From avoidance to evidence: Britain should take the financial literacy test January 6, 2026 We all know an education bore who says at parties: “I would be a lawyer/accountant/doctor/engineer/etc but I just couldn’t be bothered to take the test.” We don’t believe them, so why should we believe a country that says, “We invented modern finance, but please don’t check our homework.” The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [...]
Cost burden on firms rise at fastest pace since May January 6, 2026 Cost burdens on firms rose at their fastest pace since May as bosses dealt with wage growth pressures and sky-high energy prices, new data has indicated. S&P Global’s latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI), a monthly survey tracking hundreds of companies’ performances, showed that cost increases became heavier at the end of last year. Researchers said [...]
Brits borrowed more despite Budget unease January 5, 2026 British consumers took out more in credit over November than expected despite suggestions that Budget speculation would have held people back from taking risks, official data has shown. Economists widely predicted that weeks of speculation over tax rises dampened consumer sentiment and prevented people from borrowing more. But the Bank of England has revealed that [...]
Housing market ended 2025 on ‘softer note’ after ‘resilient’ year January 2, 2026 The UK housing market rounded off 2025 on a softer note after remaining “resilient” through a volatile year, according to Nationwide’s latest house price index. Annual house price growth slowed to 0.6 per cent in December from 1.8 per cent in November, with a 0.4 per cent fall in prices. This took the average UK [...]
House prices plunge around London with Brighton, Crawley hit hardest December 30, 2025 Patches of London’s ‘stockbroker belt’ suffered the most significant decline in house prices this year, as both the capital and the South East fell behind northern regions. The West Sussex town of Crawley suffered an 8.9 per cent drop of £36,317, while High Wycombe saw a 7.4 per cent drop, with £34,994 wiped off house [...]
Rachel Reeves: I have returned stability to the British economy December 19, 2025 The latest cut to interest rates reflects the choices this government has made to restore economic stability, says Rachel Reeves The latest interest rate cut is another sign that we have returned stability to the British economy. The Bank has now reduced rates from four per cent to 3.75 cent, the sixth cut since the [...]
London house prices set to barely budge in 2026 December 18, 2025 Property prices in London are set to rise only marginally next year after falling in 2025 as the capital faces continued housing pressure. London has been hit by a combination of unaffordability and high supply this year, with sellers struggling to push through deals and buyers often able to negotiate prices downward. Government data on [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Inflation eases more than expected ahead of rate decision December 17, 2025 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. We’ve had the latest inflation data this morning, which has shown the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.2 per cent in the 12 months to November 2025. This eased from 3.6 per cent in October 2025. It also beats figures pencilled in by economists, [...]
Bank of mum and dad now funding multiple steps up housing ladder December 17, 2025 The ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ are funding more than just first steps on the housing ladder, with financial gifts pivotal for second steppers too. Nearly 20 per cent of second-time buyers have received support to buy their property, according to new research from Barclays, rising to 30 per cent for first-time buyers. This amounts [...]
Housing market set for ‘return to normality’ after year of uncertainty December 16, 2025 UK house prices have dropped around £2,000 in the last year despite improved access to mortgages and lower interest rates. The average price of a home in the four weeks to 6 December was £358,138, which is 0.6 per cent ( £2,059) lower than the same period a year ago, according to Rightmove. Last year, meanwhile, house [...]