[ Ministers have held talks with farmers and food industry representatives amid fears that the crisis in the Red Sea could lead to a rise in supermarket prices. Discussions have been taking place in Whitehall to try to prevent the crisis caused by attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping pushing up inflation again. Only a … Read more
[ Fears the UK could sink into a recession linger on despite tentative signs of economic growth towards the end of last year. The Treasury was buoyed by the latest figures showing the UK economy grew by more than expected in November, with sources insisting the Government’s plan “is working”. But there are still concerns … Read more
[ Car insurance is more expensive when being paid for monthly (Photo: Alexander Koerner/Getty) Paying monthly for your car insurance has always been an expensive business. Most car insurers insist that you pay your full year’s premium upfront. But if, like many, you can’t afford to do that – then insurers or brokers will lend … Read more
[ Labour will crack down on private schools’ use of loopholes to avoid paying VAT on school fees if the party comes to power, i can reveal. Sir Keir Starmer will end the tax-exempt status of independent schools immediately and in full if he becomes prime minister. It means private school fees will be hit … Read more
[ When Daniel Hewson first laid eyes on his flat in the summer of 2013, he knew it’d be perfect for his profession. As a piano teacher and pianist who mostly tutors from home, ambience was important to him. The flat, a one-bed private rental in Hastings, was affordable – at £390 per month. It … Read more
[ Is the mortgage market turbulence getting you down? Have you got a mortgage-related question you need answering? Email in and we’ll get one of our experts to reply. Nick Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, has given his advice to a reader below. If you have a question for our experts, email us … Read more
[ Time has run out to prevent a public health disaster in Gaza, humanitarian groups have said, as streets fill with sewage and just a quarter of hospitals remain open. Just nine of the 36 hospitals which were open in Gaza before violence erupted in early October are still operational, and none are situated in … Read more
[ Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt fired the starting gun on the 2024 general election campaign on Wednesday by announcing the date for what is expected to be a tax-cutting Budget. The Chancellor is likely to unveil pre-election giveaways in his set-piece event on 6 March, in a bid to win over voters whose finances … Read more
[ Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are plotting a spending trap for Labour by dictating the amount of money available for public services before the next election. The move would force Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to decide before the election how much they want to allocate to each department and where they would … Read more
[ The Christmas getaway has begun with 22 and 23 December set to be the busiest days on roads, railways and at airports. Around 21 million festive car journeys are taking place this week, according to the RAC, while engineering works will affect rail journeys across many parts of the country. Eurostar has added services … Read more
