Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget on 30 October “more than ever highlights the importance of financial advice”.

This is what Triple Point regional business development manager Lucy Dolan said on a panel at the Money Marketing Interactive conference in Leeds today (24 October).

Speaking on the same panel Moran Wealth Management founder Nicola Crosbie added that there has been a lot of “panic and hysteria” surrounding the Budget.

“The need for tax planning advice will increase” as a result, Crosbie added.

She said that at the moment it is all speculation, but “we need to have a plan in place to help clients quickly following the Budget”.

Dolan, on a more positive note, said: “We have been through a lot of change before and come out of it on the other side”.

Still, her diary is packed with post budget sessions and webinars.

Syndaxi Financial Planning managing director Robert Reid also asked the audience how many had been asked about tax-free cash in the run-up to the Budget.

The majority of those attendance raised their hands.

Dolan also spoke about venture capital trusts (VCTs) and enterprise investment schemes (EIS).

EIS and VCTs enable businesses to secure equity investment and grow rapidly, with tax reliefs helping reduce investors risk, she said.

In regards to the abolition of the lifetime allowance (LTA), Crosbie said she does not believe it will be reintroduced.

Reeves initially indicated that Labour would reverse this move, which was originally announced by then chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

However, Labour dropped plans to reintroduce the pension LTA, saying it would be “too complex”.

This move was widely welcomed by the financial services industry.

A MAJOR energy firm is giving thousands of customers free electricity this Halloween.

E.ON Next, which serves 5.6 million customers in the UK, is offering selected customers free electricity this Halloween.

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The energy firm has begun emailing chosen customers, encouraging them to take advantage of this special offer. 

Customers who download the E.ON Next app can receive a £5 credit on their electricity bill for Halloween.

The email sent to participants reads: “No tricks this Halloween, just a treat on us.

“Here’s a scarily good deal! Get a day’s worth of free electricity on us, just by following three simple steps.”

To claim the reward, customers who receive the email must first download the E.ON Next app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

After downloading the app, they need to log in to their E.ON Next account within 48 hours.

Once these steps are completed, customers can claim a free £5 energy credit, which will be applied to their electricity bill on October 31.

E.ON Next states that the £5 credit is equivalent to the average daily cost of electricity in the UK, meaning it will cover a full day’s electricity usage for most customers.

However, customers with a prepayment meter will not be eligible for this offer.

Reacting to the news of the offer on Facebook, one customer said: “Decent, that’ll cover boiling the kettle.”

Another said: “This can be really helpful for those who are struggling!”

“I downloaded their app, and it’s the first thing that pops up once signed in,” said a third.

Eligible customers have until 10am tomorrow (October 25) to redeem the offer before it closes for good.

E.ON Next said that the £5 credit will appear as ‘Free energy credit’ on online accounts, paper statements, and bills.

Customers who aren’t with E.ON Next can still get access to free bill credits by taking part in a number of energy-saving schemes.

OTHER WAYS TO GET FREE ENERGY CREDITS

A number of energy suppliers reward customers with discounts or credit when they change the way they use their gas and electricity usage.

These schemes, offered by the likes of British Gas, EDF, Octopus and Ovo Energy, can help customers save money this winter.

Here’s everything you need to know.

British Gas

British Gas‘ Peak Save Sundays scheme offers millions of customers half-price electricity for using their energy during certain hours.

It offers qualifying customers half price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.

The energy firm said over 650,000 customers had already signed up to the scheme, saving a combined £13million between them.

You can sign up to the scheme by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html.

The supplier will then be in touch with you if your application is successful.

After that, your savings will appear as “PeakSave Credit” on your next energy bill or online statement.

Be aware that you can only sign up to the scheme if you have a smart credit or prepayment meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.

If you don’t have a smart meter, don’t worry, British Gas will install one for free in your home.

EDF Energy

EDF offers customers the opportunity to run their homes for no cost if they take part in a new challenge.

To get the hours of free electricity, customers must cut down on using electrical devices during “peak hours”, which tend to be between 4pm-7pm Monday to Friday.

In return, EDF will give customers free electricity on Sundays when demand to the energy grid tends to be lower.

The more electricity customers shift to off-peak times, the more free electricity they can earn.

Customers who manage to cut back their usage by 40% during the week can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity to use on a Sunday.

To take part, customers need a smart meter.

To find out more, visit edfenergy.com/energy-efficiency/sunday-saver-challenge.

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy customers who are signed up to the “Octoplus” can take part in free electricity sessions when wholesale prices fall below zero.

The sessions last an hour, and customers can use electricity for free and receive credits for using more than they typically would.

All customers with a smart meter, including smart prepay meters, receive an alert the day before each session.

When the session begins, they can ramp up their electricity usage – whether it’s charging gadgets, running a laundry marathon, or any other household activity.

Any extra electricity consumed beyond their normal usage will be credited back to their account.

Find out more by visiting octopus.energy/free-electricity/.

Ovo Energy

Ovo Energy also offers a scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.

Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they use 8.50% or less of their home’s total electricity between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.

For example, by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm in the evening to catch up on TV.

You can sign up by visiting ovoenergy.com/power-move.

What energy bill help is available?

There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

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This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

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For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

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Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

Titan Wealth has entered into an agreement to acquire Channel Islands-based Ravenscroft Investments Limited.

The deal takes Titan Wealth’s total assets under management/advice to £27.2bn.

Ravenscroft Investments Limited is a wealth management services business operating in both Guernsey and Jersey.

It provides a wide range of services to clients, including discretionary investment management, fund management and advisory investment services.

The firm employs around 100 staff to manage private and institutional clients and is one of the largest wealth managers in the Channel Islands.

The acquisition is part of Titan Wealth’s attempt to grow its international advice proposition, both organically and through further acquisitions.

Ravenscroft Investments Limited will rebrand as Titan Wealth International next year to provide key operating capabilities offshore.

The business also complements Titan Wealth’s own institutional dealing and wealth platform services in the UK.

Last year, Titan also acquired Ravenscroft’s UK investment management business.

However, the corporate finance and property management businesses of the wider Ravenscroft group are not included in the transaction.

Founder Jon Ravenscroft will remain with the business, which will retain the Ravenscroft name. He will also be a significant shareholder in the Titan Wealth group.

Titan Wealth joint group CEO and head of M&A, Andrew Fearon, said: “The acquisition of Ravenscroft Investments Limited in the Channel Islands is a significant milestone in our strategy to deliver Titan Wealth’s unique client to custody offering to clients and advisers in multiple international jurisdictions.

“Closely following our acquisition of Dubai-based planning firm AHR, we have now made significant progress in expanding our differentiated and integrated proposition for international clients and advisers.

“With investment management and investment funds in both Ireland and the Channel Islands, offshore platform and custody solutions in the Channel Islands and the ability to provide financial advice in both the UAE and Europe and other jurisdictions, we can service our clients wherever they may choose to live.”

Ravenscroft MD of operations, Robin Newbould, added: “The time is now right for Ravenscroft’s wealth management business to become part of a bigger company and have a strategic role in its future expansion.

“Titan Wealth was impressed with the skills and expertise of our team and its commitment to clients and it is exciting for the Channel Islands that we will become the hub for Titan’s international growth.”

SHOPPERS have been left bewildered after M&S axed a key delivery service ahead of Christmas.

Eagle-eyed customers have spotted that you can no longer buy cases of wine from the upmarket grocer’s website.

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Curious fans of the service took to X, formally known as Twitter, to find out why they could no longer purchase cases of wine from its online store.

One said: “@marksandspencer Are they not selling cases of wine online anymore, I can’t find any?”.

Previously, households could order cases of six or 12 bottles of wine and get them dropped off at their house.

The retailer stocked a range of different flavours and ranges including, packs of entirely white, red or a mixed selection.

Customers loved the service, with one describing it as “absolutely fabulous” and “such a good buy”.

In reviews left on the M&S website shoppers also shared how the large selection of wine was great to order over Christmas and the festive season.

One user wrote: “Delicious, well worth the money. Ideal for Christmas dinner table.”

While another said: “Really nice wine, great value. I bought it to give out as Christmas gifts and tried a bottle.”

However, shoppers will no longer be able to purchase the cases from the retailer’s website anymore.

M&S has confirmed to The Sun that the option has been axed.

Representatives for the retailer said: “Cases of wine are no longer available on the M&S website; we do have a brand-new selection of drinks gifting online for customers sending to loved ones.  

“For those looking to order wine online, please check out our offer on Ocado. When shopping in-store customers will also have a buy four save 10% offer”.

The Percy-Pig maker owns 50% of Ocado retail and uses the online grocery store to sell its food items online.

It then has a separate website, M&S.com. where customers can shop for clothing, makeup and homeware.

On the Ocado website, customers will have to add six bottles individually, they can not be purchased as a case.

The price will still be the same as what M&S charged for a case, so if you bought six bottles of a £7.50 wine it will cost £45.

If you would prefer to shop in person you can head to your nearest M&S and buy a case of wine at one of its stores.

You can find the closest one to you by visiting https://marksandspencer.com/s/communications/MSResStoreFinderGlobalBaseCmd.

It is not unusual for M&S to switch up its product ranges.

Last week, The Sun revealed its vegan range was undergoing a major revamp, which would see meat alternatives sold alongside traditional meat products.

As part of the change, products such as the Plant Kitchen Margherita Sourdough Pizza will not return to stores until January.

This has not impressed some customers with one describing it as a “terrible” idea in a Reddit post.

Earlier this year the store said it would axe some of the treats from its Colin and Connie sweet range as part of a product relaunch.

Over the summer, M&S scrapped its Colin and Connie “Together Forever” sweets.

M&S also confirmed that it is quietly axing the Colin The Caterpillar Fizzy Rainbow sweets.

The sweets were rainbow in colour with a sour sugary coating.

The retail also quietly axed its beloved pre-mixed cans of Pink Gin and Tonic, leaving customers devasted.

What else is new at M&S?

Thankfully, it is not all doom and gloom for M&S shoppers as the retailer confirmed it will bring back an iconic drink this Christmas.

The supermarket’s original snow globe gin liqueur will make a return for the holidays after a hiatus.

Previously, the gin came in two flavours – Clementine and Spiced Sugar Plum – but this year, only the Clementine one will be sold.

The store has started rolling out its entire Christmas range to shoppers, which includes hot honey over halloumi in blankets brie brulee, and Turkey Feast dip.

M&S’s food-to-order range for the holidays is also now open for online orders and collection between December 22 and December 24.

Why are products axed or recipes changed?

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ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.

Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.

They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.

There are several reasons why this could be done.

For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.

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Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.

They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.

For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.

It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.

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Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.

Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.

While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.