Plain-English Finance Guides
The UK money terms that keep coming up in the news, explained simply. No jargon, no assumed knowledge.
Applying for a spring week or graduate scheme? Kvanta Prep has free practice for the tests and interviews, and firm-by-firm process pages.
All guides are definitions based on official government sources: gov.uk, HMRC, the Bank of England, Ofgem, and the FCA. They are not financial advice.
Income tax explained
UK tax bands, the Personal Allowance, and how PAYE works
National Insurance explained
What NI is, who pays it, current rates, and what it funds
How does an ISA work?
Tax-free savings and the £20,000 annual allowance explained
Lifetime ISA explained
The 25% government bonus, first-time buyer rules, and the withdrawal penalty
What is a pension?
Workplace pensions, auto-enrolment, and the State Pension explained
What is the base rate?
How the Bank of England's rate affects your mortgage and savings
What is inflation?
How CPI is measured and what rising prices mean for your money
How does a mortgage work?
Fixed vs tracker, LTV, repayment types, and SVR explained
How does stamp duty work?
SDLT rates, first-time buyer relief, and the April 2025 changes
What is Capital Gains Tax?
CGT on shares and property, the annual exempt amount and reliefs
How does the energy cap work?
What Ofgem's price cap actually limits on your bill
How does a stocks and shares ISA work?
Tax-free investing, the £20,000 allowance, and what you can hold inside one
State Pension explained
How much you get, NI qualifying years needed, and when you can claim
LISA withdrawal rules
When you can access your money tax-free, and what the 25% penalty actually costs
Do you pay Capital Gains Tax on shares in an ISA?
How ISA tax-free status interacts with Capital Gains Tax
Lifetime ISA contribution limits 2026/27
The £4,000 annual limit and how it fits with your overall ISA allowance
Do you earn interest on a Lifetime ISA?
How Cash and Stocks and Shares LISAs grow, and what the bonus adds
Does a Lifetime ISA count towards your ISA allowance?
How LISA payments use up the £20,000 annual ISA limit
LISA government bonus explained
How the 25% government top-up on LISA payments works
LISA vs Help to Buy ISA
The differences between the two schemes, set out side by side
What does National Insurance go towards?
Where National Insurance money goes: the State Pension, the NHS and benefits
When does the government pay your Lifetime ISA bonus?
How the monthly LISA bonus timing works and why it can take weeks
How do student loan repayments work?
How the 9% and 6% repayments work, the 2026/27 plan thresholds, write-off and more.
What is a tax code?
What 1257L and other tax code letters mean, emergency codes and refunds.
How does workplace pension auto-enrolment work?
Who gets enrolled, what 5% and 3% means in pounds, tax relief, and how to opt out.
Get the news behind these terms, every morning
When the base rate changes, inflation moves, or the Budget lands, Kvanta explains what it means for your money. Free, every weekday morning, in plain English.
Subscribe free →
Disclaimer: These guides are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Kvanta is not regulated by the FCA. All figures, rates, and rules are based on official government publications and are subject to change, always verify with HMRC, gov.uk, or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.