Intergenerational-financial-planning

Intergenerational financial planning: “We’ll deal with it later” Usually means “too late”

by Financial Planning

Let’s be honest.

Most people don’t grow up dreaming of meetings about pensions, inheritance tax, or long-term financial planning. For many in the next generation, financial advice sits somewhere between doing a tax return and organising the garage, important, but very easy to put off.

And yet, one day, it suddenly matters.

The great wealth transfer

Over the next couple of decades, a huge amount of wealth will move from one generation to the next. Property, pensions, investments, businesses etc.

The problem?
Many people receiving that wealth:

  • Don’t fully understand it
  • Haven’t been part of the conversation
  • Don’t have a relationship with an adviser they trust

So, what happens? They switch advisers… or worse, stop taking advice altogether.

Not ideal when real money and real decisions are involved.

Why the next generation switches off.

Younger adults don’t avoid advice because they’re careless, they avoid it because it often feels:

  • Too formal
  • Too technical
  • Too “this will matter when you’re 65”

Add in a healthy dose of jargon and a long PDF, and disengagement is almost guaranteed.

At Digby Associates, the average age of our advisers is 36.

That means:

  • We remember renting, student loans, career changes and childcare costs
  • We know that life rarely follows a neat financial timeline
  • We’re used to explaining complex things in plain English (without sounding like a textbook)

We don’t believe financial planning should feel like a lecture, it should feel like a conversation.

Conversations are more relaxed

Questions feel easier to ask (including the “basic” ones)

Financial planning feels relevant now, not “one day”

It also means we’re naturally focused on long-term relationships. We’re not just planning for the next review , we’re planning for the next 20 or 30 years.

Intergenerational planning without the awkwardness

Intergenerational financial planning doesn’t mean forcing family meetings around the kitchen table (unless you want to).

Done well, it’s about:

  • Gradually involving the next generation
  • Building confidence before responsibility
  • Making sure everyone understands what exists and why
  • Avoiding nasty surprises later

And yes, it’s possible to talk about money without it being uncomfortable.

Planning that grows with you

Families want to know that:

  • Their children won’t feel lost when wealth transfers
  • Decisions won’t be rushed under pressure
  • Advice will still feel relevant years from now

With an adviser team whose average age is 36, Digby Associates is built to grow with your family, not just advise one generation.

A person signing a document with a pen

What Is The 2026 Renters Right Act, And What Could It Mean For You?

by Financial Planning

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is a landmark piece of legislation in England designed to provide greater security, stability, and rights to approximately 11 million private renters. While it received Royal Assent on October 27, 2025, its primary reforms take effect in stages starting May 1, 2026.

It’s key objective is to provide tenants with greater security by abolishing “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, ending fixed-term tenancies for periodic ones, and banning rent bidding wars, while introducing stronger standards like the Decent Homes Standard and rules against discrimination.

This means more stable housing, easier challenges to unfair rent hikes (limited to once yearly), and better quality homes, though landlords can still evict for valid reasons like significant rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.

Key Changes:

  • No More “No-Fault” Evictions: Landlords need a valid reason (like rent arrears, property damage) to evict, ending easy Section 21 evictions, giving tenants more security.
  • Periodic Tenancies: All tenancies become month-to-month (or week-to-week), replacing fixed terms, allowing tenants to give notice (usually two months) to leave.
  • Rent Caps & Fairness: Rent increases are limited to once a year with two months’ notice; tenants can challenge unfair increases at a tribunal.
  • Ban on Rental Bidding Wars: Landlords must advertise a clear price and can’t accept offers above it, stopping pressure for higher bids.
  • Protection Against Discrimination: It’s illegal for landlords to refuse tenants receiving benefits or with children.
  • Improved Home Standards: The Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law will require landlords to fix hazards like damp within set times, says The Law Society and BBC.
  • New Landlord Database & Ombudsman: A database will track landlords, and an Ombudsman will help resolve disputes impartially.
  • Renting with Pets: Landlords can’t unreasonably refuse tenants with pets.

What This Could Mean For You:

  • More Stability: Less fear of sudden eviction, allowing you to plan longer-term.
  • Easier to Move: Periodic tenancies and reasonable notice periods simplify ending a tenancy.
  • Fairer Rent & Conditions: Greater power to contest high rents and demand safe housing.
  • Support for Families/Benefit Recipients: Easier access to rentals for those with children or on benefits.

Longer-Term Reforms (2026–2028 and beyond)

  • Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database: A new national register of all landlords and properties in England will roll out regionally starting in late 2026.
  • Landlord Ombudsman: A new mandatory ombudsman service will be established to resolve disputes fairly without going to court. It is expected that this will be fully operational by 2028.
  • Property Standards: The “Decent Homes Standard” will be applied to the private sector to ensure homes are safe and warm. “Awaab’s Law” will also be extended to the private rental sector, setting strict timeframes for landlords to fix serious hazards like damp and mould.

In summary:

  • Tenants will gain significant protection from arbitrary eviction and more flexibility to move by giving two months’ notice. They can also challenge poor conditions or unfair rent hikes more effectively.
  • Landlords will need to move to a more evidence-based management style. Evictions will require proving a valid legal ground in court. Non-compliance with the new rules can result in civil penalties of up to £7,000 for initial breaches and up to £40,000 for serious or repeat offenses.
business brain storm meeting presentation Team discussing roadmap to product launch, presentation, planning, strategy, new business development

Why workplace sexual harassment training is a financial investment

by Business AdviceFinancial PlanningUncategorized

This year, Digby Associates undertook training with SARSAS in Understanding Sexual Harassment at Work, as part of our continued efforts to create a safe workplace where our staff can thrive.

Why the training is a financial investment

A recent survey conducted by Unite1 found that 56% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work and they labelled sexual harassment as endemic across all sectors.

The Worker Protection Act 2023, which came into effect in October 2024, states that employers must take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, one reasonable step being workplace training.

In 2021 the government estimated that the average case of a pre-court settlement or tribunal compensation for sexual harassment ranged between £10,000 to £45,0002. Now, under the Worker Protection Act, an employment tribunal has the power to increase compensation by up to 25% if it finds that an employer has breached their duty to prevent sexual harassment.

The potential legal costs and reputational damage, alongside the impact that an unhealthy workplace culture can have on worker morale, innovation, output and staff turnover rates all demonstrate the urgent moral and financial need to invest in training to create safe workplaces.

Why we chose SARSAS to deliver our training

SARSAS is a local rape crisis centre and Bristol based charity, founded in 2008, that provides trauma-informed support to thousands of survivors of rape and sexual abuse every year.

SARSAS also strives for a world without sexual violence, which is why they offer training in a variety of topics, and we felt that their expert knowledge and trauma-informed approach to the training was the right fit for helping us to approach this sensitive but important issue.

You can find out more about SARSAS here www.sarsas.org.uk

The impact of the training

The training was very engaging and was tailored to us in the financial sector, giving our team the tools to recognise sexual harassment and feel confident to speak up about it. It encouraged the team to reflect on how we can all respect boundaries and approach our work and interactions with colleagues and clients in this respectful and conscientious way.

We feel that having undertaken this training sets us apart from other advisers, not only by creating a workplace where our staff can thrive and give our clients the best service, but also to give pertinent financial advice to our business clients, enabling them to create resilient workplaces and avoid costly legal expenditures.

(+ anything additional Digby Associates want to add about impact since the session) 

1 Unite’s Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment Survey 2025 Sexual harassment endemic in UK workplaces, landmark Unite survey finds

2 The Business Cost of Workplace Sexual Harassment & Workplace harassment impact assessment: final stage, October 2021 – part 2 of 2 (evidence base) – GOV.UK

Hands holding a paper family

Have You Forgotten About Your Child Trust Fund? Here’s How to Find It

by Financial Planning

What is a Child Trust Fund?

A Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a special savings account the UK government gave to children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The government gave parents a voucher worth £250 or £500 (depending on the family’s income) to open the account, and family members could add more money over time.

The idea was to give every child a little nest egg to help them when they turned 18. But now, many young people don’t even know they have one  and millions of pounds are sitting unclaimed.

Who Can Claim the Money?

If you were born in the UK between 2002 and 2011, you might have a Child Trust Fund in your name  even if your parents never opened the account. In that case, HMRC would have opened one for you.

You can access the money from age 18. If you’re already 18 or older, you can withdraw it. If you’re 16 or 17, you can take control of it and decide what to do with it when you turn 18.

Parents or guardians can also find the account for children under 18.

How Much Money Might Be in There?

The amount in the fund depends on how much was added and how it was invested. Some accounts may have grown to £1,000 or more, especially if family added money or it earned good returns.

Even if it’s just the government’s original payment, it’s still free money!

How to Find Your Child Trust Fund

If you don’t know where your CTF is, don’t worry  the government has made it easy to find out.

You can use the official government tool here:

Find a Child Trust Fund – GOV.UK

To use the service, you’ll need:

  • Your National Insurance number
  • A Government Gateway account (you can create one if you don’t have it)

Once you’ve logged in, HMRC will search for your account and tell you where it’s held  usually with a bank or investment company. From there, you can contact them to access or manage your money.

Don’t Miss Out!

More than one million people haven’t claimed their Child Trust Funds yet  and that could be hundreds or even thousands of pounds sitting unclaimed.

So, if you (or your child) were born between 2002 and 2011, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check. It’s quick, free, and it could give you a nice financial boost!

Someone receiving the keys to their new house, with a wooden house keyring

UK Green Mortgages: A Guide and Latest Developments (2025)

by Mortgage Advice

The UK’s push to improve housing energy efficiency has led to a surge in green mortgages—home loans offering perks like lower interest rates or cashback for energy-efficient homes or renovations. This trend supports national climate goals, especially the government’s target for all homes to reach an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C by 2035. Yet with nearly 60% of homes still rated D or below, green mortgages provide timely incentives for eco-friendly homeownership. Once a niche, these products are now mainstream: by early 2023, 39 of 82 UK lenders offered green mortgage options. As both government and industry encourage sustainable housing, green finance is becoming essential for buyers, investors, landlords, and developers.

 

What Are Green Mortgages?

Green mortgages in the UK function like traditional home loans but include incentives for purchasing or improving energy-efficient homes. The mortgage terms remain standard, but borrowers benefit through rate reductions or cashback. Typically, these rewards apply if a home achieves a high EPC rating (usually A or B), or if energy-saving upgrades—like insulation or new heating systems—are completed. For example, some lenders offer a lower fixed rate for an A-rated home, while others provide a few hundred pounds in cashback after retrofitting improvements.

 

Types of Green Mortgage Products

Green mortgages fall into two categories:

Purchase Incentives – available for buyers of energy-efficient properties, including new-builds or already retrofitted homes.

Renovation Finance – where lenders offer discounted rates or additional borrowing for eco-upgrades such as installing solar panels or heat pumps.

A notable early example is the Ecology Building Society’s “C-Change” mortgage from 2006, which reduced the interest rate by 0.25% per EPC band improved. While current incentives are typically more modest (0.1% rate reductions or small cashback sums), the concept of rewarding upgrades remains central.

 

Why Do Lenders Offer Them?

Lenders have both environmental and commercial motivations. Green mortgages support decarbonising UK housing, a priority flagged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has urged lenders to innovate in this area. Strategically, these products also help banks attract eco-conscious borrowers and enhance property portfolios. Although the link between EPC ratings and credit risk isn’t yet conclusive, consumer demand for sustainable living is strong—and lenders are responding with new products and offerings.

 

Who Benefits and How?

Homebuyers

Owner-occupiers benefit from lower borrowing costs and improved living standards. Even a 0.1% interest reduction saves money over a mortgage’s lifetime, while cashback helps offset costs. Energy-efficient homes also lower monthly utility bills and may appreciate more over time. A 2022 UK survey showed buyers were willing to pay 9–15% more for efficient homes. For homebuyers, improving a property’s EPC rating not only reduces costs but can increase future resale value.

Property Investors

Green mortgages appeal to investors seeking capital gains. Cashback, reduced rates, and financing for retrofits improve investment returns. Enhancing energy performance can boost market value significantly. Some UK studies cite 10–20% uplifts post-retrofit. Investors also make properties more attractive to environmentally aware buyers and avoid future penalties as regulations tighten. Lower mortgage costs during ownership further enhance returns, aligning sustainability with profitability.

Landlords

Buy-to-let owners face regulatory pressure to upgrade rental stock. The UK plans to raise minimum EPC requirements for rentals to band C by 2030. Green mortgages help landlords comply affordably, funding improvements like insulation or boiler upgrades. Properties with better efficiency appeal to tenants due to lower bills and improved comfort. One UK case noted a “zero-energy” development achieving 10% higher rents with strong demand. Green mortgages allow landlords to increase yields while reducing void periods and ensuring compliance.

Developers

Developers gain from building to higher efficiency standards. Homes rated A or B qualify buyers for green mortgage products from major lenders like Barclays and Nationwide, making them easier to sell. Building sustainably also boosts brand reputation and property valuations. Many lenders now offer green development loans or improved terms for projects that align with environmental goals. For developers, going green improves marketability, supports better pricing, and aligns with future regulatory expectations.

Policy and Market Developments (2025)

Government Support

The UK government has strengthened green finance as part of its climate agenda. The Green Home Finance Accelerator (GHFA), part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, awarded £15 million in grants to 13 pilot projects between 2023 and 2025. These trials are developing innovative loan models and retrofit financing tools. Meanwhile, policies like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (offering £7,500 for heat pumps) and VAT relief on insulation materials reduce costs for consumers.

A broader Warm Homes Plan is expected to coordinate efforts nationally. UK Finance, the banking industry association, advocates for public campaigns and funding support to scale green mortgage adoption. There are also discussions around requiring banks to disclose the average EPC rating of their mortgage books, a potential regulatory nudge for lenders to promote energy improvements.

Lender Innovation

Banks continue to expand and diversify their green mortgage portfolios. Since 2020, over a dozen lenders—including high street giants and regional building societies—have introduced green products. Innovations include Santander’s “EnergyFact” reports, which provide tailored efficiency recommendations and savings estimates for borrowers. Some lenders offer green “further advance” loans, enabling existing borrowers to fund retrofits at preferential rates.

Between 2021 and 2023, 15 new lenders entered the green mortgage space, while only seven exited. As of early 2023, there were 76 distinct green home finance products in the UK. These range from purchase incentives to energy upgrade loans, creating more competition and better deals for borrowers.

Sector Collaboration and Regulatory Guidance

Efforts to standardise green mortgage practices are accelerating. Institutions like the Building Societies Association and RICS are working on incorporating energy efficiency into property valuation and lending decisions. There are discussions around integrating EPC data into mortgage affordability assessments—rewarding borrowers with lower expected energy bills.

New FCA Consumer Duty rules also encourage brokers to discuss green mortgage options with eligible clients. This ensures customers don’t miss out on financial benefits and that sustainability becomes a mainstream part of the mortgage process. These developments signal a shift towards holistic property finance, where energy performance is a key consideration.

Conclusion

Green mortgages have matured from a niche product to a valuable financing tool in the UK’s property market. For buyers, landlords, and developers, they provide direct financial benefits—lower interest rates, cashback, and cheaper upgrade finance—while also enhancing property value and ensuring future compliance with regulations. With government backing, lender innovation, and market demand, green mortgages are a cornerstone of the transition to net-zero housing.

Exploring green mortgage options can lead to long-term cost savings and strategic property gains. Whether you’re investing, upgrading a portfolio, or buying your first home, aligning with green finance can offer both economic and environmental returns. As the UK accelerates toward more sustainable living, green mortgages will play a central role in making efficient homes both accessible and affordable.

The inherent advantages of green mortgages will help focus minds on to the planet and will reward Clients for doing so!

A man adding up numbers on a calculator next to a piggy bank

The Psychology of Money: How Emotions and Biases Affect Financial Decisions (And How a Financial Adviser Can Help)

by Financial Planning

Money is not just a number—it’s a deeply emotional subject. From the excitement of a payslip to the stress of mounting debt, our financial decisions are influenced by far more than just logic. Understanding the psychology behind money can help us navigate the complex relationship we have with our finances, making better decisions and leading to more financial security.