Latest news with #NFUMutual
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Farmers warn of 'toe curling' risks on roads
Farmers have urged motorists to be patient when travelling on rural roads during the harvest season after "several scary moments". Henry Moreton, who farms near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, said he had encountered multiple incidents of drivers attempting to overtake his tractor and combine harvester when it is not safe to do so. "It does make your toes curl up," he said. "You're better getting home two minutes later than not getting home at all. There are too many accidents, head on collisions with tractors and machinery. Just be vigilant." Jason Butler, the owner of Pumpkin Patch Produce in Bewholme, East Yorkshire, said: "You do see some daft things - people overtaking on blind corners and taking unnecessary risks. "If everyone went a bit steadier and had a bit more patience, then everyone would get there safely." A spokesperson for insurer NFU Mutual said collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 65% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, compared with other months. Mr Moreton, who is Lincolnshire county chair of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), described a "terrifying wincing moment" when a minibus with children on board attempted to overtake him on a blind bend. "The thing is, we will have to deal with the consequences," he said. "We're the first responder. We're going to be the people getting people out of those cars or that bloke out of the hedge on his motorbike. It's a really scary thing. It's terrifying really." NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "We'll do our best to make sure we have safe loads, that we're not holding up the traffic too much, but this is a two-way thing. There needs to be a bit of understanding from everybody." According to the Highway Code, if you are planning to overtake a large vehicle you should: Drop back, make sure there is enough room, and do not cut in too quickly Be aware large vehicles may need extra space when turning Do not cross double white lines where the line nearest you is solid unless it is safe and you need to enter an adjoining premises or road You can also cross double white lines to overtake a vehicle traveling at 10mph (16km/h) or less If you are driving a large vehicle: Do not hold up a long queue of traffic Check your mirrors frequently and, if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass Vehicles with a maximum speed of 25mph (40km/h) or less must use a flashing amber beacon on unrestricted dual carriageways Mr Moreton said: "We will pull over if we can, but in certain conditions, we can't. "We're very proud to serve the British public by growing food, so if the British public could give us a minute or two of their time, we will get out of the way as quick as possible." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links National Farmers' Union Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Farmers warn of 'toe curling' risks on roads
Farmers have urged motorists to be patient when travelling on rural roads during the harvest season after "several scary moments".Henry Moreton, who farms near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, said he had encountered multiple incidents of drivers attempting to overtake his tractor and combine harvester when it is not safe to do so."It does make your toes curl up," he said. "You're better getting home two minutes later than not getting home at all. There are too many accidents, head on collisions with tractors and machinery. Just be vigilant." Jason Butler, the owner of Pumpkin Patch Produce in Bewholme, East Yorkshire, said: "You do see some daft things - people overtaking on blind corners and taking unnecessary risks. "If everyone went a bit steadier and had a bit more patience, then everyone would get there safely." A spokesperson for insurer NFU Mutual said collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 65% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, compared with other months. Mr Moreton, who is Lincolnshire county chair of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), described a "terrifying wincing moment" when a minibus with children on board attempted to overtake him on a blind bend."The thing is, we will have to deal with the consequences," he said. "We're the first responder. We're going to be the people getting people out of those cars or that bloke out of the hedge on his motorbike. It's a really scary thing. It's terrifying really."NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "We'll do our best to make sure we have safe loads, that we're not holding up the traffic too much, but this is a two-way thing. There needs to be a bit of understanding from everybody." According to the Highway Code, if you are planning to overtake a large vehicle you should: Drop back, make sure there is enough room, and do not cut in too quicklyBe aware large vehicles may need extra space when turningDo not cross double white lines where the line nearest you is solid unless it is safe and you need to enter an adjoining premises or roadYou can also cross double white lines to overtake a vehicle traveling at 10mph (16km/h) or lessIf you are driving a large vehicle: Do not hold up a long queue of trafficCheck your mirrors frequently and, if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic passVehicles with a maximum speed of 25mph (40km/h) or less must use a flashing amber beacon on unrestricted dual carriagewaysMr Moreton said: "We will pull over if we can, but in certain conditions, we can't."We're very proud to serve the British public by growing food, so if the British public could give us a minute or two of their time, we will get out of the way as quick as possible." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The children sitting on six-figure Junior Isas - and how to grow a nest egg for your offspring
Hundreds of children are sitting on Junior Isa pots worth over £100,000, This Is Money can reveal. Over 2 million children currently hold a Junior Isa (Jisa), a popular tax-efficient vehicle which lets their parents grow a savings pot that the child can access once they turn 18. While some parents and grandparents may put a small amount into a Jisa every month, others have committed to the maximum annual limit. This was £3,600 when the Jisa launched in 2011, rising to £4,260 in 2018, £4,368 in 2019 and then leaping to £9,000 in 2020. Now, a freedom of information request by financial advisory firm NFU Mutual reveals that 50 children have Jisa pots worth £200,000 or more. That far exceeds the maximum amount the parents could have paid in each year since Jisas launched, with the rest coming from returns on investments in stocks and shares Jisas. Overall, approximately 2,025,750 individuals held Jisas in the 2022-23 tax year. Some 680 individuals had a pot worth between £90,000 and £99,999.99 at the end of the 2022/23 tax year. Nearly 400 parents have saved between £100,000 and £109,999.99, with a further 220 sitting on pots worth between £110,000 and £119,999.99. > Junior cash Isas - find the top rates using This is Money's savings tables Should you save or invest a Jisa pot? Like adult Isas, Jisas have both cash and stocks and shares options. The average amount put in in the 2022-23 tax year was £1,220, according to the government's data, which also shows that 42 per cent of the £1.5 billion saved was in cash. While keeping the savings in cash can be a lower-risk option, putting the money aside over 18 years means it's likely to lose money thanks to inflation. The longer time period also gives more of an opportunity to ride out stock market ups and downs. Chris Hood, personal finance expert at NFU Mutual, told This Is Money: 'Parents and grandparents are increasingly looking at junior Isas as a tax-efficient way to invest for a child's future – particularly as they are considering the implications of proposed inheritance tax changes. 'Junior Isas are a great way to help save for a house deposit or university fees in a tax-efficient environment, but many families are missing out on potentially higher long-term returns by sticking with cash-based junior Isas rather than investing in a stocks and shares Isa.' A Jisa is invested differently to a standard stocks and shares Isa because it is often invested over a longer period of time. Hood added: 'It is important that the overall investing time horizon is considered as this allows an opportunity to take on more risk in the portfolio and achieve potentially greater returns. 'There is also a valuable financial education aspect. Junior Isas are a good way for parents to help their children understand about the value of investing and the effects of compounding over a long period. 'The figures here show the potential for Jisas to grow into large sums when the investments are given many years to mature and to ride out short term stock market volatility. 'This can give children the confidence to invest for the longer term and to understand the benefits that long term investing has the potential to bring.' These figures come as some families choose to gift their cash to children and grandchildren ahead of proposed changes to inheritance tax. The last Autumn Budget announced plans to reform IHT, including bringing unspent private pensions into people's estates. The Bank of England reported record transfers of £14 billion into cash Isas at the end of the most recent tax year. There is also speculation that Rachel Reeves could slash the cash Isa limit.
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Farmers more likely to seek financial advice as concerns focus around pensions
Almost half of farmers say they plan to seek financial advice over the next six months as concerns about their finances are most likely to focus on their pensions, according to a new study. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK's leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual, questioned 331 farming and non-farming customers about their confidence in saving and investment as part of its twice-yearly investor sentiment study. Some 62 per cent of all customers interviewed in the latest survey in April and May said that their attitude towards savings and investing had been impacted by international tensions – up from 36 per cent who cited it as a factor in November 2024. This was accompanied by a rise in concerns from customers about volatile stock markets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Around 36 per cent of customers in the study said they planned to seek financial advice in the next six months – with 48 per cent of farmers saying they planned to do this. Farmers' concerns about their finances are most likely to be centred around their pension savings, the research found. Your World Last October's Budget included plans to reform inheritance tax and also proposed that unspent private pension wealth should be included as part of estates for inheritance tax purposes from April 2027. Many farming families use pensions as a way of passing on wealth to children who do not want to work in farming. The study found that inheritance tax reforms continue to be a concern with some customers saying they had decided to spend their savings to avoid the tax and others saying they planned to maximise their cash ISA allowances in case of future government changes. The study highlighted that confidence amongst farmers was lower than that of non-farmers. Some 44 per cent of farmers said they were more likely not to have made any additional payments into their savings and investments in the last three months. Many said they were more focused on making additional loan repayments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the proportion of customers who said they were concerned about their finances over the next five years has dropped to 49 per cent compared to 57 per cent in November 2024, the study found. David Nottingham, personal finance expert at NFU Mutual, said: 'The latest study shows a continued increase in short term financial concerns amongst rural customers due to international tensions. This explains why we are seeing an increased appetite for specialist advice as rural customers seek to navigate the uncertainty and secure their financial future. 'Inheritance tax is a particular concern for older participants, and many are worried about the impact on their pensions and finances. It is no surprise that many farmers' concerns about their finances centre around their pensions given the proposals to bring pensions within the inheritance tax net from 2027. 'Customers remain cautious given international tensions and the continued cost of living pressures but there are some bright spots notably that customer pessimism over the next five years has decreased significantly.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad NFU Mutual and Human8, the market research agency, questioned 331 people who took part in an online survey between April 28 – May 6. The study is part of a twice-yearly Mutual Voice Savings and Investment tracker which monitors customer sentiment.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
American living in UK 'terrified' after cycling on British roads
Many people in the UK enjoy cycling as a hobby and for some it's their main form of transport, but there are some risks and an American man shared his experience of cycling to Brighton An American went cycling in the UK and was left terrified by one thing. Some people like to cycle instead of driving to stay fit, save money or because they see it as better for the environment but for someone who's not from Britain it can be a bit daunting. This was the case for the TikTok star @kjordyyy who moved to London from the United States and has become well known on the platform for sharing the differences he has noticed between American and British culture. He recently posted a TikTok video sharing his experience of cycling from London to Brighton which took him along a country road in Chaldon, a village in Surrey. The self-dubbed 'mere Yank amongst Brits' found that there's 'nothing more terrifying than UK countryside roads.' In the clip, he said: 'Right now I'm cycling to Brighton and I've been on this little side country road for the longest, cool yet scary. 'I'm in a random place called Chaldon. [The] roads are like this tiny. I can barely fit yet cars are flying around the corners. It's just scary as hell, I'll be honest bro.' The American continued his bike ride to Brighton, which is about 55 miles (88km) from London, and showed the narrow paths he cycled through, including by a bush where he was convinced he got 'stung' multiple times by a plant while riding. He added: 'I got 36 more kilometres left. London to Brighton is not for the faint of heart.' Getting back on his bike with 30 kilometres to go, he made it to a 'cute little seaside town' cycling down a narrow path surrounded by trees. Almost at the end of his journey, Kjordy remarked: 'Last 10km, I feel like this would be the hardest. 90km later, two hurt legs and low morale we finally made it to Brighton.' Looking out at the sea, he described the seaside resort as 'sick' and 'lowkey like a little Miami.' Insurance company NFU Mutual cited advice from Nick Chamberlain, policy manager at British Cycling, on staying safe while cycling on rural roads. The first is to 'ride defensively but respectfully' noting that on narrow, winding country lanes it's important that you don't ride in the gutter and instead make sure you ride in a visible position away from the edge of the tarmac. Other tips Chamberlain gave are to pass with sufficient space and speed allowing at least two metres of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people in the road, such as when there is no pavement, and to be particularly careful around junctions, especially those where minor rural roads meet busier, higher speed A roads. 'You are an honorary Brit now, I really enjoy your videos, thanks for posting them.'
