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NatWest ‘worst bank’ for paying back fraud victims

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NatWest ‘worst bank’ for paying back fraud victims

NatWest has also come under fire for limiting its customers’ access to cash, amid fears that Britain is being forced towards a cashless society.

The bank told current account holders that it is bringing in new conditions that could impose “daily and annual” cash withdrawal and deposit limits, and “limiting the amount of cash” paid in or taken out.

NatWest said it was making the change to protect its customers from the risk of fraud.

The Financial Ombudsman Service added that anyone who felt they had been treated unfairly by their bank should get in touch with the service.

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A spokesman said: “We are a free, independent service set up to resolve financial disputes informally and fairly. Each case is investigated on its own merits.”

NatWest was approached for comment. 

A spokesman for Santander said it had a sophisticated scam detection and prevention system in place, adding: “When a customer does unfortunately fall victim to fraud, Santander supports customers in understanding what happened as well as attempting to recover lost funds, including refunding customers where appropriate. 

“Customers should always think carefully before sending any money and can find more information on how to spot scams on the Santander website.”

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A spokesman for HSBC said: “While we regularly receive over 1,000 scam reports each month, only a small proportion of these are escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service. We will continue to strive for excellence in each and every customer interaction and learn from those cases that are overturned to help develop our processes and procedures to better protect and serve our customers.” 

A spokesman for UK Finance said: “Fraud has a devastating impact on victims and the banking industry spends billions on efforts to prevent it from happening in the first place and keep customers safe. 

“For those that do fall victim to fraud, the banking sector is the only one that reimburses customers, paying out hundreds of millions each year. 

“This is despite the fact the vast majority of APP fraud starts on social media or via telecommunications.”

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Bitcoin Surges Past $90,000 After Trump Election Win

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Trump Crypto Surge Pushes Bitcoin Beyond $90,000 Amid Market Shake-Up

In a historic rally, Bitcoin has broken through the $90,000 mark following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, a monumental leap driven by the former president’s crypto-friendly stance. The cryptocurrency, which stood at $36,000 a year ago, has surged on Trump’s campaign promises to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet” and accumulate a national Bitcoin reserve. As expectations build around regulatory relaxations, Bitcoin is now eyeing the $100,000 milestone, potentially reaching it before Trump takes office.

Yesterday saw Bitcoin’s price rise from $88,000 to over $93,000. Meanwhile, the broader markets reacted cautiously to the latest U.S. inflation report, which held steady at 2.6%. New York indices made small gains in early trading, while London’s FTSE 100 ended with a slight increase of 0.06%, closing at 8,030.33. At one point, it dipped below 8,000 for the first time since August, and the FTSE 250 dropped 0.34%, ending the day at 20,359.21.

Shifts in Traditional Markets Amid Bitcoin Buzz

While Bitcoin captured the financial world’s attention, traditional markets showed mixed reactions. New York’s major indices saw modest growth, whereas London’s markets struggled with more subdued gains. Dowlais, a key player in the automotive industry, led the FTSE 250 gainers board after reporting stable trading performance. Despite a decline in its electric powertrain division, the company’s shares jumped 6.7% to 51.3p, as underlying revenue for the year fell by 6.1% to £4.2 billion. Dowlais, spun off from the GKN empire in 2023, has faced challenges in its primary market but received positive investor support, particularly outside China where joint venture revenue stayed flat.

Smiths Group, a FTSE 100 company, was among the day’s biggest winners, climbing 10.5% to 1681p. The medical and airport scanners firm raised its full-year revenue growth outlook to between 5% and 7% after posting 16% organic revenue growth for the first quarter. On the other hand, private equity firm Intermediate Capital took a hit, falling 7.2% to 2078p as its half-year pre-tax profits dropped from £241.9 million to £198.4 million, despite a rise in net asset value. Similarly, Experian saw a 2.5% decline as interest rate movements contributed to a 5.9% drop in first-half pre-tax profit.

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Automotive and Energy Sector Developments

In the automotive sector, Dowlais’ Driveline division outperformed other global light vehicle production markets, with the exception of China, providing some optimism to investors after a challenging period since its spin-off from Melrose Industries in 2023.

Scottish energy giant SSE saw a modest dip of 0.6% after announcing the upcoming retirement of CEO Alistair Phillips-Davies, who has served at the company’s helm for 11 years. Nevertheless, SSE reported a 38% rise in half-year pre-tax profit and boosted its interim dividend by 6%, signaling continued strong performance despite executive turnover.

Bitcoin’s Future and Market Uncertainty

Bitcoin’s unprecedented rally has fueled hope for continued growth in the cryptocurrency market under a Trump administration that has vowed to embrace digital assets. Traditional markets, however, remain cautious as they navigate the latest inflation figures and other economic challenges. While Bitcoin’s record-breaking surge has brought renewed enthusiasm to the digital asset sector, the broader financial landscape continues to grapple with sector-specific issues and the potential effects of economic policies under new leadership.

With Trump’s support energizing the cryptocurrency sector, the question remains whether this momentum can sustain Bitcoin’s upward trajectory. As the U.S. economy and global markets adapt to changing conditions, both traditional and digital assets will be closely watched to see if this surge heralds a new era for Bitcoin and crypto investments.

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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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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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Read the full article here.

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Lidl Christmas Freeway Truck TRACKER: Free gifts and £100 shopping ‘Golden Tickets’ up for grabs as UK tour begins

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Lidl Christmas Freeway Truck TRACKER: Free gifts and £100 shopping 'Golden Tickets' up for grabs as UK tour begins

The full route

The tour kicks off today in Dundee’s Slessor Gardens, followed by stops in Harrogate on Saturday and Hull on Sunday.

Lidl’s Christmas Freeway Truck hits the road!

Lidl’s Christmas Freeway truck is bringing festive cheer to towns and cities across the UK for the first time ever! From November 14th until December 1st, this mobile celebration will stop at nine locations, offering free gifts, food tastings, and plenty of holiday fun.

At each stop, the first 250 visitors will receive a special box filled with Middle of Lidl goodies. Plus, 1 in 10 boxes will contain a ‘Golden Ticket’ worth £100 towards your Lidl Christmas shop!

Visitors can also sample holiday treats like panettone, snowmallows, and alcohol-free mulled wine, and enjoy the Magical Wish-mas Booth to share their Christmas wishes.

Credit: Lidl

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Fans Lose £346 on Average

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Oasis Fans Hit by Costly Ticket Scams Amid Tour Frenzy, Bank Warns

Loyal Oasis fans, eager to secure tickets for the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour, have become prime targets for scammers, with victims losing an average of £346, according to new findings from Lloyds Bank. The bank’s analysis reveals that people aged 35 to 44 are most at risk, making up nearly a third (31%) of reported cases. In some cases, fans lost as much as £1,000 as scammers exploited the surge in ticket demand.

Lloyds’ data, gathered from reports made by customers across Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland between August 27 and September 25, paints a clear picture: fake advertisements and posts on social media accounted for over 90% of the ticket scam cases, with around 70% involving Oasis fans. Scammers typically use social media to post fake listings, offering discounted or “exclusive” tickets to sold-out events. After victims make an upfront payment, the scammers disappear, leaving fans with no tickets and a financial loss.

“Fraudsters Wasting No Time Targeting Oasis Fans”

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said, “Predictably, fraudsters wasted no time in targeting loyal Oasis fans as they scrambled to pick up tickets for next year’s must-see reunion tour.” She emphasized the importance of purchasing tickets directly from reliable sources: “Buying directly from reputable, authorised retailers is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a genuine ticket.”

Ziegler also warned against using bank transfers to pay unknown sellers, especially on social media platforms, saying, “If you’re asked to pay via bank transfer, particularly by a seller you’ve found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing.”

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New Fraud Reimbursement Rules Aim to Protect Consumers

The rise in scams comes as new mandatory reimbursement rules for authorised push payment (APP) fraud took effect last month. Overseen by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the rules require banks to reimburse victims of fraud unless there is evidence of gross negligence by the customer. A reimbursement cap of £85,000 has been set, although banks may choose to refund higher amounts. The new protections apply to transactions made from October 7 onwards, offering an extra layer of security for victims.

Previously, a voluntary reimbursement code provided some relief for fraud victims, along with bank-specific refund guarantees. However, these new, more stringent rules mark a step forward in protecting consumers against payment fraud, helping to ensure that those tricked into transferring money to fraudsters have a better chance of recovery.

Tips for Avoiding Ticket Scams

With ticket scams spiking during high-demand events, Lloyds offers practical advice to help fans avoid falling victim:

  1. Purchase from Trusted Sources: Only buy tickets from official retailers or authorized resellers, avoiding unknown sellers on social media.
  2. Avoid Bank Transfers to Unknown Sellers: If a seller insists on a bank transfer, it’s a major red flag. Scammers prefer bank transfers because they’re hard to trace.
  3. Stay Alert as Event Dates Approach: Scammers often strike twice—first when tickets go on sale, and again as the event nears. Increased vigilance during these times can prevent potential losses.

The Oasis ticket scam surge is a reminder of the importance of secure purchasing and highlights the ongoing threat of fraud in high-demand markets. With new rules in place, fans who fall victim may now have better protection, but the best safeguard remains buying from trusted sources and staying alert to red flags in the digital marketplace.

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Thousands of people could be missing out on £2,212 going unclaimed in lost bank accounts – how to check if you’re one – The Sun

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The government is urging 18 to 22-year-olds to come forward and claim an account with an average £2,212 waiting for them.

Right now, £1.4bn is sitting in Child Trust Funds that have matured but haven’t been accessed – forgotten cash that could make a huge difference to your finances. 

Young people are being urged to claim the accounts

1

Young people are being urged to claim the accounts

“Many parents and children aren’t aware they even have the account, or don’t know who the money is with or how to track it down,” said Charlene Young, pensions and savings expert at AJ Bell.

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If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 and your parents received Child Benefit, chances are you have a Child Trust Fund Account (CTF) waiting for you. 

CTFs were launched in 2005 to encourage parents to save for their kids’ future.

Most parents or guardians got a £250 voucher from the government to set up an account a CTF, or £500 if the family had a low income.

For those born after August 2010, your voucher may only have been £50.

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Parents or guardians could add money over the years, enjoying tax-free growth. Even if they didn’t do anything with the voucher, the taxman may have opened an account on your behalf.

The cash has been growing all this time, and now, as those kids turn 18, they have a right to claim that CTF cash – averaging over £2,200 each.

The problem is, around a million people have no idea they have a CTF waiting for them.

“More than a quarter of CTF accounts were set up by the government because parents failed to do so within the 12-month window,” Ms Young said.

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“This highlights why so many are unclaimed- as the parents either weren’t aware or won’t remember that an account was even set up for their child, let alone where the money is now.”  

Last year, the government estimated that’s a whopping 42% of 18–20-year-olds haven’t claimed theirs.

How track down your CTF

Tracking down your Child Trust Fund is easy. The government has an online tool that will tell you which provider holds your account. Just go to www.gov.uk/child-trust-fund/find-a-chid-trust-fund

If you’re 16 or over, you can look for your own CTF. Otherwise, a parent or guardian can track it down for you. All you need is your full name, address and date of birth.

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Once you know which bank or investment firm holds your CTF, contact them for your account details.

Finding your own CTF is simple, so don’t be tempted by companies offering to do it for you.

Many will take up to 25% of your cash for just a few minutes’ work you could easily do yourself.

What to do with the money once you have it

After you’ve tracked down your account, think carefully about what you are going to do with your money.

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If you’re lucky, you’ve just got a four-figure sum, and how you use it could help shape your future.

One option is to move the money into a Lifetime ISA. These tax-free accounts can be used to save for your first home or retirement, with the government throwing in a 25% bonus on anything you deposit.

So, the average CTF balance of £2,200 would jump to £2,750 if placed into a Lifetime ISA.

“If you then invested it to age 30, and it grew at 5% a year, even if you put nothing else in, it could be worth £5,005,” said Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.

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If you added the full £4,000 Lifetime ISA allowance each year as well, by the time you were 30 you could have £75,000 towards your first home.

Another option is to boost your retirement by putting your CTF money straight into a pension.

“If you put £2,200 into a pension at 18 (and got basic rate tax relief on it) and it grow at 5% to the age of 70, it might be worth £35,353,” Ms Coles explained.

Or, use it to cut the cost of university.

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Borrowing £2,200 on a student loan and leaving it unpaid for 39 years, with long-running RPI at 5.3%, compounding daily, would add up to £15,180 in interest alone, according to Ms Coles’ figures. 

So, putting that £2,200 toward your student loan now could save you over £15,000 in interest in the long run.

“At this age £2,200 can make an enormous different,” Ms Coles said.

“Many people are at the stage in life when they are earning less – or nothing at all – and yet are still wrestling with horrible outgoings.

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“It can transform everyday life, possibly by providing a rental deposit so you can afford to move out or repaying debts to get you back on track.

“It can help fund your studies, or it can be saved or invested for life’s milestones, from buying a house to retirement.

“It’s why it’s so essential people are reunited with this money, to give it a chance to make the difference at a time when it counts for so much.”

Avoid large fees

Even if your child isn’t 18 yet, it is worth finding their CTF now. If you don’t, you could find they have less cash when it matures due to the massive fees your CTF provider may be charging.

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A report last year from the Public Accounts Committee found that many CTF providers charge huge management fees, with some taking 1.5% a year or charging high fixed fees. In contrast, many Junior ISAs charge just 0.25% in fees. 

“If you have a Child Trust Fund worth £1,000 a £25 fee is equivalent to 5% a year, likely eating up most or all of your investment gains,” said Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell.

“On smaller accounts the charges could even be worth more than the investment growth.

“One recently reported case saw an unfortunate saver left with just £12.39 in their account after charges.

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“That’s about enough to drown your sorrows in a pint and pick up a kebab on the way home – you’ll need to walk though as there isn’t enough to cover the taxi too.”

Find your CTF and move it into a Junior ISA to cut fees and protect your cash.

Where to find the best savings rates

Many savings accounts offer miserly rates meaning that money is generating little or no return.

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However, there are ways to get your cash working hard. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to make sure you money is getting the best interest rate.

Easy access savings accounts offer flexibility for customers, meaning they can dip in and out of cash when needed. However, the caveat is that rates can change at any time.

If you’re keeping your money in an easy access account, you’ll need to keep checking whether it’s the best paying account for your circumstances and move if not.

Check in at least once a month to see what is happening in the market.

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Check what is offered by your bank – sometimes the best rates are for customers only.

But do search the wider market as often top savings accounts are offered by lesser known providers.

Comparison sites are a good place to check for the top rates. Try Moneyfactscompare.co.uk or Moneysupermarket.

You can search by different account type. You’ll usually get a better interest rate if you can lock your money away for a fixed amount of time, but it’s always a good idea to keep some money in an easy access account in case of emergencies.

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Don’t overlook regular savings accounts often pay some of the best rates, but you’ll need to commit to monthly payments. This can be a great way to get into a savings habit while earning top rates at the same time.

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UK Pension ‘Megafunds’ to Boost Economic Growth in Major Reform

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Pension ‘Megafunds’ to Supercharge UK Economy in Major Reform Push

In an ambitious bid to overhaul the nation’s pension landscape, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled plans for what she’s calling the “biggest pension reform in decades.” The government aims to consolidate the UK’s 86 council pension schemes into a smaller number of “pension megafunds,” modeled after successful schemes in Australia and Canada. These large-scale funds are expected to drive billions of pounds into vital UK sectors like energy infrastructure, tech start-ups, and public services.

Building a British Model Based on Global Success

Reeves told the BBC that the current setup of UK public sector pension funds is too fragmented to yield strong returns for British savers. “Our pension funds in Britain are too small to be making the investments that get a good return for people saving for retirement and to help our economy to grow,” she emphasized.

In countries like Canada and Australia, pensions for local government employees—teachers, civil servants, and more—are pooled into a few large funds, allowing for significant global investments. “They probably have the best pension funds anywhere in the world,” Reeves said, aiming to replicate this successful model in the UK.

A Strategic Push to Drive Economic Growth

The new pension megafunds are part of Reeves’ broader strategy to drive economic growth. Her announcement comes on the heels of rising business discontent over the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, which were included in the Budget. While acknowledging the critiques, Reeves defended the move, saying, “I’m not immune to those criticisms, but it was necessary to increase taxes” to ensure public services are well-funded and the state’s finances remain stable.

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The consolidation effort involves merging the council pension funds—which collectively hold £354 billion in assets and are currently managed by local government officials—into megafunds run by fund managers. Reeves highlighted that these larger funds would be encouraged to invest in their local economies, setting specific targets for local investment as part of their mandates.

Private Sector Reforms and Unlocking Billions for UK Investment

The government’s pension reforms also target the private sector, aiming to set minimum size limits for defined contribution schemes, which manage around £800 billion in assets. This move seeks to consolidate the 60 or so multi-employer schemes to create more efficient, high-yield investment opportunities.

If successful, the government’s plans could release a staggering £80 billion into the UK economy, according to their estimates. Reeves emphasized that the current situation, where Canadian and Australian pension funds hold significant investments in UK assets while British savers do not, “made no sense at all.” She added, “It’s about time British pensioners benefitted from the long-term growth opportunities that exist right here in the UK

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