Every month, we pull together the most relevant stories affecting your employees' financial lives.

This month

⚠️ Watch out for ticket scams

🏠 Falls in mortgage rates

⚖️ The majority of adults still don’t have a Will

⚠️ Watch out for ticket scams

One in four Britons has been caught out, losing an average of £82, according to Nationwide.

What this means for your people

With the rising popularity of festivals and gigs, ticket demand often outstrips supply—creating the perfect environment for scammers. Taylor Swift fans alone lost over £1m to fake ticket scams before her UK tour even began. High-profile events like Glastonbury sell out in minutes—pushing fans to risky resale platforms. In the frenzy, many jump at offers that seem too good to be true—because they often are.

Before buying event tickets, do your research to ensure the seller is legitimate. Check if the event organiser or venue has details on ticket distribution, and verify the company’s UK address, reviews, and customer service responsiveness.

Read the website’s terms and conditions carefully, especially around refunds. For football tickets, be aware that resale is often illegal. Try to pay with a credit card for added protection, but be aware that the ticket price must be between £100 and £30,000 to qualify for this. Lastly, only buy from secure websites that display a padlock icon and start with ‘https’.

🏠 Falls in mortgage rates

Barclays has become the first of the UK’s big six lenders to offer sub-4% fixed-rate mortgages.

What this means for your people

Barclays reduced both its two- and five-year fixed deals to 3.99% for buyers with a 40% deposit. Green mortgages for energy-efficient homes (rated A or B) will go as low as 3.89%. Those with smaller deposits will also benefit, with a two-year fix at 4.9% (no fee) now available for 5% deposit buyers.

This move comes despite recent turbulence in the swap rates—the interbank lending rates that heavily influence fixed mortgage pricing. Swap rates fell earlier in the week amid hopes of multiple Bank of England base rate cuts this year.

If you are due to remortgage soon, don’t leave it too late to review things. If planning early enough, you could speak with a broker to line up a mortgage deal in advance and then move to a different mortgage product if rates improve closer to your remortgage date.

The next Bank of England rate review comes on 8th May 2025. The current base rate sits at 4.5%.

⚖️ The majority of adults still don’t have a Will

60% of adults could face complications if something happens to them.

What this means for your people

Without a Will, your estate might not go to the people you intend, especially if you're unmarried or not in a civil partnership. It can lead to delays, disputes, and even bigger inheritance tax bills.

Writing a Will doesn’t need to be expensive. Simple yet effective online services like Farewill start from around £100. If your affairs are more complex—like blended families, business ownership, or overseas assets—the assistance of a solicitor can be particularly helpful.

You may also be able to reduce inheritance tax (IHT) by including gifts to charity or setting up trusts. Either way, having a proper Will in place helps protect your loved ones—and gives you peace of mind.