The amount of money raised on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) through secondary fundraising has decreased by 33% from last year.

Secondary fundraising describes the sale of post-IPO shares on the secondary market between investors.

Research from national accountancy group UHY Hacker Young showed that only £1.18bn was brought in through secondary fundraising over the past year to August 2023, compared to £1.8bn the previous year.

UHY Hacker Young said: “The fall in the amount of money raised could suggest that investors in AIM companies have been less willing to support AIM companies pursue growth plans.”

There has been a continued decline from a high of £6bn in fundraising in 2021.

UHY Hacker Young also said that investors have been less supportive of UK shares over the past few years.

Additionally, the perceived risks of UK shares having risen since the Liz Truss Budget in September 2022.

Rumours are also circulating that chancellor Rachel Reeves may remove the inheritance tax break on AIM shares ahead of the Budget on 30 October.

Currently, shares in many AIM companies are not subject to IHT, making them more valuable to private investors.

In the past 12 months, only one company managed to raise more than £100m through secondary fundraisings on the AIM market.

UHY Hacker Young partner Colin Wright said: “One of the great successes of the AIM market has been the ability of companies to raise money after their IPO to keep powering their growth.

“That element of AIM hasn’t been working recently. The amount of money is down sharply.

“You can’t blame that entirely on possible tax changes for AIM shares, but the speculation isn’t helping.

“The AIM market is a vital part of the UK’s efforts to create growth companies so reducing the tax breaks attached to it would be counterproductive.

“I’m pretty sure the stock exchange would like the government to clear the air and confirm they have no intention of changing the tax status of AIM shares.”

Wright added that investor focus has shifted away from AIM towards the US market, mainly due to AI-related tech companies performing well.

A consequence of this is that smaller UK companies are struggling to attract the attention of investors and the capital needed for growth and expansion.

This, he said, has resulted in the valuations of UK listed companies being lower than counterparts on other stock markets and increases the possibility of takeovers of UK companies.

Wright concluded: “The government does need to find ways to encourage more investments in companies on UK stock markets so that they can remain competitive with other countries.”

YOU could be quids in if you’re able to spot these little-known designs with rare errors in your spare change.

There’s a chance the small coins in your change might be worth a big fortune.

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Rare coins are known to pick up large sums of money.

If you discover a sought-after coin in your change, you can make money on it by selling them at auction, either online or in person, or through a dealer.

There are some coins which are known to fetch large sums of cash, such as the Kew Gardens 50p and the commemorative 50p coins minted to mark the London 2012 games.

But there are also lesser-known designs that are worth keeping an eye out for – as well as error coins.

A coin with a minting error could be worth a small fortune because very few actually make it into circulation.

The price of a coin varies based on things like demand at the time and how common it is.

It’s important to remember that you aren’t guaranteed to fetch huge amounts if you do choose to sell your change.

Anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish, but it’s only ever worth what someone is willing to pay.

By checking the recently sold items you will get a more accurate indication of what people are willing to pay for a specific coin.

If you managed to sell all of the coins mentioned below for their top value, you could make up to £3,312.

Undated 20p – £100

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The undated 20p is known as the “holy grail of change collecting”, ChangeChecker previously told The Sun.

Collectors have been known to search far and wide for the valuable coin ever since it entered circulation in 2008.

Back then, The Royal Mint decided to change the positioning of the date on every 20p piece, moving it from the back to the front.

But in an accidental error, a batch of between 50,000 and 250,000 coins was released without any date at all.

Kimberley Day from RWB auctions said: “These British coins were the first in more than three hundred years to enter circulation with no date.

“Real examples should have no date on either side but otherwise look similar to standard 20ps. These coins sell online for up to £100.”

We checked eBay and found that one of these error coins sold for £75 on September 25.

While another sold for £69.99 on September 20, and a third for £68 on September 15.

Olympic Aquatics 50p – £3,000

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This rare coin features an image of a swimmer slicing through the water on its reverse.

But the coin we are familiar with today wasn’t actually the original design, Kimberley said.

“Rare early examples show lines across the swimmer’s face, whereas the more common type shows no lines,” she added.

“If you have collector’s edition of this coin with the 50p sealed in a purple and teal card it is worth checking if you have the rare variant.

“Most examples are found in this type of packaging but loose examples have been found in people’s change.

“Genuine examples of this error have sold for £3,000 or more.”

The coin was minted in 2011, along with 28 other designs that each featured a sport played at the 2021 Olympics.

The games were hosted in London that year, so the coin collection came out to celebrate the piece of British sporting history.

It isn’t known how many of the original design Olympic Aquatics 50ps are out there.

We spotted one of these coins which sold for a whopping £3,766 on eBay on August 4.

£2 Inverted Britannia effigy – £150

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A small number of 2015 Britannia £2 coins were minted with the Queen’s head upside down.

They accidentally entered circulation and they could now be worth a small fortune.

The Queen’s head is offset by about 150 degrees compared to the Britannia design on the other side.

It’s thought that the error was caused by a loose die rotating during the striking process.

The coin has a mintage figure of just 650,000, making it one of the scarcest in circulation.

It’s estimated that as few as one in 200 – or approximately 3,250 – of them feature the inverted effigy”, ChangeChecker previously told The Sun.

When The Sun checked eBay, we found one that sold for £150 on August 12.

Navy £2 with ‘flag’ error – £17

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There are two different design variations of the 2015 Navy £2 coin that were released into circulation.

The original Navy £2 design show the coin without any markings on the top right of the mast, while the other appears to have a flag flying.

Collectors speculated that two different designs were struck, but it was later confirmed as a striking error caused by a cracked die.

It is unknown how many of these error coins are in circulation, but Kate says it is worth checking the ones in your collection.

The worth of these coins varies across eBay, with one going for a fiver on August 18 and another selling for £17 on July 22.

Sir Isaac Newton 50p – £45

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The Sir Isaac Newton 50p was first issued in 2017 to mark the 375th anniversary of the famous scientist’s birth.

But eagle-eyed collectors soon noticed something a little different on some of their 50ps.

Several collectors reported finding an error on the obverse where several extra lines appeared across the Queen’s portrait.

Again, it’s thought to be an error caused during the striking process during a ‘die clash’.

It’s not known how many of these error coins are in circulation.

One of these coins sold for £45 on September 8, while another went for £30 on August 30.

How do I check if my coin is rare?

Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.

But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.

The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.

Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.

Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.

Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.

Selling a coin at auction or through a dealer

There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.

If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.

It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.

You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.

Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.

Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.

If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.

This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.

You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.

Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.

We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a popular Colin the Caterpillar Christmas decoration has sold out online – and is now being listed for more than double the price on eBay.

Marks & Spencer launched the £5 decoration earlier this month and it was quickly snapped up by shoppers who have branded it the best.

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The hand-painted glass decoration is designed to look just like the Mini Colin the Caterpillar cakes, and is painted with Colin’s signature white face and milk chocolate beans.

The 8cm-long ornament is unavailable online but shoppers can enter their contact details to be notified when it comes back into stock.

Fans took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after being unable to find the must-have decoration online or in store.

One shopper said: “Do you have a link? I can’t find it. Hope it’s not already sold out”.

While another added: “Well it’s already sold out.”

Popular TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp even voiced her frustration after being unable to get her hands on the beautiful decoration.

In a tweet directly to the supermarket she said: “Dear @marksandspencer I’ve being told these are sold out already. Please reassure me that this is not the case. Thank you & Merry Christmas.”

The Sun can exclusively reveal the ornament is due back in store and online from October 12, but you’ll need to be quick as Marks & Spencer said it is expected to sell out quickly again.

Desperate shoppers are now turning to eBay to get their hands on the bauble.

Other customers are making extra cash by flogging the decorations for around £10.99 on the secondhand website.

One cheeky shopper even sold one of the ornaments for £12 plus £3.39 postage just five days ago.

This was the highest price seen by The Sun on eBay.

Shoppers seem eager to get hold of the festive item for themselves.

One described the item on X as the “best thing ever”, while another added “need one of those”.

Colin the Caterpillar vs Cuthbert the Caterpillar

MARKS & Spencer has called a truce with Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar cake.

The upmarket supermarket and discount chain were locked in a legal battle after Aldi started selling a cake called Cuthbert the Caterpillar which looked similar to the M&S creation. 

They reached a confidential agreement out of court on November 5, it has now emerged.

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The companies have not disclosed the terms of the settlement – but both cakes will still be sold. 

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Cuthbert is free and looking forward to seeing all his fans again very soon!”

An M&S spokesperson said: “The objective of the claim was to protect the IP in our Colin the Caterpillar cake and we are very pleased with the outcome.”

The high street retailer started selling the famous Colin cake more than 30 years ago and its design has been largely unchanged since 2004. 

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The only exception is during seasonal events such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter, when M&S launches temporary new designs.

Colin is made of chocolate sponge and buttercream, covered in a chocolate shell, and costs £7. 

Aldi launched its copycat Cuthbert cake in 2019 for £4.99. 

Most supermarkets now have their own version, including Waitrose’s Cecil, Charlie at the Co-op, and Tesco’s Curly cake.

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Nearly 40 of the decorations of the beloved brown caterpillar have already been sold on eBay this month.

The Colin the Caterpillar chocolate log was first created by Marks & Spencer in 1990 and has since sold more than 15 million cakes.

Since then the iconic insect has been used on a variety of products including slippers, hot water bottles and pet toys.

The supermarket chain has launched several Christmas decorations of its beloved characters including a Percy Pig Christmas Tree Topper and Spencer Bear decoration.

There are also several other glass ornaments in its Christmas collection this year, including a tractor hanging decoration and three pack London skyline series.

A Marks & Spencer spokesman said: “It comes as no surprise that our brand new Colin the Caterpillar Cake Christmas Tree Decoration is HUGELY popular with our customers.

“Considering Colin attends over a MILLION birthdays per year, it was a no-brainer to get a replica of the nation’s much-loved caterpillar cake hanging on Christmas tree’s across the UK this festive season.”

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SCAM victims tricked into sending money to fraudsters from their accounts will see compensation sliced under plans confirmed today.

Customers who unwittingly transfer cash to con artists had been due to receive reimbursement of up to £415,000 under new rules coming in days.

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But now payouts have been given a ceiling of £85,000 when rules take effect on October 7, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) confirmed today.

The change comes after a “lobbying campaign” from some firms in the payments industry,” according to Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which?.

She added: “People don’t fall victim to scams because they’re careless, but because they’re ruthlessly manipulated. 

“As the disastrous consequences of this decision for scam victims become apparent, the regulator must carefully monitor its impact and be ready to intervene with better protections for victims along with stronger financial incentives for banks and payments firms to tackle fraud.” 

Fraud is broadly split into authorised and unauthorised.

People who are tricked willingly giving cash or providing consent to fake payments are classed as authorised fraud.

Victims were tricked into giving away £459.7m through authorised push payment (APP) fraud, according to financial figures from industry body UK Finance. 

Purchase scams are the biggest driver of authorised fraud with people buying in advance for bogus goods or fake services that never materialise, usually through social sites such as Facebook.

Unauthorised fraud, on the other hand, is where criminals typically steal financial information to take out products in victims’ names.

Victims of APP fraud currently receive 62% of cash back after being scammed compared to 98% of unauthorised targets.

The new rules were part of efforts to tackle this issue to make sure victims are fairly reimbursed.

Up until now, banks have just signed up to a voluntary reimbursement code.

In a statement the PSR said new requirements will provide “world-leading protections” to people who fall victim to scams.

The body added: “This was a carefully balanced decision – which provides significant protection to fraud victims and strikes an appropriate balance having regard to the PSR’s innovation and competition objectives and making sure that payment systems work well for everyone.”

More than 99% of APP claims will be covered by the £85,000 reimbursement cap, according to the PSR.

A final policy statement to explain the reasoning for the decision is due to be published next week.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) revealed that scam-related complaints have recently reached their highest level since at least early 2018.

In the first quarter of this financial year (April 1 to June 30), consumers lodged 8,734 gripes about fraud and scams.

More than half were in related to authorised push payment scams.

HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST SCAMMERS

More than three quarters of authorised fraud starts online.

When handing over cash for goods or services found online that you haven’t yet received you should be extra vigilant for scams. 

Fraudsters often use popular events such as the recently announced Oasis concerts, to prey on victims.   

Buy from reputable sources and sites to protect yourself.

Alarm bells should be ringing if prices are too good to be true.

Take the time to carry out extra checks on unknown sources. 

Fraud cases that originate through phone calls make up fewer cases but losses are often far larger. These are typically when criminals impersonate banks or other trusted sources.  

It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore requests for cash. Usually it is criminals that will try to pressure or rush you into payments.

If you are in doubt over a caller’s identity, call a trusted company or organisation phone number to check. 

A SHOPPER has revealed a cheap hack for making Starbucks at home for a fraction of the price using an unexpected item.

The coffee lover shared their secret Lidl alternative to buying a current Starbucks fan-favourite that can be made at home.

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The product is the Italiamo pistachio spread, which can be bought in Lidl for £2.99.

The cream spread has become a viral sensation, made up of 45% pistachio nuts and available to buy in 190g jars.

It comes as people are raving about the latest pistachio addition to the 2024 winter Starbucks menu.

The Iced White Chocolate & Pistachio Oat Shaken Espresso is priced at £4.35 for a tall size.

One creative shopper took to the Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group chat to share their original recipe: “Off the back of the Lidl pistachio spread hype… I bring you Starbucks pistachio latte dupe!”

She explained that you need to “use half a teaspoon (or more if you want stronger flavour) of spread, then pour in your hot milk, stir, and add coffee.

“I added brown sugar syrup to enhance the sweetness of the pistachio but it’s just as good on its own!”

Members reacted to the post saying they “will be trying this” and that it was a “game changer”.

The recipe requires just one teaspoon of spread (roughly 15g), making 13 homemade luxury coffees per jar – that is 23p a cup.

This means you could save £2.76 on buying a Starbucks coffee, making a saving of 92%.

Prices do vary at the coffee chain from site to site.

However, no matter where you live you will be making a considerable saving.

Members also took the chance to share their own DIY ideas, offering cheesecake and pastry recipes, or recommending buyers try adding the spread to porridge.

Other pistachio spreads are available online, but if buying from Ocado, its Borna Foods smooth pistachio butter would set you back £8.50.

It always pays to compare prices so you know you’re getting the best deal.

We couldn’t find a similar product anywhere online at other supermarket retailers.

To find the Lidl closest to you, or see whether the product is available in your local store, use the Store Locator tool on the supermarket’s website.

Prices can also vary day to day and by what deals are on at the time, plus remember you might pay for delivery if you’re ordering online.

Making coffees at home is always a cheaper alternative, and can save you huge cash over time.

According to Wholesale Coffee Co, Brits spend on average £5.50 per week on coffee, which is £286 a year.

People who bought Starbucks coffee 3 times a week would spend approximately £51 a month, which is a whopping £612 across the year.

By spending a little more on your favourite home coffee ingredients, you could satisfy the same cravings and have your pockets feeling fuller in no time.

Other ways to save money on coffee

Join Costa Club

If you become a Costa Club member, you can access free drinks faster by getting a free drink every 5 purchases.

Non-Costa Club members get a free drink every 10 coffees bought.

But remember – incentives such as these are made to encourage buyers to spend more money, so don’t use it as a reason to splash more cash on hot drinks than you usually would.

Tesco Clubcard Scheme

Tesco’s Clubcard  holders can get cheaper prices on over 8,000 items thanks to Clubcard Prices, such as the Costa Barista Creations sachets which are reduced to £1.75.

With this deal, you can make a range of Costa items from home, such as the Salted Caramel, Maple Hazel and Gingerbread Latte.

Morrison’s Cafe

There are a range of deals in Morrison’s cafes which means you can enjoy coffee dates for a reduced price.

It offers a Cake and a Hot Drink for the price of £4, and customers can also enjoy free refills on self serve drinks.

The conditions of this deal varies between store and location.

Other supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Asda offer kids to eat for £1, and in Tesco kids can eat free if bought alongside an adult purchase.

To find out the conditions of your local supermarket cafe, visit their website.

Additional vouchers can also be accessed through Clubcard and Nectar voucher schemes, or on websites such as Groupon.

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Advisers have been urged to put themselves in their clients’ shoes during the protection advice process for a successful outcome.

The call was made on the second day of the week long Income Protection Action Week (IPAW) organised by the Income Protection Task Force.

The online Q&A webinar chaired by the IPTC co-chair Jo Miller alongside adviser and wealth coach Matt Chapman explored via a series of role plays the common mistakes advisers make while engaging with clients and the resulting lost opportunities.

The first role play shows a scenario where an adviser is more focus on Income Protection (IP) product rather than the client’s need and the language used employed industry jargon and terminology.

Chapman cautioned that advisers should focus on need rather than product and should aim to use simple language “to keep things relatable”.

He said advisers need to create that “core need in the first place” and “relate it back to the customer goals.”

The second role play shows an advice process devoid of passion and lack of engagement with the client.

Chapman urged advisers to “humanise” the IP advice conversation.

He said: “The humanising of the conversation is what gets the customer bought into the concept because you’re really demonstrating why it’s important and what you’re doing is in the client best interest rather than just going through a monotone presentation that’s boring.”

He added that using storytelling is “imperative” to “bring the emotion alive for the client and overcome their optimism bias”.

“We can all recount genuine stories where we have seen customers suffered hardships or go through difficulties. Everyone out there watching this probably know someone that has experienced serious illness or die prematurely.

“I think it’s about reverting to those stories, even probing the customer as to whether they know someone in that situation. Often that’s enough to spark that thought in their mind about what happened to that family when that situation occurred. They will see the benefit of what you’re recommending.”

The third role play showed a “patronising and pushy” adviser whose method is far removed from the rules of the FCA’s Consumer Duty.

Chapman said he hope this type of conversations are not taking place because the adviser in that scenario misunderstand their role.

“We see this a lot where you’ve got advisers who believe that the value of what they do is that they know something the customer doesn’t know. And they will chat to you in a condescending way.”

And the fourth role play looked at an adviser who brings up protection as a “bolt on option”.

He said he dealt with this category of advisers as part of his coaching work.