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Karen Barrett, chief executive at unbiased.co.uk highlights the “clear call to advice” emerging from a week of major change in personal finance:

 “This week has been packed with significant and wide-ranging news that will affect people’s personal finances. And whilst final detail is still to be laid out in a number of these areas, we believe that what emerges from all of it is a clear call to advice.

 “The stronger than expected GDP figures offer a promising indicator of economic recovery, which could see optimism begin to return to people’s financial behaviour. Many savers and investors in particular have been holding their money in cash, waiting to reinvest their cash. This group will now be facing the challenge of having to choose the best options for their money, to return short-term gains and long-term growth.

 “Yesterday’s announcement on the introduction of a ‘Junior ISA’ to replace Child Trust Funds will put people in front of a new set of choices on not only where to put their money but also where to invest their children’s savings for the future.

 “At the same time, the pensions landscape is now set for major changes placing even more emphasis on the importance of taking control of your own retirement planning and making proactive steps to provide for a life after work. And the government’s decision to press ahead with its NEST and auto enrolment proposals will add yet another layer to an already confusing list of retirement provision options.

 “So what can people do? We know retirement planning is already the biggest factor that drives people to seek independent financial advice and almost half of all searches on unbiased.co.uk’s ‘find an IFA’ search are to seek help on that area. Clearly this trend will continue in the future - the range of retirement options available to the individual have never been more complex and people will need to draw on the knowledge and market overview of true expert on this field. We would encourage consumers to take charge of their retirement and investment options now by seeking advice from an independent financial adviser.”

 ENDS

Karen Barrett, Chief Executive, unbiased.co.uk: 020 7833 3131

Anna Schirmer/Anna Moulds/Ellie Brooke, Lansons Communications: 020 7294 3682

 For expert commentary or case studies from over 150 media-friendly IFAs, journalists should visit www.unbiased.co.uk/bluebook.

About unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website

 The unbiased.co.uk portal is a free and confidential UK-wide search matching consumers with local professional advisers: ‘find an IFA’, ‘find a mortgage adviser’, and ‘find a solicitor’, and is currently inviting registrations for its ‘find an accountant’ service.  These searches enable consumers to find professional advisers by postcode, area of specialism, qualification and payment method. In 2009, unbiased.co.uk fulfilled half a million searches for local, professional advice. 

 IFA Promotion, the organisation behind unbiased.co.uk, is now in its 21st year, and was set up to promote the benefits of independent financial advice to consumers.  IFAP is sponsored by the following companies:

 Registered Office: unbiased.co.uk is the consumer brand of IFA Promotion Ltd, 90 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. Registered in Scotland: No. 114606