Working for longer? Key rules to consider

The number of over 65s has reached a record level, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The number of over 65s now in work stands at 1.468 million in April to June 2022, up 173,000 from the previous quarter (January to March 2022).

As the cost-of-living rises, and markets turn volatile, more older people are returning to work in order to fund their everyday lives.

But there is also a longer-term trend at play – the number of over 65s in work has risen steadily since 2014 as per the ONS figures.

But what are the pitfalls of working past ‘retirement’ age? The truth is that the line between working age and retiring is definitely blurring, but there are still some important aspects to consider if you’ve decided to keep working for longer.

Here are some key considerations with regards to wealth and tax.

Money Purchase Annual Allowance

The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) is a key consideration if you choose to work later in life, and have access to your pension (i.e., over the age of 56).

When you contribute to your pension during your working career, you’re allowed to save up to £40,000 a year into your retirement pots, or 100% of your annual income if below this level.

However, once you reach pension freedom age, currently 55, and you access pension funds, the MPAA kicks in.

The MPAA is currently £4,000. This means once you’ve drawn down funds from a pension, you are only allowed to contribute back in a maximum of £4,000. This includes personal, workplace and employer contributions.

If you are around pension freedoms age, continuing to work and don’t necessarily need your pension cash, it can be wise to leave it untouched to prevent the MPAA kicking in. This will allow you to continue accruing valuable employer contributions and tax relief on your pension savings.

If the MPAA has kicked in, it could be more tax efficient to save into an ISA instead. This will give you an annual tax-free savings limit of £24,000 (£4,000 for pension and £20,000 for ISA).

State pension deferral

Once you reach State Pension age you will be entitled to claim the valuable benefit, assuming you have accrued enough National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in your working life.

The age at which you can take State Pension used to be 65 for men and 60 for women. This has however now been equalised between genders and is in the process of rising to 68. You can find when you become eligible by using the Government website.

If you are eligible but have yet to take your pension, or are soon to be eligible – it can be a very good option to defer receipt of the benefit, if you can live without it.

This is because the longer you defer your payments, the higher your future pay outs will be. The State Pension increases by the equivalent of 1% for every nine weeks of deferral. This means for every year you don’t claim, you’ll get around 5.8% more when you do begin to claim.

For instance, if you’re eligible for the full weekly amount of £185.15, deferring it by 12 months will mean an extra £10.70 a week if you begin claiming one year after reaching full entitlement. Over a year, that adds up to an extra £128.40.

These figures are however purely an example – in practice the State Pension is uprated using the triple lock calculation each year so deferral will most likely lead to higher extra payments in future.

No National Insurance

Once you do reach State Pension age, you will no longer be liable to pay National Insurance (NI) contributions.

Any money you earn won’t be liable to NI contributions, which will mean ultimately, you’ll get more money in your pay packet at the end of the month. Pension income, likewise, doesn’t have any NI liabilities. You are however still obliged to pay income tax on any earnings – be they salary or State Pension income.

If you’d like to discuss any of the rules or tax implications for your wealth, don’t hesitate to get in touch to talk about your options.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 20th October 2022.


The World In A Week - All change please

Written by Millan Chauhan.

Last week was an eventful week in UK Politics, as Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked as Chancellor of the Exchequer, a role which he held for only 38 days. This also came three weeks after he announced his mini-budget which caused Sterling to sell-off significantly, sent the cost of government borrowing and mortgage rates up, that led to an unprecedented intervention by the Bank of England. Jeremy Hunt has been selected as his replacement and will now make a medium-term fiscal announcement on the 31st October, if not sooner. The chaos that has unfolded over the last few weeks has put immense pressure on Liz Truss’s battle for political survival.

There were some important economic data releases last week in the UK, with GDP unexpectedly falling by -0.3% in August which was caused by a fall in the production sector. This latest data release also meant that the economy shrank by -0.3% in the three months to August. On Wednesday, we will find out the state of the UK’s inflation situation with September’s CPI data set to be released with expectations leaning towards a monthly increase of 0.4% (estimated 10.0% Year-on-Year).

US markets saw a huge intraday movement last Thursday, following the US inflation data release which saw US CPI come in at 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. This was slightly above estimates of 8.1% which sparked a very negative reaction from US markets at the open. Expectations were that we would begin to see inflation flatten as supply chains have improved and the labour market situation has recovered. US indices subsequently rebounded that day to close in the green as the underlying constituent data showed some signs of a slowdown.  Time will tell whether we are at a juncture of a change in sentiment.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 17th October 2022.


The World In A Week - We Get It, And We Have Listened

Written by Chris Ayton.

Last week brought some welcome relief to equity and fixed income markets. The MSCI All Country World Index rose +2.0% and the FTSE All Share Index recovered +1.4%.  The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index was -0.3% in GBP Hedged terms.

UK news last week was dominated by the UK government’s decision to reverse its planned axing of the 45p income tax rate just days after having announced it.  “We get it and we have listened” Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng sheepishly announced on Twitter.  In a further attempt to calm currency and fixed income markets, Kwarteng was also forced to announce he would be bringing forward the disclosure of his debt reduction plan from 23rd November to the end of this month.  Sterling and UK Treasuries recovered some lost ground, aided by the Bank of England’s promise of intervention through buying up long dated gilts.

In the US, bad news was initially good news as weak manufacturing data increased hope of slower additional interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve.  However, the week ended with news that the US unemployment rate had dropped back to its pre-pandemic low of 3.5% which pointed to a tighter labour market and dampened any enthusiasm that the Fed may choose to take things slower.  Nevertheless, the 1.8% rally in the S&P 500 Index comes after three consecutive quarters of declines for the S&P 500 Index, the first time this has been observed since 2008.

Eyes now turn to the Chinese Communist party’s 20th national congress, which opens on 16th October. President Xi Jinping is widely expected to win an unprecedented third term, but the focus will also be on how China plans to deal with the harsh economic challenges caused by their zero Covid policy as well as a rapidly slowing property market.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 10th October 2022.
© 2022 YOU Asset Management. All rights reserved.


The World In A Week - No retreat, no surrender?

Written by Shane Balkham.

For many investors, it may seem like we have had too many ‘once-in-a-generation’ events over the past few years. Brexit, COVID-19, war on Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis to name the obvious ones. However, last week truly gave us market ructions on a scale that forced policymakers into emergency measures once again.

The week began with the Bank of England (BoE) and UK Treasury battling to calm markets after the pound hit a record low against the US dollar of $1.035, as the consequences of the Government’s mini-budget played out. There was a lot of rhetoric designed to placate markets, with the BoE announcing that it would not hesitate to change interest rates as necessary, but only after a full assessment at its next scheduled meeting.  This caused new concerns and gilt yields soared on the back of strengthened expectations of a significant rate hike at the next meeting.

The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee was not due to meet until 3rd November, when they would publish the next Monetary Policy Report, giving guidance on inflation expectations.  However, on Wednesday the BoE intervened in the gilts market, unleashing £65 billion of quantitative easing in order to stem the meltdown in UK government debt.  The BoE’s plan is to buy long-dated bonds at a rate of £5 billion a day for the next 13 weekdays.  It also suspended the current programme of selling gilts, which was part of the effort, along with interest rate hikes, to bring inflation under control. Although UK government bond markets recovered sharply after the announcement, economists warned that the printing of new money would add to the inflationary pressures.

The International Monetary Fund added to the UK’s woes by publishing a scathing attack on the UK’s plans, urging the Government to re-evaluate proposals amid the threat of spiralling inflation. It claimed that the Government’s plan to cut taxes and invigorate economic growth is at cross-purposes with the BoE’s task of combating inflation. It now puts the central bank in a position of potentially having to move interest rates even higher than may have been planned.

The unintended consequences of the Conservatives’ strategy to boost supply-side economics by reducing the tax burden facing businesses and families, alongside a major programme of investment to stimulate and drive growth, has shaken the faith in the UK’s finances. The timing of the mini-budget could not have been worse. Politically, it provided opposition parties with ammunition to attack the new prime minister and her cabinet. Economically, it has increased the uncertainty over inflation and growth. There are also arguments that proposed policies will push out the point at which inflation will peak and result in higher interest rates.  The BoE’s remit has become increasingly more difficult.

Liz Truss now faces the devastation of her own making at the Conservative conference in Birmingham. While there has been an admission of mistakes, and a subsequent reversal of the elimination of the 45p top income tax rate, there is unlikely to be a retreat from the Prime Minister on the general direction of unfunded tax cuts.  Time will tell how successful this strategy will be.

Long-term investing is the best antidote to market fluctuations. Our studies have shown that the longer you invest for, the higher the probability of making better returns. However, it can be difficult to remain dispassionate during market turmoil and that is why we continue to provide reassurance during your investment journey. Please take time to visit our website: www.YOU-asset.co.uk/stay-invested for an educational presentation on the importance of staying invested.

An appropriately diversified portfolio will provide cushioning during the worst of times and take opportunities during the better times. While Sterling plummeted, it does mean that certain parts of your portfolio will have benefitted.  The consolation of being geographically diversified is that overseas assets are worth more when Sterling weakens.  This is the same effect we benefitted from when Brexit broke in 2016.

Last week was one of the most challenging weeks in what has been an incredibly difficult year. In volatile times, the critical message is to remain vigilant but remain true to your long-term investment plan. In turn, we will remain robust in our long-term investment processes and philosophy, adding to our track record of delivering impressive long-term returns to our clients.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 3rd October 2022.
© 2022 YOU Asset Management. All rights reserved.


The World In A Week - The Almighty Dollar

Written by Cormac Nevin.

Last week was another challenging one for markets as the MSCI All Country World Index fell -0.3% in GBP terms. The same index was down -4.2% in local currency terms, which illustrates the continued fall in Sterling vs the US Dollar. The US Federal Reserve’s efforts to combat inflation have led it to tighten interest rates aggressively, which has led to a sharp rise in the dollar vs other major currencies. One of the worst affected currencies has been the Yen, which is now at multi-decade lows. The Pound Sterling and Euro have also been heavily impacted, with the Euro falling to below parity with the US Dollar. As of this Monday morning, 1 US Dollar buys roughly 0.96 Euros and 1.08 Pounds. The Federal Reserve’s reversal of quantitative easing, aptly named quantitative tightening, has also put pressure on the US Treasury market where liquidity conditions have deteriorated significantly.

Other events driving markets have been the “mini” budget announced by  Kwasi Kwarteng, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. In his address to parliament, Kwarteng announced a series of measures aimed at supply-side reform of the economy with tax cuts aimed at incentivising employment and investment. The fact that these tax cuts will be funded by borrowing led to a sell-off in the UK Gilt market and additional Sterling weakness. Only time will tell if these pro-growth measures have the desired impact of raising trend GDP growth.

On the continent, the weekend saw the election of Italy’s first female Prime Minister since the Risorgimento led to the creation of a unified Italy in 1861.  Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli D’Italia party will lead a right-wing coalition with a comfortable parliamentary majority. The prospect of Italy being governed by the most right-wing government since the end of the second world war will likely set the scene for further confrontation within the European Union, at a time when the block faces significant economic and energy security challenges.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 26th September 2022.
© 2022 YOU Asset Management. All rights reserved.


The World In A Week - Witnessing history

Written by Millan Chauhan.

Last week, the US Bureau of Labour Statistics announced that US CPI decelerated to 8.3% which was above estimates of 8.1%.  Estimates had predicted a sharper slow-down in the level of inflation and the market reacted negatively to this news with the S&P 500 closing the week down -3.5% in GBP terms.  With inflation still persistent and slowing down less than expected, this has increased estimates of a full 100 basis points rise in interest rates. Markets are expecting either a hike of 75 basis points or 100 basis points, which would be the largest rate hike in 40 years and would move the target range to between 3.0% and 3.25%. With further hikes expected, we are on track to see rates reach 4.0% by the end of the year. The Federal Reserve is expected to make its decision on Wednesday evening.

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee will make an interest rate decision on Thursday, as inflation came in at 9.9% in August 2022 which was down from 10.1% in July 2022. The expectation is that the policymakers will raise rates by 50 basis points, but they could adopt a similar stance to other central banks and hike more aggressively. The decision comes after the announcement of the Prime Minister Liz Truss’s energy pricing plan that will freeze average energy bills at £2,500 per year.

In the UK, we have observed a period of national mourning over the last 10 days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years and 214 days, the longest of any British monarch and the longest recorded of any female head of state in history.  The state funeral of our late Queen took place in London yesterday, which was followed by a military procession to Windsor Castle where she was laid to rest in St George’s Chapel. Millions of people watched on the streets or on their televisions at home, witnessing a fitting tribute to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s final journey.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, any investments or products.
The content of this document is for information only. It is advisable that you discuss your personal financial circumstances with a financial adviser before undertaking any investments.
All the data contained in the communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. Unless otherwise specified all information is produced as of 20th September 2022.
© 2022 YOU Asset Management. All rights reserved.


student loan changes

Should I pay my child’s university fees?

No-one wants to see their child struggle financially but how much should parents be helping out with university fees, or should they rely on student loans?

Going to university isn’t cheap for a young person, even if they live on baked beans and pasta.

The cost of studying at university is estimated to be around £57,000 for a three-year degree, according to SaveTheStudent. 

That is around £19,000 per year, so your loved one could still be in touch for more than just help with their washing.

The costs 

Tuition fees alone can cost up to £9,250 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or £27,750 for a three-year degree.

There are no tuition fees in Scotland if the student has been living in the country for three years.

Additionally, a student will also need to pay for materials such as books as well as their own food, energy and accommodation.

SaveTheStudent’s National Money Survey estimates living costs of around £9,720 or £29,160 over three years.

Adding that to three years of tuition fees takes the total cost to £56,910 – more than double the average salary in the UK.

But there is help available.

All students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the annual university bill.

UK nationals who are studying for the first time can also usually apply for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs, which varies depending on the university and your household income.

But leaving university with large debts may make it harder for your child to get on the property ladder or access other credit as it will form part of the affordability criteria in applications.

It is easy to see why parents may be tempted to help their child with these costs instead.

Paying your child’s university fees may help give them a more financially stable start in life as it could be easier to access an affordable mortgage rate or other credit if they don’t have a large level of student loan debt.

Here is what to consider.

Financial independence 

University is likely to be the first time your child lives alone and learns the importance of running a household and budgeting.

This could be a good chance for them to learn how to setup and pay bills or to put money aside for essentials such as the food shop and their studies.

There a risk of spoiling them if you pay for everything.

Would it be better for your child, and your wallet, if they got a job to cover their costs or if you just made a small contribution each month to get them started?

Will you have to pay anything? 

University costs may look daunting but the repayment terms on a student loan are different to traditional finance and it may be that the debt never actually has to be repaid.

Student loan repayments only become due in the April after graduation and only once the borrower reaches a certain annual earnings threshold.

The threshold depends on when a student started their course, but it is currently £27,295 for an English or Welsh student who started a course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 2012.

It functions, in effect, as a 9% income tax levy above this threshold. Any student debts are cancelled 25 years after the first April the student was due to repay.

While this dampens their earnings potential it won’t affect aspects of their finances such as credit rating. Mortgage providers will take into account how much they’re paying off each month as a part of income considerations but won’t consider the size of the ‘debt’.

Some employees may not earn above the minimum threshold and may not ever fully repay the loan, so paying for them may just be wasting your money.

Can you afford to wait? 

Rather than paying upfront, you could wait until the end of your child’s degree. If they look likely to earn above the repayment threshold, you could then step in and help.

This way, your child will also have hopefully learned how to manage their money during university.

Alternatively, your child may end up with a highly paid role that makes it easy for them to pay off the loan quickly.

Can you afford to help? 

Don’t give away money you may need for your own bills, retirement or care needs.

That is especially important at the moment with inflation, or the cost of living, expected to hit 13% over the next few months.

This could mean higher energy and food bills, while mortgage rates could get more expensive as interest rates rise to curb inflation.

Alternatively, you could put money aside for another use such as to help your child with a mortgage deposit once they graduate.

It may be worth speaking with a financial adviser to see how paying your child’s university fees fits in with your own financial plan and the best way of using the money.


Pension opt outs are rising – but foregoing a pension could cost you thousands

Increasing numbers of employees are opting out of their workplace pensions as the cost-of-living crisis bites but experts warn this could leave future retirees out of pocket.

Inflation has already hit a 40-year high of 10.1% and the Bank of England predicts it could go as high as 13%, with some forecasters even warning the figure may hit 18% or higher.

That means increased bills for everything from energy to food, travel, clothes and holidays.

The Bank of England has already begun increasing the cost of borrowing – the base rate – in an attempt to bring inflation down.

That will mean higher interest on loans and mortgages and higher energy costs which could also add to financial pressure on households.

It is no surprise that households are looking to cut back on their expenses in a bid to preserve at least some of their cash.

Many are looking at their pension contributions and wondering if the money can be used immediately rather than for their retirement to help get over rising cost pressures.

Analysis by online pension provider Penfold has found that the number of savers opting out of company pension schemes increased 29% from March to July this year, just as the cost-of-living crunch began to make its effects felt.

While this may save you money and release some spare cash in the short term, the impact could be felt much longer-term and mean a poorer retirement.

Pete Hykin, co-founder at Penfold, comments: “Everyone understands that the pressures facing today’s savers are considerable”.

“Many people are feeling the pinch on their incomes and savings, but it’s vital that those people who are financially able to pay into their pension continue to do so”.

“The increasing number of opt-outs is a worrying trend, especially as the impact of pausing contributions, even for just a short period, can have a hugely detrimental impact on an individual’s finances in retirement, especially for those starting out in their career.”

A 20-year-old stopping a contribution of £200 per month would miss out on £28,000 in their pension pot from stock market performance if this was carried on for a three-year period.

That means less money for your golden years at a time when you may not be working and may not have other sources of income beyond a state pension.

You would end up having to invest more once you restarted contributions if you wanted to catch up.

Although it is especially tough at the moment, it’s essential to maintain contributions and make cost savings elsewhere if possible. Ultimately cutting off your long-term wealth growth to beat a short-term problem is going to harm your finances either way.


Inheritance disputes are soaring – here’s how to avoid painful family quarrels

Disputes around how a person’s estate should be distributed are soaring official figures show, attributed to poorly drafted, or the lack of, wills to set out their wishes.

Planning for what happens after you die may seem morbid, but it could help prevent extra stress and upset – as well as a large bill – for those you leave behind.

Research by law firm Nockolds shows there were 9,926 challenges to how inherited estates are managed and distributed – known as probate – in England and Wales in 2021.

The figure was up 37% compared with 2019, according to a freedom of information request (FOI) made by Nockolds and reported by the Financial Times.

Experts warn that an increasingly litigious society and rising house prices could be driving more people to block probate and try to take a share of or control a deceased relative’s estate.

This hasn’t been helped by the rise of online DIY services that let people prepare their own will online by answering a series of questions without consulting a lawyer.

Without clear instructions, family members could easily disagree about issues such as how you want to be buried and what happens to your hard-earned assets such as your savings and your home once you die.

Here is what to consider.

Make your wishes clear

The best way to avoid family disputes is by writing a will.

This is a legal document that sets out who should manage your assets and liabilities – known as your estate – and who should receive any of your wealth or possessions.

Research by Royal London shows 56% of adults in the UK don’t have a valid will, rising to 79% for 18–34-year-olds.

Without a valid will, your estate falls under the rules of intestacy.

This means that regardless of who you may have chosen, the law dictates the order in which people inherit your estate.

Under the intestacy rules, a spouse or civil partner is automatically recognised as the person who should benefit the most, followed by children.

This may create an issue if you have been living with someone but weren’t married or in a civil partnership.

They may not have any rights to your estate, even if you wanted to leave them your home or other possessions as there would be no document setting this out.

Avoid disputes

Just writing a will online may not be enough, especially for more complex issues.

An automated will writing service may not raise issues to consider such as if you are divorced, remarried or have children from different relationships, all of which could lead to different claims on your estate.

If there are disagreements or parts of the document are unclear, your will could be deemed invalid and moved to the intestacy rules.

Alternatively, your loved ones could end up in court to contest it, which can mean expensive legal fees. There are ways to avoid this before you pass away.

Some DIY services will let you pay extra for a lawyer to check your will, or you could consult a solicitor directly to ensure the document reflects your wishes and situation.

It is also important to review your will if your situation changes.

Royal London research shows six in 10 people haven’t reviewed their will in over a year, with 29% leaving it more than five years.

Plenty could have happened in that period such as a new child or property.

Inheritance tax

Your will is also an important inheritance planning tool.

Currently inheritance tax of 40% is paid on any assets worth more than a nil-rate band threshold of £325,000, plus £175,000 for your main residential property.

There is no inheritance tax between spouses though, so you can reduce the liability of your estate by passing on assets to your husband, wife or civil partner through a will.

You can also leave money to charity through your will and if you donate at least 10% of your estate then the inheritance tax rate drops to 36%.

None of this would be possible without a clear and concise will, saving your loved ones tax, legal fees and heartache.


Rail fares set to rise by less than inflation

Commuters braced for rising energy bills and higher borrowing costs may find their rail fare increases aren’t as bad as expected next January.

Despite train companies being private companies, the Government has the power to limit increases on some rail fares to ensure they do not exceed the cost of living and remain affordable.

Around 45% of all rail fares are subject to the Government’s cap including season tickets on most commuter journeys and some off-peak return tickets.

The increases usually take place each January and are linked to the retail price index (RPI) from the previous July.

Other services that link bills to RPI include broadband and mobile phone networks, which argue that increasing customer bills help maintain services and infrastructure.

This is a contentious enough issue as its calculations no longer meet international standards and it tends to be higher than the more widely recognised consumer price index (CPI).

Another issue is the actual RPI rate as a high measure can mean rail tickets are too expensive for travellers.

If train fares were to increase by July’s RPI rate next January, they could go up by 12.3%, the largest ever increase amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

It wold mean, for example, that commuters travelling between Reading and London on any route would have to pay an extra £620 for the new season ticket cost of £5,664.

But the Government has instead said fares will not go up by so much and will be frozen until at least March 2023.

A Department for Transport spokesperson comments: “The Government is taking decisive action to reduce the impact inflation will have on rail fares during the cost-of-living crisis and will not be increasing fares as much as the July RPI figure.

“We are also again delaying the increase to March 2023, temporarily freezing fares for passengers to travel at a lower price for the entirety of January and February as we continue to take steps to help struggling households.”

Similar action was taken during the pandemic to give commuters more time to purchase tickets at lower prices.

The Government hasn’t confirmed how much the new cap will rise by, but this is usually confirmed each December.

 

Source:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/how-much-could-rail-fares-increase-by-in-2023-and-why/