News

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.

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.

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.

Unilever 'moving at speed' to create new beauty powerhouse after food spin-off

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.'

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.

Major alert that YOUR password is no longer safe. Here's how to fix it: Step by step, how to navigate the confusing world of passkeys

Today

Passwords have provided a safe way of securing our digital accounts for decades. But a secret string of letters and numbers is no longer enough to keep your personal information safe.

BA won't refund my wife for flight home from Australia that it axed when Iran war began: SALLY SORTS IT

Today

My wife travelled to Australia recently to help nurse her dad, who was recovering from an operation for bladder cancer.

Minimum wage hikes killing off job opportunities for the young, warns CBI chief

Yesterday

Labour is killing off job opportunities for the young by pricing them out of work with huge increases in the minimum wage, according to the new boss of the Confederation of British Industry.

VW and Mercedes challenge City watchdog's £9bn motor finance compensation scheme

Yesterday

Volkswagen said it had identified issues that 'require independent clarification' and wanted to ensure the scheme 'is applied fairly and accurately'.

Astra invests £300m in Britain after government agrees to spend more on medicines

Yesterday

It marks a partial U-turn after the drugs giant, Britain's biggest listed company, put a plan to spend £200m on its Cambridge site on pause last year.

Corks popping at Chapel Down after English wine maker sold 1m bottles of fizz for first time last year

Yesterday

The milestone means that the firm is edging towards its ambitious goal to hold the equivalent of a 1% share of the global Champagne market by 2035.

Big pharma can boost Britain: Labour must not let our flagship firms drift away, says RUTH SUNDERLAND

Yesterday

One area where the UK still performs well on an international stage is pharmaceuticals, led by AstraZeneca and GSK.

Adidas shares sprint ahead thanks to early demand for World Cup football products

Yesterday

Sportswear giant Adidas rose on the Frankfurt stock exchange after citing building excitement for the FIFA World Cup tournament. Sales have been driven by demand for football kits and balls.

The latest news