Caroline Laudren Quillet - Independent Financial Adviser

16/10/2026

AI, borrowing costs and retirement expectations: a changing economic picture.

AI investment is driving growth, while energy pressures and uncertainty continue to affect economies worldwide.
In this week’s News in Review, we explore the latest developments and what they could mean for households and businesses:

▪️ AI’s growing economic influence as investment reshapes global trade.
▪️ Rising UK borrowing costs, with long-term gilt yields under pressure.
▪️ A resurgence in remortgaging amid uncertainty over mortgage pricing.
▪️ The retirement expectation gap, with UK workers expecting to retire more than five years later than they would like.
▪️ A new look for UK banknotes, with wildlife set to take centre stage.

These headlines highlight how closely the wider economy connects with our everyday finances and future plans.

📖 Read the full article here: https://cnsq.co.uk/2026/10/14/news-in-review-299/

15/10/2026

“Is it too late to start a pension at 51?”

Someone recently asked me this question, and my answer was simple: absolutely not! 51 is not too late. In fact, you could still have many years ahead of you to build a pension and make your money work for your future.

And a pension isn't just about retirement. It can also be a very tax-efficient way to save while you're working.

💷 If you're self-employed as a sole trader, personal pension contributions can benefit from tax relief, subject to the relevant limits and rules.
🏢 If you run a limited company, employer pension contributions may be an allowable business expense for corporation tax purposes, provided the relevant conditions are met.

⏳ And what about the time you have left? Under current rules, someone aged 51 may be able to access their pension from age 57, depending on their age and their need.
Thats potentially six years of investment growth and compounding before you can access it — and you could leave the money invested for much longer if you dont need it straight away.
Of course, investment returns arent guaranteed, and the value of your pension can go down as well as up.

But starting at 51 is still starting.
You dont need to have everything figured out.
You dont need to have started in your twenties.
And you dont need to feel embarrassed about starting later than you planned.

The important thing is to understand your options and make a start that works for you. Its not about how early you started. Its about what you can do with the time you have left. If you are in your 50s and wondering whether its worth starting a pension, please dont assume you have missed your opportunity.

Its a conversation worth having.
Consequential Planning Ltd

12/10/2026

Pensions aren’t just about retirement. They’re about giving yourself more choice and control over what your future looks like.

But for many people, pensions can feel complicated. You might have several workplace pensions, be unsure how much you’re contributing, or simply not know whether you’re on track for the retirement you want.

Good pension planning can help you understand:
• What pensions you currently have
• How much you may need for retirement
• Whether your current contributions are on track
• How your pension is invested
• When and how you may be able to access your pension
• How your pension fits into your wider financial plans

At Consequential Planning, we believe pension advice should be clear and straightforward, without unnecessary jargon.

Whether retirement is approaching or still decades away, understanding where you stand today can help you make more informed decisions about tomorrow.
Your pension has taken years to build. Make sure you understand what it could do for your future.



Investment values can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the full amount invested.

08/10/2026

What’s happening with the UK economy, house prices and mortgage rates?

The latest figures show a mixed picture for households, homeowners and businesses across the UK.

UK annual house price growth slowed to 0.8% in September, with Nationwide reporting that market activity and prices have remained subdued amid continued economic uncertainty.
Mortgage rates have also been under pressure, with the average two-year fixed rate rising to 5.98% and the average five-year fixed rate reaching 6.00%.

Elsewhere, there are some more positive signs. UK GDP growth for the second quarter was revised up to 0.5%, while research from Lloyds found that 82% of businesses expect their regional economy to grow over the next three years.

The Bank of England also highlighted another area to watch, warning that while artificial intelligence could create opportunities for economic growth, increased investment in the sector also poses potential risks to financial markets.

There’s a lot happening across the economy, and understanding the wider picture can be an important part of making informed decisions about your own financial future.

Our latest article looks at all of these developments in more detail.

Read the full article using the link below: https://cnsq.co.uk/2026/10/07/news-in-review-298/

02/10/2026

Sometimes, the best financial advice is to wait. 🫸

18 months ago, a 73-year-old gentleman came to me after his adviser retired. He hadn’t connected with his new adviser, and market volatility on the back of the tariffs had made him even more uncertain.

He was in drawdown and considering an annuity, particularly as his wife’s health had deteriorated.

We met 4 or 5 times over the following 18 months.
During that time, he also lost 2 close family members.

He was tired, worried and scared of making the wrong decision.
So I didn’t rush him.

While we waited, I moved his money into a cash fund — because given his circumstances and uncertainty, that was the right thing to do.

And eventually, after taking our time and everything into account, we decided to stay in drawdown.

Sometimes, financial planning isnt about finding an answer quickly.
It’s about giving someone the time, space and reassurance to make a decision when they’re ready.

That’s financial planning to me. ❤️

28/09/2026

25/09/2026

“Britain’s economy is demonstrating resilience”

The latest economic figures provide an interesting picture of where the UK currently stands, with signs of growth alongside continued pressures for households, businesses and investors.

The UK economy grew by 0.4% in the three months to July, according to the latest ONS figures, with the services sector making the largest contribution to growth, increasing by 0.6%.

There are several other developments worth watching:
• Information and communication was among the strongest-growing service sectors, increasing by 2.5% over the three-month period.
• Oil and energy prices remain an important influence on inflation and the wider economic outlook.
• Buyer demand has shown signs of improvement as we move into September.
• Consumer spending remains an important indicator of household confidence.
• Savings rates have also been attracting attention as savers consider where best to hold their money.

Since the article was written, the Bank of England has held Bank Rate at 3.75%, while highlighting the continued inflation risks associated with higher global energy costs.

These figures are a useful reminder of how quickly economic conditions can change and why keeping your financial plans under regular review is so important.

Whether you're saving, investing, approaching retirement or simply looking to understand how the wider economy could affect your finances, having a clear long-term plan can help you make informed decisions through changing conditions.

Read the full article via the link below: https://cnsq.co.uk/2026/09/16/news-in-review-295/

21/09/2026

Have you checked your pension Expression of Wish recently?

It’s one of those important pieces of financial planning that can easily be completed once and then forgotten about.

An Expression of Wish tells your pension provider or scheme trustees who you would like them to consider when deciding who should receive your pension benefits after your death.
But life changes.

You may have married, divorced, welcomed children or grandchildren, lost a loved one, or changed your mind about who you would like to benefit.

If your Expression of Wish hasn’t been reviewed for several years, the information held by your pension provider may no longer reflect your current wishes.

That’s why it’s worth checking:
• Have you completed an Expression of Wish?
• Are the people named still the people you want to benefit?
• Are their details up to date?
• Have there been any significant changes in your family or personal circumstances?

An Expression of Wish is generally not legally binding on pension scheme trustees or providers, but keeping it current can provide important guidance when benefits are being considered.
It’s a relatively small piece of financial housekeeping, but an important one.

When was the last time you checked yours?
If you’re reviewing your pensions and would like help understanding your arrangements, speak to the team at Consequential Planning.

15/09/2026

Pension Awareness Day starts today! 💫 💫

How to start a pension if you are self-employed?
How to check your pensions?
How to find lost pension pots?
Do you understand what you have and what you could do with your pension?
Hold more multiple Defined Contribution pension pots?

Pension Awareness Day is trying to make an impact for people to not neglect their pensions - so if you have always been pushing this back at the end of your To-Do list; feel free to get in touch!

Consequential Planning Ltd

10/09/2026

Pension Awareness is coming – when did you last check your pension?

Pensions can be one of those things that sit quietly in the background while we concentrate on everything happening today. But giving your pension some attention now could make a real difference to the retirement you’re working towards.

Pension Awareness 2026 takes place on 15–16 September and is a great reminder to take some time to understand what you have and whether you’re on track.

A few simple questions are a good place to start:
• Do you know how much is currently in your pension?
• Do you have pensions from previous employers that you may have lost track of?
• Are your personal details and nominated beneficiaries up to date?
• Do you understand how your pension is invested?
• Are you making the most of your workplace pension and employer contributions?
• Most importantly, is your current pension planning likely to support the retirement you want?

At Consequential Planning, we believe retirement planning shouldn't start when retirement is just around the corner. The earlier you understand where you are and where you want to be, the more opportunity you have to plan.

With Pension Awareness approaching, perhaps now is the perfect time to give your pension the attention it deserves.
If you'd like help reviewing your pensions and planning for retirement, speak to our team.

Find out more about Pension Awareness 2026