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UK house prices flat after four-month fall as interest rates bite

Halifax figures show average house price largely unchanged in January at £281,684 UK house prices were roughly flat in January, having fallen in the previous four months, according to Halifax. Average prices were stable at £281,684 last month, the lender said, after sharp falls of 1.3% in December and 2.4% in November. Continue reading…

UK shoppers rein in spending despite sales as cost of living crisis takes toll

British Retail Consortium says sales growth slowed in January amid soaring costs for energy and food British consumers sharply cut their spending in January as the cost of living crisis damaged household finances, retailers have warned, amid growing concern over the impact of high inflation on the economy. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said sales […]

‘I’m really worried’: homeowners and would-be buyers on UK interest rates

As the base rate reaches 4%, we hear from people concerned about rising mortgage costs Chris Felix-Hill, 47, and his wife, Adeline, from Steeple, Essex, are struggling to keep alive their dream of one day becoming homeowners, after “demoralising” house price rises during the pandemic and yet another interest rate rise from the Bank of […]

Bank of England raises UK interest rates to 4%

Hike of 0.5 percentage points lifts rates to 14-year high, but BoE says shorter and shallower recession now more likely Interest rates rise again but Bank of England hints at a brighter future The Bank of England raised interest rates for a tenth consecutive time on Thursday from 3.5% to 4%, but said inflation may […]

UK demand for mortgages slumps as interest rates deter buyers

Bank of England figures also reveal many households are dipping into savings, rather than using credit cards Demand for mortgages has collapsed to its lowest level since the depths of the 2020 lockdown as potential homebuyers are deterred by rising interest rates, the latest official figures show. The Bank of England said the number of […]

Priced-out UK house-hunters turn to lorry-sized tiny homes

Trailer-like homes are attracting people struggling to buy or rent a house. Our writer went to size one up You might bump your head, and the wheels betray its caravan roots, but it’s yours – and that’s the key for a growing number of people fleeing the UK housing crisis in a “tiny home”. Factory-built, […]

The UK may avoid a recession for now but it won’t feel like it for many

Jeremy Hunt is not getting carried away by November growth, and monthly GDP moves can be erratic UK economy grew by only 0.1% in November Business live updates: UK may avoid 2022 recession In normal circumstances the fact that the UK economy eked out a bit of growth in November would be of little relevance, […]

UK economy grew by only 0.1% in November

Figure comes as people began Christmas shopping, while World Cup gave pubs and bars a boost UK may avoid recession but it won’t feel like it for many Business live updates: UK may avoid 2022 recession The UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in November as consumers headed to the shops in the run-up to […]

Mortgage payers face squeeze in 2023 after UK interest rate rises

Wealthy people who own home outright will avoid higher costs and benefit from better return on savings Homeowners with mortgages will be among the biggest losers from the cost of living crisis in 2023 due to interest rate rises, while the wealthiest UK households will benefit from better returns on savings and investments, according to […]