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- UK households have paid extra £13,961 on bills since 2021 amid soaring inflation, TUC says
Finance
Trades Union Congress urges chancellor to tackle rising additional living costs in this month’s budget UK households have paid almost £14,000 on average in additional costs for mor
- English and Welsh water firms could be forced to return £107m via lower bills
Finance
Yorkshire and Thames among providers facing penalties for missing performance targets, but bills could rise elsewhere Business live – latest updates Thames Water, Yorkshire Water a
- Energy bills through the roof? Five signs your house is leaking heat
Finance
From finding draughts to buying a thermal leak detector – there are simple, cost-effective ways to start sorting heat loss How to storm-proof your home, from roof tiles to garden f
- 'Ban extortionate premiums on pay-monthly car insurance,' urge campaigners – something MSE has long warned about
Finance
Campaigners are calling for a ban on extra charges for paying car insurance monthly, warning that motorists unable to pay an annual premium upfront can face interest rates of up to
- Britons travelling to EU countries told not to apply for delayed Etias visa waiver
Finance
Abta advice comes as more than more than 150 websites offer service of securing entry to Schengen zone Britons travelling to EU countries have told not to apply for an Etias visa w
- Drivers forced to use parking apps can pay up to 40% more
Finance
Council car parks have switched away from ticket machines to cut costs, leading to extra fees for users Drivers are unwittingly paying up to 40% more to park as more councils switc
- Family cuts home energy bills to zero after solar, battery and heat pump retrofit
Finance
A Milton Keynes household will pay no home energy bills for five years under an Octopus tariff, provided it stays within fair-use limits.
- North West house prices rise 3.9% as UK growth slows sharply
Finance
Nationwide says the North West, including Cheshire, remained England’s strongest-performing region in the third quarter despite weaker growth across the wider UK housing market.
- Wirral Mother Faces Tough Choices as Housing Benefit Gap Grows
Finance
A Wirral single mother is among renters turning to food banks as the gap between housing benefit and rent reaches £158 a month, with significant disparities in London.
- Zero-deposit mortgages grow as more first-time buyers struggle to save
Finance
More first-time buyers are turning to mortgages requiring little or no deposit, offering another route onto the property ladder but bringing higher borrowing costs and greater fina
- Interest rates held at 3.75% as Bank of England warns inflation could top 4%
Finance
The Bank of England has kept interest rates unchanged but warned that persistent Middle East tensions and higher energy prices have increased the risk of inflation remaining above
- Gloomy forecast for tenants as rent rises set to speed up
Finance
The cost of renting is expected to rise by 4% or 5% a year by December, according to property website Zoopla.
- UK House Prices Increase for First Time Since April, According to Nationwide
Finance
In August, the average price of a home rose by 0.2% month-on-month to £275,465, marking the first increase since April, as the market anticipates an interest rate decision.
- First-time Buyer ISA vs Lifetime ISA: Which Should You Choose?
Finance
Experts recommend opening a Lifetime ISA now despite plans for a new First-time Buyer ISA, which may not offer as many benefits.
- Iran war could cost average UK household £2,400 by end of 2027
Finance
Higher energy prices, inflation and weaker wage growth linked to the Iran conflict could reduce the real disposable income of an average UK household by £2,400 over 2026 and 2027,
- Winter energy prices expected to rise to three-year high
Finance
Millions of households will be affected by an increase in the energy price cap by regulator Ofgem.
- North West property market remains resilient as homes take longer to sell across Britain
Finance
Half of local housing markets across Great Britain are taking longer to secure buyers than a year ago, but Zoopla data shows the North West continues to outperform many parts of th
- Best student bank accounts for 2026 as experts say look beyond the freebies
Finance
Cash bonuses, free food and railcards can make student accounts attractive, but experts say the size and terms of an interest-free overdraft could prove considerably more valuable
- Burnham urged to protect 4 million gig economy workers
Finance
Campaigners are calling for action to safeguard gig economy workers' rights, including sick pay and protection against unfair dismissal.
- UK Faces Renewed Cost of Living Squeeze as Energy Bills Rise
Finance
Official figures are expected to show UK inflation rising to 2.9% in July, driven by increased energy costs linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.
- UK House Prices Flat in July as North West Records 2.1% Annual Growth
Finance
Higher mortgage rates are continuing to constrain buyers, although property values in the North West are still rising faster than the UK average.
- Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% for fifth consecutive meeting
Finance
The Bank of England has kept its base interest rate at 3.75%, with policymakers citing persistent inflation and global uncertainty as reasons for maintaining borrowing costs at the
- UK inflation falls to 2.6% in June, benefiting Andy Burnham's plans
Finance
UK inflation decreased to 2.6% in June, a drop that supports Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to reducing living costs.
- Cheshire homeowner wins £7,603 council tax refund after successful rebanding challenge
Finance
A Cheshire homeowner reclaimed more than £7,600 after successfully challenging the council tax band on their property, with the case prompting officials to suggest neighbouring hom
- Glasgow tops the list of UK cities for first-time buyers
Finance
According to the Tembo First Time Buyer Index for Q2 2026, Glasgow is the most favourable city for first-time buyers, followed by Liverpool and Belfast.
- Metro Bank Introduces 100% Mortgages for First-Time Buyers
Finance
Metro Bank has launched a new mortgage product allowing eligible first-time buyers to borrow up to 100% of a property's value with a family member as a joint borrower.
- South East Water to pay £30.5m penalty after multiple supply failures
Finance
The package follows three separate investigations into the company’s performance, with customers set to benefit through lower bills and investment.
- Coffee Prices Surge Amid Inflationary Pressures
Finance
Coffee prices continue to climb as poor harvests, rising business costs and global supply pressures push up the cost of everything from supermarket beans to café flat whites.
- Ryanair has axed its family seating policy – but kids’ fees still add up
Finance
Ryanair has removed its family seating charge for children under 12, but parents could still face significant extra costs when travelling with infants and adding baggage or other e
- Could Andy Burnham scrap stamp duty?
Tax
Andy Burnham has previously backed reform of stamp duty and council tax, but no changes have been confirmed. Here’s what has been proposed and what it could mean for homeowners.
- Interest rates may need to rise this year, says Bank of England economist
Finance
Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill has warned that interest rates may need to rise again to deal with inflationary pressures.
- ‘Tracker mortgages are back’ – but is one the right choice for you?
Finance
The uncertain interest rate outlook is making tracker deals popular again. We look at the pros and cons of both types of loanWith some experts warning that we may have to brace our
- Labour to expand youth work experience and training schemes
Finance
Announcement comes after former minister Alan Milburn says Britain has neglected a generation of young peopleMinisters are expanding youth work experience and training schemes, aft
- Renting has its downsides, but I’ve decided to stop waiting and start living – plants, garden furniture and all | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Finance
Yes, I could worry about all the money I’ve ‘thrown away’ but, like my fellow renter the Princess of Wales, I’m digging inIt was cheering to read that William and Kate’s new lease
- UK drivers struggle to get insurance for Chinese EVs such as Jaecoo
Finance
Firms do not offer cover for some models, or charge more than for equivalent petrol cars, research finds‘Temu Range Rover’: what the Jaecoo 7 says about China’s electric car ascend
- UK’s largest housebuilder to buy less land in blow to Labour’s homes target
Finance
Barratt Redrow blames effects of Iran war and expected impact on mortgages and costs for further reductionGovernment’s 1.5m housebuilding target is suffering subsidenceBritain’s la
- UK food inflation ‘could hit 9%’, trade body warns as Reeves meets retail chiefs
Finance
Discussion on how to ease impact from Iran war coincides with Food and Drink Federation almost tripling forecastFood inflation could hit 9% in the UK this year even if the strait o
- UK savers told to act now before Easter Sunday cash Isa deadline
Finance
Interest rates as high as 4.45% and a steep cut in next year’s allowance fuel forecast of last-minute rush Savers who want to make the most of this year’s cash Isa allowance are be
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