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Premier Inn owner blames Labour tax hikes as it axes 3,800 jobs

Today

Whitbread boss Dominic Paul said the job losses were related to hotels being hit with increases to business rates and national insurance contributions for employers.

What you need to know about the Renters' Rights Act: How it will affect landlords AND tenants

Today

On Friday, the Government's Renters' Rights Act will come into force, giving tenants the biggest increase to their rights in a generation.

Labour's crackdown on keyless car crime: New law makes it illegal to carry gadgets used in three in five vehicle thefts

Today

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 now makes it a criminal offence to manufacture, import, supply, adapt or possess any electronic device that can be used to steal cars.

Small business sales slowed to two-year low even before the Iran war as tax hikes bite

Today

Small firms have been battered by changes to business rates and higher labour costs, following the increase in employer National Insurance contributions.

Mortgage misery for millions: Borrowers face up to SIX interest rate hikes on Iran war inflation shock

Today

Borrowers could be battered with six interest hikes over the coming year if the Iran war causes a sustained rise in oil prices, the Bank of England has warned.

Bank of England HOLDS interest rates at 3.75% - but borrowers brace for more mortgage misery this summer

Today

The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75 per cent today despite the inflation shock caused by the Iran war.

Pavement parking fines incoming across England with councils handed enforcement powers under new law

Today

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act received royal assent on Wednesday, which includes landmark legislation for authorities to tackle dangerous parking.

Unilever warns of price increases as Iran war weighs on retailers

Today

The boss of Unilever said: 'We continue to move at speed to build a simpler, sharper Unilever with a structurally higher growth profile and a brand portfolio fit for the future.'

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% AGAIN: What it means for your mortgage and savings

Today

The Bank of England has once again opted to hold interest rates at 3.75% today, but the base rate is now expected to rise later in the year.

I rented 10 flats in 16 years: Here's why the Renters' Rights Act will hit tenants in the pocket says HELEN CRANE

Today

The changes would have saved me thousands - but I fear they will cost tenants in the long run as landlords flee the market and hike rents,

Property sales fall 41% in a YEAR as buyers lose tax break and Iran war uncertainty takes toll

Today

The housing market has been suffering since the start of the conflict in Iran, as mortgage rates rise and households put off moves due to concerns about the economy.

Generous gifts to avoid inheritance tax can backfire if your children get divorced, lawyers warn

Today

Law firm Hodge Jones & Allen says it is seeing increasing numbers of parents who regret gifts, particularly large sums of money or property.

Government cuts last-minute deal to pass landmark pension law with controversial new investment powers curbed

Today

A row revolved around a so-called 'backstop' to force big pension firms to deliver on a pledge to invest in private assets and infrastructure projects.

Bank of England to slash growth forecasts as inflation shock spells mortgage misery for millions

Today

The Bank of England is set to slash its UK growth forecasts as business confidence tumbles and thousands of 'zombie' firms battered by Labour tax hikes and the Iran war face collapse.

Oil hits $126 and gilt yields soar on Iran turmoil as Lloyds warns of stagflation

Today

Markets were further jolted as it emerged that Donald Trump has discussed the possibility that the US blockade of Iran could last for months.

Standard Chartered sets aside $190m to deal with Iran war losses

Today

The bank has also raised its forecast of the likelihood of a 'sustained' conflict in the Middle East.

Aston Martin secures £50m funding boost after reporting another quarterly loss

Today

The carmaker said it had agreed a new £50million financing facility with a consortium led by top shareholder Lawrence Stroll.

Jerome Powell defies Trump as he insists he has 'no choice' but to stay on at the Federal Reserve

Today

Powell, pictured, delivered his last interest rate decision as chair of the Fed but said he has decided to remain as a rate-setting official.

Our £708 Warner hotel stay in the Cotswolds was ruined by a rowdy hen party: CRANE ON THE CASE

Today

They were drinking, singing and shouting until 2am, meaning we got hardly any sleep and had to abandon some of our plans in the Cotswolds.

Race to 10k: Sunshine and denim shorts help vintage clothes reseller Jess Morton stretch her lead

Today

Online shoppers have snapped up her bundles of denim shorts and printed T-shirts. Antiques dealer Gordon Kennedy has sold nine items so far and is in second place.

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