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The Morning Briefing: Aviva wealth net flows rise to £7.7bn and UK adults’ retirement confidence drops

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The Morning Briefing: Phoenix Group scraps plans to sell protection business; advisers tweak processes

Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Thursday 14 November 2024. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.


Aviva wealth net flows rise to £7.7bn as adviser platform grows

Aviva has reported that wealth net flows rose to £7.7bn in the third quarter of the year as demand for its adviser platform grows.

Platform net flows were up 76% to £3.1bn, reflecting strong growth in its financial adviser platform business including Succession Wealth and Direct Wealth.

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Aviva said in a trading update today (14 Nov) that it has achieved another quarter of “strong delivery and profitable growth” across all areas the business.


UK adults’ retirement confidence drops since 2023

The confidence in UK adults’ ability to have enough capital during retirement has dropped since last year.

This is according to Nucleus UK Retirement Confidence Index which found that overall confidence is 4.6 in 2024 down from 6.9 in 2023.

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Nucleus technical services director Andrew Tully said last year the figure was higher than the company expected it to be.

Out of the different age groups, it was the 35-44 and 45-54-year-olds with lowest retirement confidence, 3.7 and 3.8 respectively.


Get over the obsession with intergenerational planning

The narrative that advisers must secure the next generation to maintain assets under management seems shortsighted, writes Alistair Cunningham, financial planning director at Wingate Financial Planning.

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Much has been made of the so-called Great Wealth Transfer, with predictions of trillions of pounds moving from the Babyboomer generation to their children in the coming years.

Many advisers are being urged to build relationships with the next generation in anticipation of this shift. But I think this is a distraction from where our efforts should be focused: looking after our current clients.



Quote Of The Day

Conflating a government goal of driving investment in the UK and people’s retirement outcomes brings a danger because the risks are all taken with members’ money. If it goes well, everyone can celebrate. But it’s clearly possible that it will go the other way, so there needs to be some caution in this push to use other people’s money to drive economic growth.

-Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, comments on proposed pension ‘megafunds’ reforms set to be announced by the chancellor Rachel Reeves in maiden Mansion House speech tonight.

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Stat Attack

ISA millionaire numbers have soared to a record high of 4,850, the latest annual figures show. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by smart money app Plum has revealed the number of millionaires tracked by HMRC jumped almost 20% in 2022, from the 4,070 recorded the previous year. The average ISA millionaire today is sitting on a pot of £1,351,000.

                            The rise and rise of ISA millionaires

    Year                                       Number of investors with £1m+

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              2016                                          450

              2017                                          740

              2018                                         1,190

              2019                                         2,000

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              2020                                         1,480

              2021                                         4,070

              2022                                         4,850

Source: Plum

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In Other News

Isio has completed a £20m buy-in in with Utmost Life and Pensions. In collaboration with the scheme’s Trustee, and legal advisors DLA Piper, Isio led on brokering the deal and advising on the covenant of the scheme’s insurer.

The transaction supports the scheme’s de-risking objectives as well as marking a significant addition to the bulk purchase annuity (BPA) market, particularly at the smaller end where choice has often been limited.

Thomas Ridley, senior manager at Isio, said: “We’re thrilled to have played a part in this successful buy-in with Utmost, supporting the trustee in achieving a secure and stable outcome for the scheme. The team’s expertise in brokering and covenant advice helped the trustee make informed decisions and ensured an efficient process from start to finish.”

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Gary Needham, head of BPA business development at Utmost Life and Pensions, added: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Trustee and their advisers to successfully complete this buy-in and secure a positive outcome for their members. The speed with which the transaction was completed is testament to the collaborative and pragmatic partnership between all parties involved.”


Ian Aylward has joined AJ Bell as head of investment partnerships, bolstering its award-winning investments team.

Aylward’s role will see him focus on AJ Bell’s bespoke MPS for advised clients. Under the bespoke MPS proposition the AJ Bell Investments team build and manage portfolios tailored to individual specifications for adviser firms and their clients.

Prior to joining AJ Bell, he was head of manager selection and responsible investing at Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, having also previously held roles at Aviva and Skandia over more than 25 years in the industry.

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Reeves to force UK council pensions to consolidate into 8 ‘megafunds’ (Financial Times)

Crypto market capitalisation hits record $3.2 trillion, CoinGecko says (Reuters)

Leading British actors call on chancellor to boost green investment in pensions (The Guardian)


Did You See?

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Around this time last year, I wrote a column on how life has never been so tough for advisers. Unfortunately, this is still the case, argues Clive Waller, managing director at CWC Research.

In consideration of this, it might help to look at the wise words of that well-known business guru, Donald Rumsfeld:

“As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

Let’s consider some of the main issues today under those wise headings.

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Major supermarket to sell tubs of Christmas chocolates including Celebrations and Quality Street for just £2 tomorrow

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Major supermarket to sell tubs of Christmas chocolates including Celebrations and Quality Street for just £2 tomorrow

A MAJOR supermarket is set to sell tubs of Christmas chocolates for a shockingly low £2.

Morrisons is dropping the price of four of its tubs from November 15 until November 21.

Morrisons is dropping the price of Christmas chocs to just £2

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Morrisons is dropping the price of Christmas chocs to just £2Credit: Getty

However, shoppers can only pick up the cut price choccies if they are signed up to the retailer’s More Card scheme and spend a minimum of £45 in-store.

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Savvy savers can only get a maximum of one of each tub too.

The tubs up for grabs include 550g-600g Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes, Celebrations and Roses.

The offer is running nationwide for just six days, with shoppers able to save 66% on the tubs.

All four tubs currently cost up to £6 for shoppers.

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The new offer from Morrisons means it is offering the cheapest price for all four Christmas tubs out of the major supermarkets.

Aldi is the next cheapest option for 550g boxes of Celebrations, which is selling them for £4.49.

Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s is selling 550g tubs of Roses for £4.50 to Nectar Card customers – £2.50 more expensive than Morrisons.

The 550g tubs of Cadbury Heroes are two for £9 at Asda, or £4.50 individually, but that’s £2.50 more expensive than Morrisons.

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Aldi has the 600g tubs of Quality Street in stock for £4.49 which is the least costly after Morrisons.

Exciting new chocolates that have been spotted on shop shelves

Morrisons is not the first supermarket chain to dramatically slash the price of its Christmas chocs in recent weeks.

For two days only last month, Asda dropped the cost of its Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes, Roses and Celebrations.

While Morrisons’ Christmas chocs deal is the best on the market at the minute, it’s always worth comparing prices to be sure.

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You can use websites like Trolley, Price Spy and Price Runner which let you compare prices on thousands of products.

Terms and conditions for the £2 Christmas chocs deal

Consumer reporter Sam Walker talks you through the bargain deal.

  • You have to spend £45 to get a tub for £2
  • You must be signed up to Morrisons’ More Card loyalty scheme
  • The promotion is live between November 15 and 21
  • The purchase price of any tubs is excluded from the £45 minimum spend
  • Certain products don’t count towards your £45 spend: Fuel, cash back, fireworks, lottery, online games and instant
    tickets, tobacco, tobacco-related products (including vapes), prescription medicines and pharmacy services, infant milk or formula, carrier bags, gift vouchers, gift cards, mobile phone cards, mobile phone vouchers, E top-ups, bonus stamps, postage stamps, saver stamps, photo processing, car park tickets, online delivery charges, Dry Cleaning, and vending machines
  • You must spend the £45 in-store and the offer is not available online or on spends in Morrisons cafes, Daily stores or petrol stations

A quick search with the Google Shopping/Product tab can bring up what some retailers are selling items for too.

It’s worth going direct to discounter’s websites like B&M and Home Bargains too as they often have cheap chocs on sale.

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How does the Morrisons More Card work?

The Morrisons More Card is free to sign up to as an app that’s downloadable from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

You can also get a physical card which you can add to your wallet or purse.

It works like the Clubcard or Nectar Card in that you can earn points on purchases. You get one point for every £1 spent in-store or online.

Once you’ve got to 5,000 points you can either keep saving them or convert them into a voucher worth £5, known as a Fiver.

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If you don’t have the app, you can get your Fiver printed in-store.

As a loyalty card member, you can also get lower prices on selected products, known as More Card Prices.

You have to scan your app or physical card at the till and the discounts are applied.

How to save money on chocolate

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We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

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Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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Rare Cadbury chocolate bars branded ‘yummy’ by fans spotted on B&M shelves

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B&M shoppers rush to buy Maltesers stocking filler scanning for 50p instead of £5

A CADBURY chocolate bar which has been labelled as “yummy” has returned to B&M stores across the UK, to the delight of shoppers.

The retailer has recently been stocking the shelves full of different chocolate treats – including the classic Cherry Ripe from down under.

Cadbury's cherry ripe is a chocolate bar featuring dark chocolate, juicy cherries and coconut

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Cadbury’s cherry ripe is a chocolate bar featuring dark chocolate, juicy cherries and coconutCredit: Dansway Gifts and Bargains UK

One eagle-eyed shopper got their hands on one at their local store before spreading the word on social media.

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They took to the Facebook group Dansway Gifts and Bargains UK to let others know, writing: “Cadbury Cherry Ripe Bars BACK at B&M.”

One person commented: “Omg haven’t had them since I was last in Australia, thought it was great finding TimTams in Tesco’s but this is even better!!”

Another said: “Ohhh I have never seen these before love cherry chocolate.”

Someone else wrote: “Omg , love these , used to buy them everyday on way to school when I lived in Oz …”

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Another person commented: “You can’t beat them best chocolate ever.”

One person added: “My guilty pleasure at the moment absolutely to die for.”

Cadbury’s Cherry Ripe is a popular chocolate bar in Australia which features rich dark chocolate, ripe juicy cherries and moist coconut.

The Sun has reached out to B&M to check the price of the chocolate bar.

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You can also buy a pack of two Cherry Ripe on Amazon for £4.99.

5 ways to save money in B&M

The chocolate brand also has plenty of other exciting ranges which prop up shelves every once in a while.

Just last month Cadbury’s Coated Fruit & Nuts were spotted on B&M shelves.

The discounter often imports stock from Down Under to customer fanfare including Dairy Milk Raspberry bars.

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These chocolates aren’t usually found in UK shops and so are especially appealing for shoppers – plus for Aussies, they offer a taste of home.

This year a Cadbury’s mint-flavoured twirl also appeared on shelves in B&M, which originally launched in Australia, and only £1 for four.

What other Cadbury’s chocolates are available?

There’s also loads of classic fan-favourites making a comeback in time for Christmas, such as the Dairy Milk Chocolate Puds.

For individual pud it costs 75p in Sainsbury’s and just 70p in Waitrose.

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You can also buy bags of mini puds for £1.65 in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Poundland.

And the rare 360g Dairy Milk mint crisp bar has returned to some shelves this year – selling cheapest in Asda for £4.

Other Cadbury Christmas bars which are available in supermarkets this year also include the Dairy Milk Classic Wonderland and Mini Snow Balls edition.

Remember to always compare prices when shopping so you know you’re paying the right amount for what you’re getting.

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A great way to do this is via the comparison site Trolley which will show the prices for every store.

You can also visit the Cadbury website to browse all their latest products and launches.

It comes as B&M shoppers also went wild for a new twist on the Dream bar.

Meanwhile, chocolate lovers raved about a new type of M&M – the Candy Popcorn M&M Minis.

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Nestle also added a new chocolate to its Quality Street “Favourites Golden Selection” pouch: the Toffee Penny.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Advertisement

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Advertisement

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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Rachel Reeves pools £1.3trillion of pension savings in bid to boost investment in Britain and rip up financial red tape

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Rachel Reeves pools £1.3trillion of pension savings in bid to boost investment in Britain and rip up financial red tape

THE Chancellor last night attempted to win back the City with plans to create pension megafunds to boost investment in Britain and rip up financial red tape.

Just a fortnight after her Budget received a frosty reception, Rachel Reeves told businesses she was still “going for growth”.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, last night agreed that the UK pension system had been 'too fragmented' to encourage 'investment in the real economy'

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Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, last night agreed that the UK pension system had been ‘too fragmented’ to encourage ‘investment in the real economy’Credit: Getty

Ms Reeves wants to create her “megafunds” by pooling £1.3trillion of pension savings held by 86 separate local government schemes.

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She reckons this will create £80billion to invest in British businesses and infrastructure.

The Chancellor borrowed the idea from Canadian and Australian pension schemes, which bundle local government pension schemes together and invest their trillions of dollars in big assets with high growth and profit potential.

She hopes this will not only cut costs for pension schemes by reducing fees to advisers, but will also funnel greater investment into the country’s infrastructure — which is currently being snapped up by overseas pension funds.

READ MORE ON RACHEL REEVES

Canadian pension funds own swathes of British properties and utilities, and just this week bought the UK’s airport operator in a £1.5billion deal.

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Reeves’ idea is not a new one, but pension reform on this scale has not been tackled before.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, last night agreed that the UK pension system had been “too fragmented” to encourage “investment in the real economy”.

In his speech last night he said the UK’s economic potential growth rate had fallen from 2.6 per cent between 1990 to 2008 to just 0.7 per cent, partly because of low productivity.

Tom Selby, public policy director at AJ Bell, said the megafunds must not forget their purpose to deliver good returns for pensioners.

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He said: “In the government’s increasingly desperate search for investment and growth, it is crucial savers and retirees are not forced to pay the price through sub-standard investment return.”

Martin Lewis issues warning for 700,000 workers as National Insurance hikes have ‘direct impact’ on take home pay

The Chancellor, who has said she wants to bring more stability and security to the financial system than the Conservatives, last night conceded it was time to take off the kid gloves.

She said that some of the rules and regulations brought in after the 2008 financial crisis to avoid another banking meltdown had “gone too far”.

Ms Reeves reckons some rules stifled investment.

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She added: “The UK has been regulating for risk, not regulating for growth.”

Rachel Reeves reckons her plan will create £80billion to invest in British businesses and infrastructure

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Rachel Reeves reckons her plan will create £80billion to invest in British businesses and infrastructureCredit: Getty

Firms feel left out after raid

LAST night was a Square Mile schmoozefest that few Brits or businesses could relate to.

As Reeves spoke of growth under chandeliers in the Lord Mayor’s house, shops, pubs and restaurants counted the cost of her £25billion tax raid.

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Retailers feel particularly sore for supporting Labour before the election to then be hit by National Insurance contributions. They also didn’t get business rates reforms.

 Altus Group analysis shows raising taxes on top properties to level the playing field with online retailers actually hits nearly three times more retail, leisure and hospitality firms than online businesses.

Reeves has to renew her charm offensive with firms outside of the City.

Trench warfare for Burb

BURBERRY shares rose yesterday after its new boss outlined an urgent turnaround — and blamed his predecessor for several fashion faux pas.

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Half-year results for Burberry fell by a fifth to £1.1billion in the last six months while it has swung to a £53million loss

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Half-year results for Burberry fell by a fifth to £1.1billion in the last six months while it has swung to a £53million lossCredit: Reuters

Half-year results for the brand fell by a fifth to £1.1billion in the last six months while it has swung to a £53million loss.

Joshua Schulman, who took over as CEO in July, said it was due to “poor decision execution and a lack of focus on core business”.

He also pointed the finger at former CEO Jonathan Akeroyd’s decision to hike handbag prices, when Burberry did not have the same clout as leather goods giants LVMH and Hermes.

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He said it will focus on its heritage of trench coats, which Thomas Burberry started in 1856 with waterproofs.

The US boss, who previously led Michael Kors and Coach, dismissed predictions that he would turn Burberry into similarly more affordable and mass-market brands.

New coal mine ban

THE government has banned any future new coal mining schemes as part of its Clean Power push.

It comes after the UK’s last coal-fired power station Ratcliffe-on-Soar shut last month.

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Coal mining powered Britain for 140 years but Labour wants to become reliant on green renewable energy by 2030.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “The UK’s in prime position to lead the phasing out of coal power, the largest contributor to global emissions.”

Ices Gaza ‘gag’

ICE cream brand BEN & JERRY’S is suing its parent company Unilever, claiming it was silenced from speaking out in support of Palestinians.

It follows the former Unilever boss telling Ben & Jerry’s to stay out of geopolitics after it said it would stop supplying ice cream to the West Bank two years ago.

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The Phish Food maker now says attempts to speak out in support of a ceasefire were blocked, breaching the terms of its settlement in 2022. Unilever said it “rejects the claims and will defend its case.”


INVESTMENT firm London Capital & Finance was a Ponzi scheme, the High Court ruled. It raised about £237million from 11,600 ordinary investors before going bust in 2019.

It depended entirely on new investors paying existing ones, a judge said.


WHS shops fly

WH SMITH yesterday revealed it now makes five times as much profit from its travel network shops than its high street stores after a rapid expansion in US airports.

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The stationery retailer opened 100 new stores last year and is appealing to holidaymakers by selling more cosmetics, gadgets and food products.

It made £202million profit from its travel division compared to £39million from its high street stores in the past year. There are 90 more travel shops still to be opened.

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I won £40million lotto jackpot but moved into a CARAVAN – then my girlfriend broke up with me & all hell broke loose

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I won £40million lotto jackpot but moved into a CARAVAN - then my girlfriend broke up with me & all hell broke loose

A LUCKY lotto winner scooped a whopping £40million jackpot before opting for van life and getting dumped.

Dad-of-two Gareth Bull, 53, scored his winnings in January 2012 after picking up the life-changing ticket on a whim.

Gareth won a whopping £40million in 2012 with his former wife Catherine

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Gareth won a whopping £40million in 2012 with his former wife Catherine
The builder decided to splash out on his own creation, a 6000sq ft dream house, but not before taking to van life

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The builder decided to splash out on his own creation, a 6000sq ft dream house, but not before taking to van lifeCredit: PA
The two-acre plot now has three bars, a pool, a lake, and large four-bedroom property

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The two-acre plot now has three bars, a pool, a lake, and large four-bedroom propertyCredit: PA

The former builder realised he’d won the multi-million pound jackpot the day after he’d bought the ticket and celebrated with his then wife Catherine.

Six-years on, he splurged some of his mammoth fortune on a bungalow in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, only to have it knocked down and move into a caravan.

He said: “My friends said, ‘You’ve won £40,000,000 and moved into a caravan!’”

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When the bungalow was half demolished in 2019 Gareth lived in the remaining rooms so he could stay on site and look after the tools.

Gareth added: “When the rest of the bungalow had to be knocked down, I moved into a caravan on the building site – much to the amusement of my friends.”

Thankfully for Gareth, the move was only temporary as he was in the process of building his dream 6000sq ft house.

“Once I got the green light to go ahead, I started digging and just didn’t stop.”

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Despite being lucky in the lottery Gareth wasn’t as lucky in love, and split with his former wife in 2016, five years after their big win.

He then went on to have a whirlwind relationship with Tenerife bar manager Donna Desporte after they met on a stag do.

His wife was said to have spotted the pair in the background of a televised Anthony Joshua boxing match after they had split.

From reviving ‘dead’ pets to Ibiza benders and living in a caravan – how Lotto winners who scooped £194m splashed cash

Gareth and his new lover had a star-studded nine-month romance after he used the pick up line “Google me” which ended being the title of Donna’s memoir.

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Gareth then struck up a relationship with interior designer Victoria Melling, 48, around the same time he’d taken up caravan life.

After living in his trailer, Gareth was able to build his mega-mansion with the assistance of his new girlfriend.

The pair took to social media to share smitten snaps of couples holidays and luxury hotel stays.

Mum-of-one Victoria helped style the huge four-bedroom property during lockdown and stayed there frequently.

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Despite looking loved-up online, and Victoria describing her lavish lover as a “knight in shining armour,” the couple called it quits after two years of dating.

The Furnish Your Interior shop designer told MailOnline: “I did design his house and I helped design his villa in Tenerife, but we are no longer together.”

The million-pound property boasts a wave-controlled swimming pool, sound-sytems, hot tubs, and a three personalised bars.

He also created an artificial lake, which originally designed to be a pond but increased to the size of two tennis courts.

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The lucky punter added: “I called it ‘Lockdown Lake’, made a little sign with its name on it and invited anyone who needed to rehome their fish to bring them here.”

Ten lucky lotto winners

 MATT MYLES 

Matt Myles won £1,000,000 on April 8 2024. The factory worker immediately jumped on a plane to join a lads holiday he previously couldn’t afford. He now runs a property business and lives in Hereford with his wife and two kids.

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JULIE JEFFERY

Julie Jeffery won £1,038,997 in June 2002. She kept working as a fire station after her win and only retired this year.

SYLVIA 0DOLANT-SMITH

Sylvia Odolant-Smith won £10,000 a month for 30 years. She decided to pay for cancer treatment for her beloved rescue cant Phangan that she couldn’t previously afford. The cat’s life was extended by eight months.

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BRIAN SHARP

Brian Sharp won £2,003,705 in June 19 2010. The grandad-of-five purchased a five bedroom property five days after he won the jackpot. The former electrician worked for six weeks before his work could find a replacement.

BEN LOWTHER

Ben Lowther won £1,000,000 in October 2021. The video game developer won on a Friday and was made redundant the next Monday. He bought a house in Cambridge for his fiancée and three kids.

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LESLEY HIGGINS

Lesley Higgins won £57,975,367 on July 10 2018. The 63-year-old port worker now owns her very own loch after purchasing a 850-acre estate near Perth with her husband Fred.

VIV MOSS

Viv Moss won £6,048,499 on October 3. She and her husband moved to Newquay in Cornwall and bought an apartment overlooking her favourite bay.

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NATALI CUNLIFFE

Natalie Cunliffe won £1,000,000 in February 2016. After the scratch card win the event planner moved to Blackpool with her husband and two kids. Despite buying an Audi Q5 the couple still shops at Aldi.

ANNE CANAVAN

Anne Canavan won £1,054,000 on August 28 in 2015. She 63-year old grandma of five has written a children’s novel she hopes to publish and treated herself to a car.

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RAY WRAGG

Ray Wragg won £7,649,520 in January 2000. The philanthropist gave £5.5million of his Lotto jackpot to family, friends, hospitals and good causes in Sheffield.

Celebrity photographer Rankin brought together 30 jackpot winners for a photoshoot

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Celebrity photographer Rankin brought together 30 jackpot winners for a photoshootCredit: Rankin

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Delivery firm backed by Martin Lewis goes bust owing almost £6million

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Delivery firm backed by Martin Lewis goes bust owing almost £6million

A DELIVERY firm backed by the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, Martin Lewis, has gone bust, leaving shareholders millions of pounds out of pocket.

Magway Limited, an Ocado-backed tech firm that aimed to revolutionise UK deliveries with a network of pipes, has entered voluntary liquidation.

Shareholders, including Martin Lewis, the company's third-biggest investor, are set to lose over £5.7million

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Shareholders, including Martin Lewis, the company’s third-biggest investor, are set to lose over £5.7millionCredit: Alamy
Magway owes over £40,000 in taxes to HMRC and over £47,000 in arrears and holiday pay to employees, leaving just over £74,000 left in the bank

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Magway owes over £40,000 in taxes to HMRC and over £47,000 in arrears and holiday pay to employees, leaving just over £74,000 left in the bankCredit: Magway Limited

Voluntary liquidation is when a company’s directors or shareholders decide to wind up and dissolve the company’s affairs. 

Founded in 2017 by Rupert Cruise, an engineer involved in Elon Musk‘s Hyperloop project, and business expert Phill Davies, the UK startup Magway Limited aimed to revolutionise the freight delivery system. 

Shareholders, including Martin Lewis, the company’s third-biggest investor, are set to lose over £5.7million. 

However, the grand vision has crumbled, and Magway Limited has now appointed liquidators, as first reported by The Grocer.

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The company envisioned transporting goods in pods through new and existing 90cm diameter underground and overground pipes, reducing road congestion and air pollution.

The initial route was planned between Ocado‘s sites in Hatfield and Park Royal, west London, with additional routes intended to link UK airports to small distribution centres. 

Magway also had plans to repurpose over 850km of decommissioned London gas pipelines to create tracks for delivering e-commerce goods directly from distribution centres to consumers in the capital.

The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com had substantial control of the business until 2019, but it is unclear whether he withdrew his investments before the company filed for insolvency.

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A representative for Martin Lewis declined to comment.

Magway owes over £40,000 in taxes to HMRC and over £47,000 in arrears and holiday pay to employees, leaving just over £74,000 left in the bank.

Liquidators Alvarez & Marsal will be selling Magway’s assets, including its intellectual property. 

Phil Davies, the company’s co-founder and chief executive, said, “We were trying to bring in funds from investors and clients but unfortunately ran out of runway.

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“It is a great shame. The team worked tirelessly until the very end.”

Despite this, Davies remains proud of the team’s achievements, stating: “Over the last seven years, we have gained global recognition, won numerous awards, filed multiple patents, and built working prototypes.

“I firmly believe Magway’s innovative technology still holds huge potential.”

Why are shops closing stores?

HARD TIMES FOR BUSINESSES

Last month, The Fourpure brewing company was placed into administration to “protect itself from market pressures”.

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Administration is when all control of a company is passed to an appointed licensed insolvency practitioner.

It doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the business.

Instead, administrators will try to help a company find ways to repay debts or solve its cash flow problems.

Its beers, such as Pomegranate IPA and Juiced Mango and Raspberry, are stocked in major supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Ocado.

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However, it’s not just small businesses that are taking a hit.

Major DIY and homeware chain Homebase crashed into administration yesterday.

Chris Dawson, owner of The Range, rescued 70 stores through a pre-pack administration deal.

The buyout has saved approximately 1,600 jobs, but around 2,000 jobs and 49 stores face uncertainty.

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Administrators will now look for buyers for the remaining Homebase stores, which will continue to operate as usual for the time being.

In September, Tupperware Brands, the US maker of food storage containers, filed for bankruptcy.

In a statement to investors, Tupperware’s chief executive Laurie Ann Goldman, said the business had struggled amidst a “challenging” overall global economic outlook.

The rising cost of raw materials, higher wages and transportation costs has seen the company struggle financially.

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Goldman added: “As a result, we explored numerous strategic options and determined this is the best path forward.

“This process is meant to provide us with essential flexibility as we pursue strategic alternatives to support our transformation into a digital-first, technology-led company better positioned to serve our stakeholders.”

Cosmetics company Avon also filed for bankruptcy after multiple lawsuits and financial struggles back in August.

What is bankruptcy?

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BANKRUPTCY is a legal process whereby individuals can have their debts wiped.

In the UK, bankruptcy is typically applied to individuals who owe more than they can pay.

During a bankruptcy period, individuals face restrictions such as a maximum amount they can borrow.

Someone is usually discharged from bankruptcy after 12 months which means they are free from most debts.

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However, their credit rating usually takes a hit which can impact whether they are approved for mortgages, credit or a personal loan.

Businesses who are struggling to pay off their debts usually face corporate insolvency.

Insolvency lets a company either restructure and recover financially or be wound up and its assets liquidated.

There are three main types of corporate insolvency, which are:

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  • Administration
  • Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)
  • Liquidation

Ted Baker collapsed into administration back in March and all 46 stores shut forever.

The Body Shop met a similar fate in February.

Wilko entered administration in August last year after PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) failed to secure a rescue bidder.

However, the brand name has since made a comeback on the high street despite the closure of 400 stores.

Since the start of 2023, Paperchase, M&Co, and Cath Kidston have also fallen into administration.

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Money

Map reveals Britain’s cheapest postcodes where you can buy a home for £80k on average – does your hometown make the cut?

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Map reveals Britain's cheapest postcodes where you can buy a home for £80k on average - does your hometown make the cut?

A MAP has revealed Britain’s cheapest postcodes where homes cost as little as £80,000.

Homebuyers in dual-income households now face paying nearly four times their total income to purchase an average property, according to Zoopla.

Workington Harbourwith with the Lake District in the distance, where the average house price is £222,200

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Workington Harbourwith with the Lake District in the distance, where the average house price is £222,200Credit: Getty
The marina in Plymouth

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The marina in PlymouthCredit: PA
Croydon is the most affordable place to live in London, according to Zoopla

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Croydon is the most affordable place to live in London, according to ZooplaCredit: Getty

The property website claimed households, where both partners work full-time, typically pay 3.8 times their annual household income to buy a home.

Single buyers in Britain typically face paying 7.6 times their annual income to purchase a home.

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Zoopla analysed house price-to-earnings ratios to identify the most affordable areas across the UK’s nations and regions, using data based on a two-earner household with an average local salary.

The online property marketplace found that in Cumnock in East Ayrshire, Scotland, and Shildon in County Durham in the North East of England, the average house price is 1.1 times typical household earnings.

The most affordable location in London was still above the national average affordability ratio for a two-earner household.

Zoopla identified Croydon as the most affordable area in London, with homes costing approximately 4.7 times local incomes.

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Izabella Lubowiecka, a senior property researcher at Zoopla, said: “London remains the least affordable area for home-buyers.

“Those in London looking to get more for their money may want to consider buying in one of the South East and East of England’s commuter belt, where there are many towns that are more affordable than London.

“The same is true in markets around many regional cities and we see buyers seeking value for money.”

NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark president Toby Leek said: “Affordability for many is a real issue and, as purse strings remain tightened despite easing factors such as slight drops in inflation, prospective and current home-owners will be looking to enter the market with caution, but also, in some cases, further flexibility in where they nest themselves.

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The Sun’s James Flanders explains how to find the best deal on your mortgage

“As many people no longer have the restriction of basing themselves from a static office full-time, they are able to look elsewhere to actually step onto the housing ladder for the first time or find their next, more affordable dream home.”

The report was released alongside research commissioned by Santander UK, which found that nearly three-quarters (73%) of potential first-time buyers would consider relocating to new towns.

This contrasts with 57% of “second steppers” planning to move from their first home and 41% of those looking to downsize in later life.

Among those unwilling to move, several expressed concerns about housing quality.

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However, others stated that the availability of healthcare facilities and green spaces would make them more likely to consider relocating.

According to a survey of over 4,000 people in September, 47% of prospective first-time buyers cited affordability as a major hurdle.

Graham Sellar, head of business development – mortgages, at Santander, said: “New towns have incredible potential but, to maximise the impact they can have, they must be built with the people who will call them home in mind.

“Our research shows just how important it is to create lively communities with green spaces as well as easy access to healthcare when it comes to appealing to more home-buyers.”

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It comes after the UK’s most expensive and cheapest areas to buy or rent a home were revealed in a recent study.

And a forgotten “seaside” town with plenty of tourists has some of the UK’s cheapest homes – but locals have never been to the shingle beach.

The most affordable locations

Here are the most affordable locations in each nation or region, according to Zoopla, based on a two-income household, with the postal town followed by the average house value, the estimated annual household income and the house value-to-earnings ratio:

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  • East Midlands, Gainsborough, £170,000 – £70,500, 2.4
  • East of England, Wisbech, £209,800 – £70,900, 3.0
  • South East, Dover, £250,000 – £79,300, 3.2
  • South West, Plymouth, £222,200 – £68,300, 3.3
  • Wales, Ferndale, £101,600 – £67,700, 1.5
  • West Midlands, Stoke-On-Trent, £139,200 – £62,100, 2.2
  • Yorkshire and the Humber, Hull, £119,800 – £62,200, 1.9
  • London, Croydon, £417,800 – £84,800, 4.7
  • North East, Shildon, £73,200 – £65,800, 1.1
  • North West, Workington, £123,700 – £76,900, 1.6
  • Scotland, Cumnock, £80,300 – £75,800, 1.1

Source: Zoopla

How to buy your first home

Getting on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home.

Lifetime ISA – This is a Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to £32,000 towards their first home.

You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add 25% on top.

Shared ownership – Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount.

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You can buy anything from 25% to 75% of the property but you’re restricted to specific ones.

Mortgage guarantee scheme – Available for first-time buyers and those who’ve owned a property before who have a minimum 5% deposit.

It can be used to buy any type of home so long as you don’t pay more than £600,000 for it.

By providing a guarantee that the government will cover some of a lender’s losses if a borrower can’t afford to repay their mortgage and the home is repossessed – more lenders are prepared to lend up to 95%.

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First-Time Buyer Tips

IF you’re looking to take your first step onto the property ladder, why not sign up to our new first-time buyer newsletter.

Buying your first home can be scary and confusing, but our five-part series will cover everything you need to know.

From ways to boost your chances of getting a top-rate mortgage to preparing for your move, The Sun’s new first-time buyer newsletter has got you covered.

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An aerial view of a rural countryside under a bright sky in New Cumnock, Scotland

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An aerial view of a rural countryside under a bright sky in New Cumnock, ScotlandCredit: Getty
The average annual income in Stoke-on-Trent is £62,100

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The average annual income in Stoke-on-Trent is £62,100Credit: Getty
The average house price in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is £170,000

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The average house price in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is £170,000Credit: Getty
A view of houses in Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley

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A view of houses in Ferndale in the Rhondda ValleyCredit: Getty
Residents in Wisbech are paying an estimated 3 times more than their annual income on properties

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Residents in Wisbech are paying an estimated 3 times more than their annual income on propertiesCredit: Getty
The average house price in Dover is around £250,000

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The average house price in Dover is around £250,000Credit: Getty

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