The FoI was unsuccessful. I've written it up in more detail at https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/who-are-the-actors-in-the-uks-2015-passport/
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I ran the numbers and lump sum investing is slightly better.
See https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/08/is-dollar-cost-averaging-a-bad-idea/
A few caveats:
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Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
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If you are charged a flat fee per trade, that will cost more for drip feeding.
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Opportunity cost of having the money uninvested (for example if a sudden expense appears).
Why don't you apply yourself? This isn't your mum's responsibility.
You can go to https://www.citizencard.com/apply-for-a-uk-id-card-online and apply right now. You can even pay for an urgent application and get it sent out quicker.
As to whether the pub will let you in, you'll have to ask them if your access card is good enough.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to what I could invest this in that’s safe and will also give him hopefully a good return.
Those are two different things. The safest funds will give the lowest return. The riskiest funds have the potential to go higher or lower.
If you specifically want this to be a house deposit, give him £333.33 per month to put into a LISA. The Government will top that up by 25%. That's the best return you will get.
If you want it fairly safe, use a cash LISA. It will pay interest every month and he won't have to pay tax on it.
Firstly, and this might seem like an obvious question, have you reported it? Councils aren't psychic, they can't know everything unless people tell them.
Pop on to https://www.fixmystreet.com/ and see if it has been reported. If not, report it yourself.
Secondly, have you complained about this? I don't mean moaning on Reddit - have you contacted your local councillors?
Go to https://www.writetothem.com/ type in your postcode, and tell your local representatives about the problem.
it felt biased.
Yes. Financial advisors will be biased towards the products they sell. You won't get someone in Sainsbury's telling you there's a better deal at Tesco, will you?
3% didn't sound too bad
It is bad. A SIPP won't charge you a massive percentage up front, nor a hefty fee for each transaction.
any alternatives for pension plans
Vanguard, HL, Plum, and a dozen others. They'll all offer you a SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension). You can transfer your existing pension in (without a fee) and keep paying in (without a fee).
how does one go about finding a good FA?
First, have a think about why you need one. Can you say what you're trying to achieve?
salary sacrifice is something that really benefits me right now
Are you a member of a pension scheme through your employer? If so, look at transferring your existing pension into that.
