26 May 2026

The time is ripe to help employees to invest

Recent research shows UK workers are less likely to be able to save as high food, energy and housing costs continue to bite into disposable income.

The cost of living continues to stretch household budgets and economic uncertainty persists which means how people save their money is becoming increasingly important for long-term financial security.

Mintel’s Financial Education 2026 report highlights concerns that many UK individuals are holding much of their savings in low-interest cash accounts, rather than investments with the potential for much higher returns.

While cash can feel reassuring during periods of volatility, rising prices mean its value can steadily erode. The UK currently ranks as the lowest retail investing nation in the G7, underlining how heavily people here rely on cash compared with other countries. Mintel’s research also highlights that low confidence and limited understanding remain major barriers to better financial decision making.

The findings come at a time when many households are already under severe financial pressure. Separate research from WEALTH at Work found that almost half of UK workers (47%) say their biggest financial concern is not being able to save enough for the future, while more than half (51%) say they don’t have enough spare income to save regularly. With high food, energy and housing costs squeezing disposable income, simply putting money aside can feel increasingly difficult.

Strain is increasingly visible

“Improving confidence in investing matters because uncertainty and limited understanding often lead people to delay decisions altogether, leaving money in place by default rather than making informed choices,” said Jonathan Watts-Lay, director, Wealth at Work.

Employees report that money worries affect their performance at work by causing increased stress (36%) and mental exhaustion (34%). With knock-on effects for workplace performance including decreased motivation (23%), reduced focus and concentration (20%) and increased sick days (8%).

As a result, how organisations support financial confidence is increasingly being viewed as a core component of broader wellbeing, engagement and productivity strategies – and not just a personal issue for employees.

Mintel’s report shows there is strong appetite to learn more about investing, with 45% of individuals saying they want to build their knowledge. However, it also highlights concerns that reliance on unregulated online content can undermine understanding of risk and investing fundamentals. Improving financial understanding, supported by clear and trustworthy financial education, is therefore critical to helping people make more informed decisions about their savings and reducing the risk of misinformation.

For many people, the workplace is where they have the most regular interaction with their finances, through pay, workplace savings and employer-provided benefits. Building financial confidence requires trusted, easy-to-understand support that helps people feel more informed and capable when managing their money. This is something the workplace is increasingly well placed to provide.

Here are some steps employers can take:

Building confidence with saving and investing

Start with personal goals: Connecting investing to meaningful goals such as buying a home, building an emergency fund or planning for retirement helps make saving feel more purposeful and achievable.
Learn in manageable steps: You don’t need to understand everything at once. Learning the basics in simple, everyday language can make investing feel far easier to approach. By understanding key ideas such as what you’re investing for, how long your money can stay invested and the level of risk you’re comfortable with, first-time investors can build confidence gradually.
Start small - and start early if possible: Begin with an amount that feels comfortable. Even small, regular contributions can grow significantly over time. Starting early gives your money more time to benefit from compound growth. This is where your returns build on both your original savings and previous gains. Importantly, it’s never too late to begin. Saving consistently at any age can still make a meaningful difference.
Adopt a longterm mindset: Markets naturally move up and down, but longterm investing typically rewards patient savers. It’s about time in the market, not trying to time the market.
Make the most of workplace benefits: Some employers now make it easy to save and invest straight from your pay – for example, by offering a Workplace ISA. It’s a simple, taxefficient way to build good savings habits and boost your longterm financial resilience. Many workplaces also offer financial education and guidance, as well as access to investment advice to help you understand your options and make confident decisions about your money - so it’s always worth asking what support is available.
Maximise tax allowances each year: Individuals should regularly review their ISA and pension allowances and make use of them where possible. Using taxefficient allowances throughout the tax year can help reduce tax liability and strengthen longterm financial resilience, rather than leaving decisions until the last minute.
Ask for support when needed: Financial decisions can feel overwhelming. Speaking to your employer about what help they provide - such as financial education sessions - can give you the confidence to make informed choices.