What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and do I need one?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. The people you appoint to manage your affairs are called the attorneys. An LPA is a completely separate legal document to your will although many people put them in place at the same time as getting their will written, as part of planning for their future.

What does a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) cover?

There are two ...

At 12.30pm today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the UK Spring Budget, as well as the economic and fiscal forecast by the Office of Budget Responsibility.

These legislative announcements are game-changers for Britain's economy, and Hunt’s announcements included a number of sweeping changes that could potentially affect the personal finances of everyone living and working in the United Kingdom.

In laying out the Spring Budget, Hunt reinforced the government’s dedication to building the British economy while al...

Do you keep meaning to sort out your will? We can help you. 

Life is busy, we get it. But is anything more important than being in control of your future? Recent research* suggests that only 44% of UK adults have made a will, which means that you’re far from alone if you haven’t yet got around to completing what, for some, appears to be a daunting task.

It’s always worth bearing in mind that if you die without a will, the law decides who inherits everything you own (your assets) according to certain criteria called ‘intestacy rules’. S...

As a new year begins you may want a fresh start for you and your families’ health. Did you know that many insurance policies offer access to a range of health and wellbeing services that can help? You also don’t need to make a claim to use them as your protection policies aren’t just there for when things go wrong.

How private medical insurance can help you cope with cancer  

Cancer impacts so many of us 

Cancer is a disease that leaves very few of us untouched. Statistics from Cancer Research UK suggest that as many as one in two people born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of the disease over the course of their lifetime.  

That’s the kind of statistic that makes you think. Little wonder that one of the most common questions clients ask is whether private medical insurance covers the disease. With soaring waiting times and the NHS stretched like never before, it’s one that has assumed ever greater importance. 

The simple answer is, yes. Private medical insurance can cover all types of cancer.  

What benefits can private medical insurance deliver?  

Private treatment for cancer can give you shorter waiting times, a choice of hospitals and access to a wider range of better medicines and treatments, some of which are unavailable on the NHS. Most importantly, it provides you with the peace of mind that if you were diagnosed with the disease, there’s a policy tailored for you to tackle it head on. It’s important to emphasise that private healthcare never competes with the NHS, one of the country’s most treasured institutions. Instead, they work hand-in-hand, with the level of integration between the two very much your choice.  

Prevention is always better than cure  

According to Cancer Research UK cancer risk statistics, around four in 10 UK cancer cases are preventable each year. That’s an extraordinary figure and one which illustrates why a range of varied health insurance policies do all they can to encourage people to live healthy lives and make better health choices. Whether that’s support for quitting smoking or discounted gym memberships, these policies are designed to put your health first.  

Early diagnosis can make a huge difference  

Cancer treatment has come a long way, with survival rates (people who live for five years or more) up to 90% for common forms of the disease, such as bowel, breast and ovarian cancer, if they are caught early. The range of tools available to you via your private health insurance are both enormous and impressive, making that early diagnosis far more likely. 

Treatment without delay  

Once a diagnosis has been made, it’s imperative for treatment to start as quickly as possible. One of the greatest benefits of any private medical insurance policy is the ability to skip NHS waiting times. Even small delays can have a big impact. Private medical insurance can also open up a world of treatment options, which may not ordinarily be available to you on the NHS. Some policies even include the option of home-delivered chemotherapy and, in the worst cases, palliative care at home too.  

Choosing the right policy  

There are a range of options – and we’re here to help you make the choice which best fits your circumstances and your future and we can make sure you get all the information you need to decide whether private medical insurance is the right option for you.

Call us on 01908 062448 or drop us an email on info@colfinancial.co.uk

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Should I consider private medical insurance?

Life can be full of surprises. You can’t be prepared for everything. You may have some insurance to support you financially if the unexpected happens, but have you considered how private medical insurance might offer you and your family the peace of mind you need if your health takes a turn for the worst?

A growing trend
According to data published by The Telegraph, close to half a million people have taken out private medical insurance over the past year, as NHS waiting lists hit record leve...

On 22 November 2023, chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the Autumn Statement against a backdrop of a cost of living crisis and a looming general election.

It’s been a challenging year with inflation dominating headlines. While inflation has fallen, it’s still higher than the Bank of England’s 2% target at 4.6% in the 12 months to October 2023.

Ahead of his speech, Hunt faced pressure to reduce the tax burden on both households and businesses while there was speculation about a potential Inheritance Tax cut, which didn’t materialise.

In his ...

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2023 Autumn Statement outlined, in his words, “eight months of hard work” and no fewer than 110 measures to help grow the British economy. Contained within are a raft of measures set to overhaul everything from minimum wage and benefit payments to tax, business investment, and more. 

The Winners

Young and low-paid staff

Although the news was released ahead of the main statement, the announcement confirmed a large-scale increase to the national living wage, bringing the hourly rate from £10.42 to £11.44 (an i...

Reducing debt

• The government is reducing debt and borrowing, with borrowing forecast to be lower this year, next year, and on average over the forecast period compared to the OBR's March forecast.
• Underlying debt is also lower as a percentage of GDP, by an average of 2.1 percentage points across the forecast.
• The government is on track to meet its debt and borrowing fiscal rules with greater headroom against both rules compared to spring.
• The government has made available up to £14.1 billion for the NHS and adult social care and an add...