The number of young people in the UK classified as not in education, employment, or training (Neet) has risen to 957,000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure represents 12.8% of those aged 16 to 24. The increase is primarily due to rising unemployment, particularly among young women, whose Neet numbers rose by 13,000. Alan Milburn, former health secretary, warned that societal expectations of progress for each generation are being undermined. He said: “The social contract that we’ve had in society… is now being broken.” The Resolution Foundation has called for urgent government action to address these trends.

House sellers are lowering property values below £2m to avoid the upcoming high-value council tax surcharge (HVCTS), set to begin in April 2028. Research from estate agents Hamptons shows that 83% of offers for homes near this threshold have remained below £2m since the November Budget announcement. David Fell, lead analyst at Hamptons, said: “The decline suggests that some sellers are adjusting asking prices downwards to ensure their properties fall below the threshold where demand now appears strongest.” The tax will impose an annual charge of £2,500 on homes valued over £2m, with higher charges applying above £2.5m, £3.5m and £5m.

From April 2026, over 860,000 self-employed individuals and landlords earning above £50,000 will need to comply with Making Tax Digital (MTD). This initiative requires quarterly financial updates to HMRC, increasing the administrative burden on small business owners. Taryn Lee Johnston, owner of The FCM Group, expressed concerns about the added workload, stating: “Many small business owners do not have in-house finance teams.” The income threshold will decrease over the coming years, potentially affecting millions. Experts advise early preparation to avoid last-minute complications.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is increasingly affecting ordinary homeowners in Scotland, with £7.13bn collected from April 2025 to January 2026. This marks a £1.3bn rise from the previous year, impacting 31,500 estates, or 4.62% of all estates. The nil-rate band has been frozen since 2009, and if adjusted for inflation, it would be £523,419. By 2030/31, IHT collections could reach £14.5bn, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. David J Alexander, CEO of DJ Alexander Scotland Ltd, said: “It can’t be right that this specific group… should be seen as an easy target for increased taxation.”

Savers are urged to act before April 5 to avoid unnecessary tax on savings interest. Paragon Bank reports that over 1.4m basic rate taxpayers face an average tax bill of £641. The number of taxpayers liable for savings tax has more than doubled in three years, rising from 1.27m in 2022/23 to 2.79m in 2025/26. Andrew Wright, head of savings at Paragon Bank, commented: “More people than ever are being drawn into paying tax on their savings.” Cash ISAs remain a tax-efficient option, allowing savers to protect their interest from taxation.

The Chancellor has been urged to maintain her fiscal rules amid increasing calls for adjustments to accommodate long-term investments and higher defence spending. Richard Hughes, former chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), said: “Rules that are simple and are stuck to are more important than rules that are complicated.” However, critics, including Labour backbencher Louise Haigh, argue for a revision of the fiscal framework. Hughes noted that the UK’s fiscal rules have an average lifespan of less than two years, contributing to high deficits and rising debt levels.

Consumer confidence in the UK has declined, with the GfK index falling to minus 19 in February, down from minus 16. The drop reflects growing concerns about personal finances and a reluctance to make significant purchases. Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, noted: “Although the rate of inflation is easing, prices continue to rise.” Meanwhile, separate data from Lloyds Bank showed improved business sentiment, with optimism about UK growth rising to 36%. The upcoming Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts may provide further insights into the economic outlook.

Rightmove reports that failed property transactions are costing the economy over £900m. Approximately 6% of transactions do not return to market within a year, resulting in lost revenue for estate agents and stamp duty. CEO Johan Svanstrom stated: “Our analysis highlights the scale of the economic opportunity if fall-through rates can be reduced.” Experts suggest that improved communication and digitisation could mitigate these losses. Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, stressed the need for better information and collaboration to streamline the process.

LSEG has announced a £3bn share buyback, following £2.1bn in buybacks last year. The decision comes amid pressure from activist investor Elliott Management and concerns over artificial intelligence’s impact on the stock. The company reported underlying operating profits of £3.51bn for 2025, a 10.8% increase. Despite recent stock declines, shares rose by 5% after the announcement. LSEG aims for mid to high single-digit growth in total income by 2029.