London, March 2, 2026, 08:59 GMT
- Hargreaves Lansdown rolled out its updated pricing structure on March 1, slashing certain fees while introducing others.
- Analysts point to the overhaul as producing distinct winners, while leaving a more vocal minority on the losing side.
- Some married couples face an April 5 deadline to backdate a UK tax relief.
As of March 1, Hargreaves Lansdown rolled out its updated fee structure for investment accounts—some charges went down, but investors will also see fresh fees introduced for particular trades.
This shift comes at a critical moment—March typically sees UK savers reassess ISA and pension options ahead of the April 5 tax-year cut-off. Even minor fee tweaks can compound significantly as time goes on.
It drops into a market where platforms are battling more fiercely for DIY investors, with pricing standing out as one of the only factors customers can size up fast—no need to comb through a 40-page brochure.
Hargreaves’ updated tariff trims the annual “account charge” on its Stocks and Shares ISA and SIPP, dropping it from 0.45% to 0.35%. Online share dealing now sits at £6.95 a trade, but frequent traders—those with 20 or more trades last month—see that cut to £3.95. The platform also brought in a £1.95 fee on online fund transactions. As for account charges on shares, investment trusts, and ETFs, the yearly cap jumps to £150, up from £45. Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves says about 80% of its customers should end up paying less or the same after a shake-up of its investor charges, according to MoneyWeek. Interim CEO Richard Flint described the changes as a step to make investing “simpler and more accessible.” Boring Money’s Holly Mackay said the update is “broadly-speaking good news,” though for those holding ETFs and investment trusts over the long haul, she warned, “the party has ended.” MoneyWeek
Some aren’t buying the idea that complaints will die down. Chris Bredin, consultant at the lang cat, called the headline fee cut “clearly welcome,” but pointed out, “the details matter.” Over at Jefferies, analysts saw the move as probably “a response to outflows” towards cheaper competitors, and highlighted that Hargreaves, by some measures, still charges more than rivals like AJ Bell. Trustnet
Good Money Guide points out that the cut in platform fees and lower-priced share trades will benefit plenty of clients. Still, those trading funds frequently or buying international stocks might not fare as well, once dealing fees and FX — meaning currency conversion costs — get factored in. According to Hargreaves, 94% of customers should see either a saving, no change, or a rise capped at £5 a month.
The new menu isn’t necessarily a win for everyone. Bigger portfolios weighted toward shares will see that annual cap climb; active fund traders get hit with a fee each time they buy or sell. On top of that, competitors are already rolling out calculators and tempting transfer deals.
The fee overhaul arrives just as another personal-finance deadline is catching out millions. MoneySavingExpert, co-authored by consumer finance commentator Martin Lewis, points out that “around two million” eligible couples haven’t claimed the Marriage Tax Allowance. This benefit lets a lower-earning spouse or civil partner shift £1,260 of their personal allowance to their partner, slicing up to £252 off the partner’s tax bill each year. According to the site, claims are still open for backdating to the 2021/22 tax year—yet there’s a clear warning: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) must receive any backdated claim for that year by April 5, 2026, or the £252 tax break for 2021/22 disappears. The site also flags a risk for couples hovering near the income cutoffs; some may end up worse off. Moneysavingexpert
Households get no break here: scrutinize the small print. With platforms splitting hairs over tiny percentage points and tax perks slipping away without notice, sitting still often turns into the priciest move.
