The issue of increasing the personal allowance for the 2025/26 taxpayer has become a matter of national outrage, with thousands of petitions and calls to action by citizens to raise the tax-free earnings limit, which is currently set at £ 12,570. With inflation and wage rises keeping consumers in higher tax brackets, proposals to increase the personal allowance by a substantial amount have been gaining traction. This article discusses the current changes, whether the increase will occur, as well as its possible consequences for taxpayers and the government’s position by July 2025.

The Current Personal Allowance and the Fiscal Drag

The personal allowance, or the level of income that someone can earn before paying income tax, has remained at GBP 12,570 since the tax year 2021/22. This freeze was extended until April 2028 by the preceding Conservative administration. The financial effect of this stagnation, coupled with increasing wages and inflation, has resulted in what is known as fiscal drag —the impact of more people being drawn into paying taxes or facing increased tax rates without an increase in the tax base. Based on the calculations of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), this freeze is expected to raise an additional £ 29.3 billion every year by 2027/28, resulting in the creation of 3.2 million new taxpayers and a shift of 2.1 million people into higher tax bands.

In the tax year 2025-26, the personal allowance remains at £12,570, but subjects other individuals who earn above £ 100,000 to an adjustment of £ 1 for every £ 2 earned, ultimately vanishing at £ 125,140. It is an arrangement that is unequally impacting low- and middle-income earners, especially pensioners, who are finding their state pensions coming closer to the threshold for both payment and entitlement, and thus being exposed to taxation liabilities unknowingly.

Political and Media Demand for a Pay Rise

The concern of increasing personal allowance with the help of social media and petitions was discussed in public. A high-profile petition, which was closed in August 2025 and had garnered 281,792 signatures, sought to raise the target to 20,000, arguing that it would alleviate pressure on low-paid workers and pensioners, boost the economy, and reduce dependency on benefits. A separate petition, promoting a standard of 45,000 pounds, attracted 47,717 signatures but was also rejected on economic grounds. Cross-references have been noted in X with other categories of posts, suggesting a slight increase of £50 to reach, say, the figure of 15,597, in comparison with inflation and living expenses.

This was acknowledged by MPs, including Labour’s Atkinson Lewis and Liberal Democrat Cooper Daisy, in the May 2025 parliamentary debate, that the cry for help was evident among the people. Cooper emphasised the success of her party in improving the allowance between 2010 and 2015, helping more than three million individuals avoid paying income tax. However, the government, under Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been opposing such appeals on the grounds of fiscal responsibility. An allowance of £20,000 would amount to more than £ 50 billion a year, which is a quarter of the NHS budget, and a £ 45,000 threshold could cost roughly £ 270 billion.

The View of Government and Options

In its first Budget after the July 2025 election, the Labour government decided not to freeze further the threshold (meant to last until 2028). It indicated that increases based on inflation may resume in 2028/29. Rather than increasing the personal allowance, the government has concentrated on other steps to help low earners, such as a 4.1 per cent increase to state pension triple lock, increasing state pension each year by the higher of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5 per cent, giving an added 470 annual to full new state pension recipients by 202526 and a rise in the National Living Wage to PS12.21 per hour in April 2025, benefiting more than three million employees. These measures are aimed at increasing disposable income without altering tax thresholds.

The government explains that the UK has one of the most favourable personal allowances among the G7 and that concerns about stability, particularly in relation to government finances, are essential in terms of managing inflation and purchasing public services. The critics, however, argue that by increasing frozen thresholds, the freeze is eroding these measures, since, in essence, higher tax levels are imposed, given the extent to which the tax levels are applied to pensioners whose state pensions will be subject to taxes in case they are supplemented with other forms of income.

Possible Effects of an Increase

Increasing the personal allowance by 20,000 would exempt millions of people from income tax, including pensioners and part-time workers, as well as young people. It would raise the disposable income level, which could lead to economic growth and consumer spending. Nevertheless, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), such a decision would cost 10 percent of tax revenue—about 40 to 90 billion as of April 2010—making the public either reduce funding for services or raise other taxation, including VAT or corporation tax. As proposed on X, a more restrained rise to 15,597 would also cost 27-30 billion and would help to draw thresholds closer to those of inflation.

To high earners, increasing allowance would not be much of a difference because those earning above 100,000 have a tapered allowance. Refunds, such as those from salary sacrifice plans or pension contributions, continue to be tax-friendly.

Looking Ahead

There is no immediate intention to increase the 2025/26 personal allowance as of July 2025. The government is keen to strike a balance between austerity and specific preferences, such as pay increments and pension enhancements. Nevertheless, as the next Budget is likely to take place in March 2026, the pressure from petitions and discussions with society can influence future policy. Taxpayers are given an option to use available reliefs, including Marriage Allowance (transferable) or Blind Person Allowance, to enhance their tax-free income.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has been inspirational to millions of women born in the 1950s, who were negatively impacted by modifications to the State Pension age. Through years of tireless campaigning, the one question on the tip of many lips is: when will the WASPI compensation start? This paper examines current events, upcoming schedules, eligibility, and the benefits that will be gained by the affected women in 2025.

WASPI Campaign Background

The WASPI is a movement that symbolizes around 3.8 million women who were born between April 6, 1950, and April 5, 1960, and who endured high emotions and financial distress due to the sudden rise of the State Pension age by the government of England. The Pensions Act 1995 was introduced to equalize the pension age between men and women, which was initially 65 and later raised to 66 by 2018, accelerated by the Pensions Act 2011. Nonetheless, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) did not clearly explain to women how they would go about it, and most of them are not willing to wait until retirement.

In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) ruled that the DWP had been negligent in its correspondence to the women, stating that this was maladministration and that a payout of 1,000 or 2,950 should be made to each affected woman. Nevertheless, both the former Conservative government and the current Labour government, under the stewardship of Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, have opposed the introduction of a compensation scheme on the grounds of the enormous expenditure required, which is estimated at £ 10.5 billion.

New Trends in the Payment of Compensation

By July 2025, there is still no exact start date of the compensation payments to WASPI. Yet, there is extensive improvement. In March 2025, the PHSO once again vindicated its judgments, calling on the government to form a system of compensation. Cross-party negotiations in Parliament in April and May 2025 proposed a payout plan with payments phased, where hypothetical early repayments could start in September 2025. The final selection criteria and financing plans are expected to be finalized between June and August 2025, with a complete launch anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The WASPI movement has also been gathering pace, with large trade unions such as Unison voting overwhelmingly in June 2025 to sign up to the cause of campaigning on compensation. A legal action seeking to challenge the government’s refusal to pay has also been crowdfunded to the tune of over 219,000 as the UK aims to reconsider the government’s decision not to pay. The High Court’s agreement to conduct this review is a landmark because the court would need approximately two to three months to deliberate on it.

Estimated Schedule of Payments and Eligibility

Although the exact date of implementation remains uncertain, it is reported that payments will be made as early as September 2025, and the system will be tiered, giving priority to those who have suffered the most. Women who qualify are likely those born between April 6, 1950, and April 5, 1960, and who can prove they are financially or emotionally distressed due to poor communication regarding pension age changes. The compensation values will range from 1,000 to 10,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances, and will not be subject to taxation; instead, they will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the recipients.

Women should update their National Insurance records and provide accurate personal information to the DWP to qualify. When the window to make claims opens, possibly in August 2025, documentation may be required, including your birth date and evidence of financial loss. The WASPI campaign emphasizes the importance of obtaining information from official sources and the risks associated with falling victim to so-called compensation scams that promise compensation in exchange for providing personal information.

Political and Public Support

The political call and popular support for the cause of the WASPI are high. A petition demanding compensation received 161,790 signatures, a parliamentary debate on March 17, 2025, identified how urgent the issue was. Even though Labour initially refused to make promises about offering payouts, mounting pressure has been felt as the General Election is scheduled for July 2025. Others, such as former WASPI supporters, have stated that they will make it their priority if they are re-elected through Labour MPs.

The government’s refusal to compensate has been described by critics as unacceptable, with Rebecca Hilsenrath, the chief executive of the PHSO, stating that the recognition of maladministration without remedy undermines justice. The Liberal Democrats, as they were in government, and the former pensions minister Steve Webb, who supports them, have stated that legal challenges have a way to go because any change in pension age was legal, and the test is maladministration, not unlawfulness.

Looking Ahead

The stage of the WASPI compensation saga has reached a point where decisions must be made. As the judicial review begins and public pressure grows by the day, 2025 may be the year when millions of women will finally receive redress, long overdue. Women who are affected will be advised to remain active, check WASPI and DWP updates regularly, keep their records up to date, and avoid fraudulent schemes. Its longevity has already sparked a wider debate on the issue of pension policies’ transparency and government accountability, which may lead to further overhauls in the future.

Baillie Gifford & Co. manages Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC (LON:SMT), a FTSE 100 member that has garnered the most attention among investors due to its exposure to a diverse portfolio of high-growth equities worldwide. On July 24, 2025, The trust had a close price at 1,071.50p, which was 6.21% below its 52-week high of 1,142.50p as recorded on February 18, 2025 but 5 percent up on the year-to-date basis.

Scottish Mortgage is still one of the largest and most widely recognised investment trusts, with a market capitalisation of approximately £ 12.03 billion and 1.15 billion shares in issue. The article also examines the forces behind the share price of SMT, its recent performance, featured share holdings, and the firm’s future outlook for 2025, making it one of the leading stories for investors.

Share Price Performance and Market Context

The Scottish Mortgage stock price has seen moderate growth in 2025, with a 12-month performance of 11.83% over the FTSE 100, as of the last reported date, July 16, 2025. In three years, the trust has shown an 17.62 percent and a higher growth in the past has been demonstrated by the FTSE 100 by 9.33 percent over the same period, but the low index is behind the ten earn returns of 42.81 percent behind SMT s 17.80 percent. The share price within the trust has varied between 733.80p at the lower end and 1,142.50p at the upper end of the 52-week range, indicating its naturally seasoned, unfixed, growth-oriented portfolio.

Technical indicators display a strong buy signal on July 23, 2025, across various timeframes. Although the price of 1,048.00p is currently below the 50-day moving average, it is also reinforced by high growth-sector momentum. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of the trust is approximately 11.01, based on the twelve trailing months of EPS at 0.95p, and this valuation appears to be relatively affordable for a growth-focused fund.

Strategic Focus and Portfolio Strength

The investment objective of the Scottish Mortgage is to maximize the total returns over the long term through an exposure to a diversified portfolio of globally identified public and private growth companies. The trust, which is benchmark-agnostic and managed by Baillie Gifford fund management, allows fund managers Tom Slater and Lawrence Burns to pursue high-conviction opportunities in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary. By August 2024, significant positions were held in Amazon (6%), PDD Holdings and Meituan (combined 6%), and SpaceX (4.8%), indicating an extreme lean toward disruptive innovation.

The distribution of the trust has significantly influenced its performance, as it has exposure to Chinese tech stocks, including PDD Holdings and Meituan. The optimism surrounding these companies has been given an added boost by the aggressive stimulus packages announced by China at the end of 2024, and there are possibilities of further upside in the net asset value (NAV) of SMT.

Additionally, their shareholding in SpaceX, particularly its Starlink satellite broadband division, has generated some hype because it is presumed they will conduct an IPO in 2025. Provided that it comes to reality, the Starlink IPO would have a substantial positive effect on the NAV of SMT, as investors are eager to invest in Elon Musk-led projects.

Highlights of Operation and Finances

As reflected in the annual report of Scottish Mortgage, which covered the year ending March 31, 2025, the company experienced strong NAV growth, due to its approach of focusing on outlier firms with a stable competitive position and management team. The current charges of this trust amounted to 0.32 percent as of March 31, 2025, and this figure is competitive, given the substantial amount remaining for the trust’s shareholders. However, its dividend yield is not high at 0.42 as it is not mainly concerned with the dividend yield.

Gearing (borrowing to invest) is used by the trust, which adds risk but also increases returns when the markets go bullish. By July 2025, the SMT portfolio will cover North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, and will include investments in consumer discretionary, technology, healthcare, and other companies. With this international diversification and exposure of shareholders to the stock of privately held firms, shareholders naturally have access to opportunities that are typically limited to institutional investors.

Analyst Opinion and Stock Rater

The sentiment among analysts who cover Scottish Mortgage is tentatively positive, as the consensus rating is a “buy” with one “buy” and one “hold” rating. The current price suggests a potential price hike of approximately 35 percent or more in the next 12 months, as the company aims to reach 1,408.5p shortly. Nevertheless, the potential risks of currency fluctuations, the volatility of emerging markets, and potential liquidity issues in privately invested funds are issues of concern.

The mood among investors, as depicted in the postings on X and share chat sites such as lse.co.uk, is one of mixed feelings. Other fund managers have become optimistic as a result of SMT having exposure to high-growth areas and the hypothetical IPO of Starlink. Some add that the trust has been historically volatile and sensitive to macroeconomic events, including changes in interest rates and geopolitical stresses. As one of the recent X posts made by @InvestingUK stated, the tech-enriched portfolio of SMT could “rocket” should the trend in AI and green technology persist post-2025.

Opportunities and Risks

The concentration of Scottish Mortgage in growth stocks implies inherent volatility, and the prices can be significantly affected by the market mood. The investments made by the trust in emerging markets, especially China, are subject to risks such as political instability and regulatory changes. Additionally, using gearing may increase losses if the portfolio values drop. Nevertheless, the trust’s low-cost structure, management experience, and exposure to changing industries make it a strong contender in terms of long-term performance.

The possible Starlink IPO and the persistence of Chinese tech stocks are the most topical 2025 catalysts. Additionally, Amazon’s high earnings growth estimation, driven by its supremacy in cloud computing and e-commerce, may also strengthen the NAV of SMT. Investors should be prepared to tolerate short-term fluctuations, although they may find that the trust’s long-term timetable aligns with the growth trend of its assets.

Conclusion

The value of the shares focusing on the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust in 2025 reflects resilience, opportunity, and a high-conviction portfolio, alongside strategic insight into global growth firms. Although the long-term track record against the FTSE 100 is poor, a new focus on internet technologies and artificial intelligence, along with possible catalysts such as an IPO by Starlink, will make SMT a new potential outperformer.

The trust offers a competitive fee structure and has a history of selecting outlier companies; therefore, it remains an attractive choice among investors with a high risk profile who can invest over five years. With the global economy undergoing a period of rapid technological evolution, Scottish Mortgage is well-positioned to capitalize on surging trends in the future, which is why the stock should be a substantial long-term investment in the 2025 forecast.

Premier African Minerals Limited (LON: PREM) is a UK-based exploration and mining company specializing in strategic metals in Africa, which attracted significant investor interest in 2025 when its stock experienced high volatility in its price. The shares of the companies have experienced a tumultuous year, with the current share price of the company ranging from approximately 0.02p to 0.03p, representing an 83.68 percent decrease compared to the FTSE All-Share Index over the year to date.

Notwithstanding this, the company has shown new hope as it improves its operations at the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Zimbabwe, thereby fueling trading activities and share price movement. This paper examines the factors influencing the share price of Premier African Minerals, including recent trends and future investment prospects for 2025.

Premier African Minerals- a Tumultuous Year

It has been a challenging 2025, with the share price of Premier African Minerals falling significantly since reaching a high of 0.114p to a low of 0.0100p. At the close of July 24, 2025, it was trading at 0.02p, giving a market capitalisation of c. SGP, $ 8 billion to SGP, $ 12.70 billion, again depending on the source, and more than 50.97 billion shares in issue.

The price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of the company is -0.50, indicating that it is not yet a profit-making company and is struggling with its operations. PREM stocks were performing comparatively weaker than the FTSE All Share Index by -8.97% in the last six months, with -17.88% relative lackluster performance compared to its 200-day moving average, which is a bearish trend on a short-term basis.

This volatility is not unusual for penny stocks, such as Premier African Minerals, which are inherently high-risk and expose investors to operational risks and market sentiment on a weekly basis. However, recent news on the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project has started to turn the tide in this area, with bullish updates on X of early returns being very high, and results from flotation tests have hit concentrate levels over 5 percent, the milestone figure that lithium miners require.

Zulu Lithium Project: This is a Game Changer to PREM

At the center of Premier African Minerals’ growth strategy is the Tucson-based Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, situated in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe, near Fort Rixon. It was disclosed on July 21, 2025, that the company had completed the reopening of the Zulu plant, following the installation of the spodumene flotation segment drivers.

Chief Executive Officer George Roach highlighted the successful assembly of the plant’s parts, and they had put the plant into operation with limited feed so that they could check the operations. Full commissioning and optimization were to follow soon. Investors have congratulated the accomplishment with a post on X by @Mining_Zimbabwe and a post by @SundayNewsZimba declaring the accomplishment a breakthrough for the company.

Its successful test runs, producing concentrate grades over 5%, make Premier African Minerals one of the new entrants in the global lithium market, which has been seeing strong demand on the back of the green power transition. Recently, the demand for lithium, a vital component of electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage applications, has been increasing steadily. The Zulu project will thus catalyze the recovery of the share price of PREM.

Talks With Glencore and Corporate News

Another important piece of news that could impact the company’s share price is its discussions with Glencore, one of the world’s largest commodity companies. An April 23, 2025, press release said that a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) was agreed to on August 31, 2025, according to RNS (Regulatory News Service) news on June 11, 2025.

The LOI involves Glencore, Canmax, and Premier, with additional negotiations considering grade and recovery performance at the Zulu project. Investors have been encouraged by the fact that there have been no negative announcements from Glencore, and some have taken this as a sign that “no news is good news,” as the regulations only require announcements when a share price will be materially affected.

Additionally, Premier African Minerals reissued an additional 1.6 billion ordinary shares on July 22, 2025, to repay accrued interest on a loan taken by one of the directors. Although such a dilutive measure may strain the share price, it also demonstrates the company’s attempts to distribute its financial commitments and develop projects.

Sentiment and Market Outlook analysts

The opinion of the analysts toward Premier African Minerals is split in two directions, however, with a general lean towards being pessimistic. The consensus score indicates a Strong Buy, with one analyst predicting a price target of 0.97p in 12 months, representing a significant rise from the current 0.02p. Walletinvestor.com, however, offers a more pessimistic forecast, predicting that the price might fall to 0.000001 GBX due to the high volatility of this stock and adverse market conditions regarding the stocks of basic materials. Stockopedia ranks PREM as a Sucker Stock, with risk factors associated with its Quality, Value, and Momentum scores.

Nevertheless, due to concerns regarding lithium and tantalum, as well as its strategic Zimbabwean projects, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on long-term demand patterns. The development of the Zulu project and potential cooperation with industry giants such as Glencore are likely to bring the project considerable upside, provided operational difficulties are addressed.

Share Price and Investor Sentiment Drivers

Share chat boards such as lse.co.uk and postings on X are divided according to investor sentiment. Other investors are bullish, based on their latest operational successes and the possibility of shipping lithium to China, which saw a notable share price boost in 2023. Others are not as confident, citing setbacks in operations, such as the inability to start up the Zulu plant during an earlier test run. Share chat forums vent anger at the lack of communication by the company, with one user stating, ‘It is quite peculiar for any company to wait so long to make an announcement.’

The trade has been brisk, with 650 million shares traded on June 23, 2025; however, the stock declined by 1.19% on that day. The moving average provides a buy signal for short-term technical indicators. Still, the short-term technical sell signal may likely be ignored due to 0.0232p resistance and a stronger sell signal from long-term averages.

Risks and Opportunities

Driving risks associated with investing in Premier African Minerals include the uncertainties and difficulties of running the business, as well as hurdles with government regulations in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, and the nature of penny stocks, which are inherently unpredictable.

The speculative character of the investment is further supported by the fact that the company does not generate revenue, yet has a negative P/E ratio. Nonetheless, the possibility of increased demand and a healthy lithium supply chain opening, as well as potential significant partnership with major enterprises, creates one of the best investment opportunities that risk-takers may consider.

Conclusion

The share price of Premier African Minerals in 2025 can be described as a delicate balance of operational development, market perception, and the industry as a whole. The recent advances in the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, together with active negotiations with Glencore, have aroused interest and enthusiasm among investors, which has boosted trading volume and volatility in the share prices.

There are risks, but the fact that the company is strategically positioned to deliver high-demand minerals, such as lithium, means that it can still make millionaires out of penny-stock investors who are prepared to deal with its challenges. To indicate the future direction of PREM, investors should watch the next earnings, due on June 27, 2025, and other news regarding the Zulu project.