68 h. ago Households urged to lock in a new mortgage deal now after Barclays ups rates and gilt yields hit 27

Households are being urged to lock in a new mortgage deal as soon as possible, after Barclays announced it's upping rates.

Economics

2 d. ago Claims that careful easing of mortgage rules could help more first

UK Finance said its analysis suggests that a modest increase in lending, enabled by lower stress rates, could improve access to mortgages

Politics

4 d. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Trump’s attack on Fed is ‘a serious danger’ – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Politics

4 d. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Profits surge at Royal Mail – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Economics

4 d. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEuropean Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has weighed in on the crisis in France, saying that any risk of a government falling in the euro zone is “worrying”.Speaking to broadcaster Radio Classique, Lagarde said France is not currently in a situation that would need the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to intervene. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house price drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNationwide also expects income growth to continues to outpace house price growth.That would mean that housing affordability should continue to improve, if gradually.Borrowing costs are likely to moderate a little further if Bank Rate is lowered again in the coming quarters.This should support buyer demand, especially since household balance sheets are strong and labour market conditions are expected to remain solid. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Should I fix my mortgage for 10 years to avoid interest rate shocks? DAVID HOLLINGWORTH replies

I've been paying a high mortgage rate for the last two years due to bad timing, and now I'm interested in fixing for a decade. What do I need to know?

Events

2 w. ago US home sales rose in July as mortgage rates eased a bit and home prices grew more slowly

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in July as homebuyers were encouraged by a modest pullback in mortgage rates, slowing home price growth and more properties on the market

Economics

2 w. ago Why the Oasis tour could increase your mortgage rate as inflation hits 3.8%

Households could see mortgage rates once again edge up again over the coming weeks thanks to a surprise uptick in inflation.

Economics

2 w. ago UK inflation shock: What the 3.8% rate means for interest rates, savings and mortgages

“Inflation is running hot and this is taking a blowtorch to the value of millions of Britons’ savings” – James Bentley

Economics

2 w. ago Inflation: UK rate rises to 3.8%, what is it, and what does it mean for mortgages, borrowing, and spending?

Households face pricier food, fuel and travel as experts warn the squeeze could drag into 2026 ✈️

Economics

2 w. ago Impact of new interest rate on household bills, mortgages and savings

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate increased to 3.8 per cent in July.

Economics

3 w. ago Boost for homeowners as average UK mortgage rate hits ‘turning point’

Mortgage rates hit a peak of 6.65 per cent following a disastrous mini-budget in 2022

Events

3 w. ago Mortgage rates remain a 'barrier' to  prospective buyers, Persimmon says

Persimmon has flagged ongoing 'affordability constraints' across the property market, as falling mortgage rates fail to lift demand significantly.

Economics

3 w. ago Rents on newly let homes ‘pause for breath after five years of relentless rises’

Rents on new lets have dipped for the first time since 2020, as falling mortgage rates ease pressures, Hamptons said.

Society

4 w. ago Bank of England rate: mortgage relief as Bank of England cuts rate to 4%

Homeowners could see welcome savings on repayments, but savers may need to act fast 📉

Economics

4 w. ago Thousands of Brits given £346 off mortgage repayments immediately

A cut in interest rates will mean the 590,000 people with a base-rate tracker mortgage will see borrowing costs fall from tomorrow, August 8. That could equate to £346 annually

Economics

4 w. ago What the Bank of England interest rate cut to 4% means for your mortgage and savings

We explain what the Bank of England's decision to cut rates means for your money - and whether rates will be cut again soon.

Economics

4 w. ago Voices: How the cut in interest rates might come back and bite us all

The flagging UK economy will get a badly needed boost from the Bank of England’s third rate cut of the year – but, says James Moore, given an unexpected jump in inflation, there could now be several unintended consequences

Politics