscape and removing stamp duty, to genuinely encourage investment rather than just cutting Cash ISA limits.
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The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Major British bank with five million customers set to be sold to high street rival after days of speculation
A MAJOR British bank with five million customers is set to be sold to a high street rival after days of speculation. Santander have agreed a deal to acquire TSB from Sabadell for a whopping £2.65billion. 2 2 The bank beat British rival Barclays which also put in a formal bid for the Sabadell-owned unit, according to sources. Santander intends to integrate TSB in the Santander UK group, meaning it would become the second largest bank in the country by personal current account balances. However, the final transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and Sabadell shareholder approval. The full transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. TSB already boasts a nationwide network of 218 branches and outlets, and a growing digital presence. It serves approximately 5 million customers, primarily in the personal and small business segments, with £34 billion in mortgages and £35 billion in deposits. But with the latest buyout news, TSB combined with Santander would serve nearly 28 million retail and business customers nationwide. And TSB customers will also have access to Santander's international network in a massive boost. This means they can benefit from the group's leading technology platforms. The latest acquisition appears to be another win for Santander as the company strengthens its position in one of its core markets. It comes as Sabadell, which bought TSB in 2015 for £1.7bn, is seeking to fend off an billion-pound hostile approach from its domestic rival BBVA. Santander has in the past year entertained bids from both NatWest and Barclays for its UK retail arm - but ultimately rejected both offers due to disagreements over price. Ana Botín, Banco Santander's executive chair, said: "The acquisition of TSB represents a continuing strategic commitment to our customers in the UK, offering a compelling opportunity that is financially attractive to our shareholders and aligned with Santander's long-term objectives. "It strengthens our franchise in a core market through the acquisition of a low-risk and complementary business that adds to our diversification. "We are creating a stronger and more competitive business across key products such as personal current accounts where the combined business will become the second largest bank in the UK by market share. "The transaction will accelerate our path to greater profitability in the UK and helps achieve a return on tangible equity of 16% by 2028. "The acquisition also reflects our commitment to growing profitably through disciplined capital allocation. This acquisition meets our goal of achieving a return on investment above 20% and EPS accretion from year 1, while consuming limited capital and having low execution risk. "Furthermore, the transaction will not affect Santander's existing distribution policy and 2025 targets.' Meanwhile, CEO of Santander UK, Mike Regnier said: "This is an excellent deal for customers combining two strong and complementary banks, creating one of the most substantial banks in the UK and materially enhancing the competitiveness of the industry. 'At Santander UK we have momentum in our strategy to become the best bank for customers in the UK by investing in technology and service and improving our processes and efficiency. "This deal accelerates our transformation allowing us to enhance our customer proposition and invest more in innovative products and our digital offering, supported by the human touch service so many appreciate, not least in our new branch formats and enhancements across the country. 'We are fully committed to ensuring a seamless integration, by leveraging our market leading technology and significant experience. "Maintaining the highest levels of service for customers across both banks will be a key priority and we will support all colleagues through the transition, as we invest in building a stronger bank for the future'.


North Wales Chronicle
42 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer abandons key welfare reforms in face of Labour revolt
The Government has shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and any changes will now only come after a review of the benefit. The climbdown came just 90 minutes before MPs were due to vote for the first time on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. It will cause a major headache for Chancellor Rachel Reeves as the welfare squeeze was originally meant to save £4.8 billion a year, which was subsequently reduced to £2.3 billion when the Bill was first watered down last week. Postponing any changes to the eligibility criteria for Pip means it is now uncertain how much the reforms will save from the soaring welfare bill. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused ministers of 'utter capitulation' and said the legislation was now 'pointless'. She said: 'They should bin it, do their homework, and come back with something serious. Starmer cannot govern.' Some 39 Labour MPs have signed an amendment which would see the Bill fall at its first hurdle in the Commons. Rebel ringleader Rachael Maskell said: 'The whole Bill is now unravelling and is a complete farce. 'What it won't do is stop the suffering of disabled people which is why we are determined to go ahead with the reasoned amendment and attempt to vote down the Bill at second reading.' A previous effort to kill the Bill had attracted more than 120 Labour supporters, but was dropped after the first partial U-turn on the legislation last week, which restricted the Pip changes to new claimants from November 2026. That date has now been abandoned in the latest climbdown, with any changes now only coming after disability minister Sir Stephen Timms' review of the Pip assessment process. Sir Stephen announced the climbdown in the middle of the debate on the legislation. He acknowledged 'concerns that the changes to Pip are coming ahead of the conclusions of the review of the assessment that I will be leading'. He said the Government would now 'only make changes to Pip eligibility activities and descriptors following that review', which is due to conclude in the autumn of 2026. The concession came after frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations in Westminster involving the Prime Minister, his cabinet and wavering Labour MPs. It appeared to have won round some Labour doubters. Josh Fenton-Glynn, who was one of the 126 Labour MPs who signed the original rebel amendment to the welfare reform Bill last week, described the move as 'really good news'. He said he wanted to support the Government at 'every opportunity' and was glad changes to personal independence payment eligibility would be delayed until after the Timms review. But other Labour MPs appeared exasperated, with one telling the PA news agency that no-one 'knew what they were voting on anymore'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns and public affairs at the MS Society, said: 'We thought last week's so-called concessions were last minute. But these panicked 11th hour changes still don't fix a rushed, poorly thought-out bill.' But Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said: 'The last-minute change relating to the review Sir Stephen Timms is leading sounds positive and we are pleased that the Government has listened.' He added: 'Disabled people should not have to pay to fix black holes in the public finances.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Starmer abandons key welfare reforms in face of Labour revolt
Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to abandon a key plank of his welfare reform package in the face of a Labour rebellion. The Government has shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and any changes will now only come after a review of the benefit. The climbdown came just 90 minutes before MPs were due to vote for the first time on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. It will cause a major headache for Chancellor Rachel Reeves as the welfare squeeze was originally meant to save £4.8 billion a year, which was subsequently reduced to £2.3 billion when the Bill was first watered down last week. Postponing any changes to the eligibility criteria for Pip means it is now uncertain how much the reforms will save from the soaring welfare bill. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused ministers of 'utter capitulation' and said the legislation was now 'pointless'. She said: 'They should bin it, do their homework, and come back with something serious. Starmer cannot govern.' Some 39 Labour MPs have signed an amendment which would see the Bill fall at its first hurdle in the Commons. Rebel ringleader Rachael Maskell said: 'The whole Bill is now unravelling and is a complete farce. 'What it won't do is stop the suffering of disabled people which is why we are determined to go ahead with the reasoned amendment and attempt to vote down the Bill at second reading.' A previous effort to kill the Bill had attracted more than 120 Labour supporters, but was dropped after the first partial U-turn on the legislation last week, which restricted the Pip changes to new claimants from November 2026. That date has now been abandoned in the latest climbdown, with any changes now only coming after disability minister Sir Stephen Timms' review of the Pip assessment process. Sir Stephen announced the climbdown in the middle of the debate on the legislation. He acknowledged 'concerns that the changes to Pip are coming ahead of the conclusions of the review of the assessment that I will be leading'. He said the Government would now 'only make changes to Pip eligibility activities and descriptors following that review', which is due to conclude in the autumn of 2026. The concession came after frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations in Westminster involving the Prime Minister, his cabinet and wavering Labour MPs. It appeared to have won round some Labour doubters. Josh Fenton-Glynn, who was one of the 126 Labour MPs who signed the original rebel amendment to the welfare reform Bill last week, described the move as 'really good news'. He said he wanted to support the Government at 'every opportunity' and was glad changes to personal independence payment eligibility would be delayed until after the Timms review. But other Labour MPs appeared exasperated, with one telling the PA news agency that no-one 'knew what they were voting on anymore'.