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inflation on the rise

Siobhan Record Our Lifestyle’s Financial Expert

Inflation measures the general increase in the price of goods and services. Left unchecked, it can be a dangerous foe to the long-term investor, eroding the purchasing power of one’s hard-earned cash over time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, inflation numbers have frequented the headlines. Financial stimulus around the globe has meant that more money circulating in the economy is chasing a similar (or fewer) number of goods and services, resulting in price increases.

The UK 2021 inflation rate is 5.4%, using the consumer prices index (CPI). This is a number not seen as high since the early 90’s and one can get a sense of how quickly purchasing power reduces at these higher-than-average rates1 .

It is true that a general rise in prices can be uncomfortable for investors, reducing the ‘real’ (after inflation) returns earned over a given period. That being said, a systematic investment philosophy is built to weather such storms. Equity markets offer the opportunity to participate in the future earnings of global corporations, whose prospects rely on the goods and services they provide. Exposure to smaller and value companies – those that appear cheap relative to a fundamental measure such as book-value – offer the opportunity of diversification and higher expected returns.

Whilst no perfect inflation hedge exists – gold and commodities, for example, are no silver bullet – it is sensible to expect a welldiversified, low-cost portfolio consisting of equities and high-quality bonds to deliver above inflation returns over the medium to long term.

Our investment philosophy at Cre8 is a systematic approach. Our portfolios are low cost and well diversified. We will help you navigate investments, avoid potentially costly mistakes and ensure you are comfortable with risk.

If you are interested in knowing more about how I work and you have investments of over £200,000 why not give Jo a ring on 01562 745730 to arrange a no obligation 30-minute free meeting in our offices.

1 ONS (2022) UK CPI. March 1992 – 7.1%, December 2021 – 5.4%.

The information in this article does not constitute investment advice; you must not rely on the content when making investment decisions without taking advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value investments and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Our Finance & Legal

Write or uPdate your Will this MarCh and suPPort your loCal hosPiCes

The Hospice Charity Partnership has once again partnered with big-hearted solicitors across the West Midlands to offer you a cheaper way to sort your will – all whilst raising funds for the hospice. From Tuesday 1st to Thursday 31st March, a number of solicitors and will writers will be taking part in the hospice’s ‘Make a Will Month’, in which they’ll be waiving their usual fees and asking for a charitable donation to be made to the hospice instead.

The generous initiative will give you the opportunity to write or update this important document for a much cheaper price – for example, suggested donations are £100 for a single will which typically cost £185, or £125 for a joint will which costs £225 on average. For wills requiring more specialist advice, the solicitors will agree a donation in advance.

You will be able to sort your will by arranging a home visit, completing it online, or even visiting the solicitor at their office. All donations will go towards The Hospice Charity Partnership, which provides vital care and support to people across the city and their loved ones who are living with life-limiting illness.

To take part in Make a Will Month, visit: www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/make-a-will or https://www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk/leavea-gift-in-your-will/make-a-will-month/

Our Finance & Legal

West Midlands laW firM beCoMes a ‘living Wage’ eMPloyer

Following the decision to become an Employee Owned Trust in 2021, Talbots Law has become an officially accredited ‘Living Wage Employer’ – only the fifth law firm in the region to take this stance.

The move cements a commitment to pay its employees above market rate salaries to acknowledge the true cost of living and working in the UK.

It means the firm, which employs 300 people across seven offices in the West Midlands, joins an elite list of 9000 UK businesses who have made the commitment, including major brands such as Ikea, Nestle, KPMG, Everton Football Club, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes.

Commitment to The Living Wage means paying an hourly rate that is significantly over and above the National Minimum Wage for each employee, meaning staff will be paid a minimum of £9.90 per hour.

Dave Hodgetts, CEO of Talbots Law, said: “As a management team we’ve made a commitment to continue our ethos of putting our people at the heart of our business, so the decision to attain accredited Living Wage Employer status was a no-brainer.

“We’re proud to be the 5th law firm in the Midlands to achieve the accreditation and, as ever, we will continue to explore ways that we can blaze a trail and drive positive change in the region.”

Talbots is in the midst of its biggest ever recruitment drive, with the company looking to hire more than 100 new employees over the course of the next 12 to 18 months.

This reflects the firm’s commitment to expansion and growth across all legal areas of the business, including conveyancing, corporate, employment, family and trusts and estates.

Jobs available range from senior legal positions and administrative roles to business support vacancies.

For further information, please visit www.talbotslaw.co.uk or email careers@ talbotslaw.co.uk for a chat with the HR team.