News

How Labour's leasehold flat reforms could deal a blow to pension funds

Today

Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday proposed that ground rents paid by owners of leasehold properties, mostly flats, will be capped at £250 per year.

Princess of Wales' wedding hairdressers accuse Labour of 'squeezing' salons as business rates backlash mounts

Today

Celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward - who styled the Princess of Wales' hair at her wedding to Prince William in 2011 - said Labour are 'squeezing business'

Ground rent cap won't save us from our 'toxic' homes, say beleaguered leaseholders

Today

Homeowners say they are still being held to ransom by high service charges and hidden commissions, as well as dealing with the aftermath of the cladding scandal.

ABERDEEN ASIA FOCUS seeks growth off the beaten path

Today

Its emphasis is on finding successful investments outside of the big Asian tech firms which attract most attention from investors.

Bereaved families face 'impossible' deadline to stump up inheritance tax on pensions

Today

Family members could start to refuse the crucial role of winding up an estate for fear of becoming personally liable for tax, warns a House of Lords report.

Why markets are on tenterhooks over Trump's pick to replace Fed chief Powell: ALEX BRUMMER

Today

America's central bank, led by chairman Jay Powell (pictured), is widely expected to hold its key interest rate at today's first meeting of the year.

Meet the top-secret NS&I agent who tells Premium Bond holders they're £1m richer

Today

The lives of two Bond holders are transformed on the day before the first working day of every month, when NS&I personally delivers the news.

Rightmove names the 25 towns that saw biggest house price rises in 2025

Today

More affordable locations saw the biggest asking price spikes last year, with areas in Scotland, the north east, and Yorkshire recording double-digit percentage increases.

Spanish hotel accused my son of smoking and locked his room until we paid up - can it do this? Consumer lawyer DEAN DUNHAM replies

Today

My husband and I were recently on holiday in Spain with our adult son. Hotel staff put a note under his door saying he had been smoking - which he had not.

My wood burner saved me £6,000: TOBY WALNE on the cost of owning one and the best models to buy

Today

For the past 12 winters, Toby Walne's wood burner has kept his family warm - and helped to slash energy bills at their rural Hertfordshire home.

Richard Hammond is selling four of his favourite cars... here's what you could buy

Today

The former Top Gear presenter and motoring enthusiast is selling four of his prized motors next month - including a Fast Ford and a pre-war touring car.

Pound soars to four-year high: Sterling tops $1.38 before easing as 'sell America' trading hits the dollar

Today

Sterling rose to $1.3867 - its strongest level since September 2021 - while the euro hit its highest point against the US currency since June that year.

Ground rent cap for leaseholders: What is changing, why is it controversial and when will it happen?

Today

The 4.2million leaseholders who pay ground rent could be set to see their annual bills go down under plans announced by Kier Starmer today.

HMRC stamp duty investigations on the rise as officials snoop on families they suspect of failing to pay - here's what they are looking for

Today

HMRC investigations are on the rise after Angela Rayner was caught having not paid the correct amount of stamp duty last year.

Ineos Grenadier gets an upgrade for 2026: Has a steering overhaul finally made this go-anywhere off-roader better to drive on the road?

Today

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's car brand has updated its Grenadier and Quartermaster models for 2026 based on customer feedback. So, does it drive better than before?

How millions of women are falling behind men in the pension race - and how they can catch up

Today

Fathima Faleel (pictured) came from a culture where pensions weren't mentioned. Now she faces a desperate race to save enough for her future.

Travelodge boss says Labour is 'neglecting' hospitality as business rates bill jumps to £50m

Today

Jo Boydell, the chief executive of Travelodge, said it appears that Labour 'does not understand the economic value' delivered by the hotel sector - after excluding it from tax help.

Tortilla Mexican Grill will 'review' prices after Budget tax raid

Today

It warned that 'cost headwinds' in 2025, in addition to changes announced by the Chancellor, will continue to weigh on the chain.

Inflation hasn't peaked, warns retail chief, as shop price rises near two-year high

Today

Shop price inflation increased to its highest level since early 2024 as the impact of higher business costs fed through to the economy.

AI bubble will burst and there'll be 'carnage along the way', warns top tech boss

Today

The boss of Cisco Systems says says AI could follow similar path to the dotcom bubble.

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