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Rents are up £3,240 annually compared to three years ago with number of homes to let 'scarce'Renters are paying £270 more each month than they were three years ago, according to figures released by Zoopla.
Car makers 'withholding deliveries of new petrol and diesel models until January' to hit 2024 EV sales targetsRobert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, said dealers are being forced to delay customers from taking delivery of their new cars, which are being held in 'compounds'.
Heathrow set for busiest ever festive period with Christmas Day boomHeathrow Airport is expecting its busiest ever festive period this year, with Christmas Day passenger numbers more than 20% ahead of last year.
Bitcoin on steroids: Shares in $90bn MicroStrategy are up 650% - here's what you should know before investingEven the most cautious investor must have been living under a rock not to have noticed the boom in Bitcoin. But it is not just crypto itself that has been soaring.
Meet the Queens of the Deal: These multi-millionaire women soared to the top of corporate Britain while raising children - and here's how YOU can follow in their footstepsTakeover mania has the stock market in its grip with two multi-billion pound bids sealed last week alone. Nothing so unusual about that, you might think - except that both were led by women.
Best bank accounts: Top current accounts for interest and rewardsHow hard does your bank account work for you? Here's our pick of the best accounts to make your money work harder, cut down on fees, or get free stuff.
Chase delivers big boost to savings deal firing it up the best buy tableChase Bank has added a bonus rate of 1.25% to its popular easy-access saver, bringing the overall rate to 4.75%.
Moonpig sounds alarm over Royal Mail delays ahead of Christmas as it swings to a £33.3m lossMoonpig boss Nickyl Raithatha has said he is in talks with the delivery company about service levels as many areas of the country are 'struggling' with the reliability of deliveries.
Has your house made you a fortune? Experts reveal the 30 property hotspots where prices are soaring - and the places where you'll have lost money. And they're not where you'd expect!This year there has been a curious shift in buyers' behaviour which has seen the south coast take a battering on their usually robust property prices.
Half of Britons say they have had trouble paying with cash in the last yearAnalysis of figures from the Link network of ATMs shows a 22% increase from 2023 in locations that did not accept or discouraged the use of cash in 2024.
Last chance to switch bank account for a bonus payout before ChristmasSavvy Britons looking to nab free cash ahead of Christmas will need to act fast if they want to get a payout before 25 December.
British American Tobacco eyes 50m smokeless customersThe Rothmans and Lucky Strike owner continues to expect its turnover and adjusted profits from operations to expand by a 'low-single figure' percentage this year.
My neighbour's Christmas lights shine in my windows, can I make him turn them off? DEAN DUNHAM repliesMy neighbour across the street has plastered his house with Christmas lights and they shine and flash like Blackpool illuminations through my windows. Can I make him turn them off?
Trump unleashes animal spirits to turbocharge US: But UK firms face 'slow death' under LabourAs US stock markets near record highs, Sir Martin Sorrell said Trump (pictured) has turbocharged business morale on the other side of the Atlantic.
Motor finance scandal could cost as much as £50bn payment protection insurance debacleStephen Braviner Roman, legal director at the FCA, told MPs it would be 'premature' to say that the hit to lenders would not reach the same level as PPI.
Plummeting used electric vehicle prices have triggered a 'car leasing crisis'A 'mismatch between market forces for new and used EVs' is at the heart of the issue, as the popularity of new electric car leases is not being met by equally strong used EV demand.
Audioboom ups profit guidance for third time in two monthsAudioboom has upgraded profit guidance for the third time in less than two months, as the podcast platform's advertising sales continue to surpass expectations.
What will assisted dying law mean for inheritance planning? Lawyer JAMES WARD explainsFamilies will be part of the picture when a patient weighs end of life options. This is where financial considerations may kick in, says lawyer James Ward.
My wife and I are worried about losing our £250k house to fund care costs - can we sell 49% to the kids for £1?My wife and I are both 56 and in good health. Can we sell our kids 49% of the house to make sure they get something in the future?
Asda's woes continue as it becomes the only major supermarket to sees sales fall ahead of XmasResearch group Kantar said Asda sales in the 12 weeks to December 1 fell to £4.3bn - down 5.6% on the same period a year ago.
How do 0% credit cards work for purchases?Zero per cent purchase cards can come in handy at expensive times of the year - though it is important to understand the rules and make sure you can pay it back.
Number of drivers caught using mobile phones behind the wheel up a THIRD as AI camera rollout ramps upThe number of drivers being fined for using a handheld mobile phone has risen for the third year in a row.
We won the lottery at the lowest point in our lives but rarely splash out - and now want to DOWNSIZEAmanda and Graham Nield from Wakefield in Yorkshire are multi-millionaires who won a jackpot of £6.6m on the National Lottery in 2013.
Should I receive a refund despite collecting a dress in-store? Consumer rights lawyer DEAN DUNHAM repliesI bought a dress online for my office Christmas party and chose 'click and collect' to make sure I got it on time. I picked it up but when I tried the dress on at home I didn't like it.
Pound surges to highest level against the euro for more than two-and-a-half years as ECB eyes urgent rate cutsSterling's surge came as the ECB prepares to cut interest rates to prop up the struggling economy. The pound rose as high as €1.2136.
MARKET REPORT: Boots owner Walgreens soars on takeover talkNew York-listed Walgreens Boots Alliance surged 22% following a report that it was in talks to sell itself to buyout group Sycamore Partners.
This easy savings move could make you hundreds of pounds richer - but you need to act NOW: SYLVIA MORRISA strange pattern is emerging in the world of savings - and it is sure to benefit savvy savers. Rates on one type of account are staying put - or even rising.
My husband died before our dream holiday but Axa won't refund me the £3,800 deposit because he had a 'tickly throat': SALLY SORTS ITMy partner and I booked a special holiday to celebrate his planned retirement in August this year. Sadly, four months later my partner was diagnosed with throat cancer and died in June.
Energy bills will rise in January AND April next year, experts predict - and net zero targets are partially to blameThe average energy bill will rise from £1,717 a year now to £1,782 in April, according to experts at Cornwall Insight.
Backlash at new B plate stunt for drivers to warn they're terrible at one type of manoeuvreMotorists who acknowledge they struggle with the driving manoeuvre are being urged to order one to display on their vehicles.
Ten used electric cars that have tumbled in value most this year: One's worth TWO THIRDS less than it was 12 months agoSecond-hand electric cars are currently selling faster than petrols and diesels - and it's all because they're becoming far more affordable as a result of huge price deflation.
Paying for Christmas with cash this year? You're not alone! More shoppers spending with notes and coins to help budgetAfter a decade in decline, the use of cash increased for the second consecutive year in 2023, accounting for 19.9% of transactions, up from 18.8% in 2022, the BRC said.
Millions of households will use an air fryer to make Christmas dinner - does it help save on energy bills?One in three households will use an air fryer to make Christmas dinner this year, representing a 37% increase on a year ago, data suggests.
I lost £1,000 to Equistak investment scam - which falsely claimed Amanda Holden was a clientI saw a news article about the presenter Amanda Holden 'making money while she slept' via an investment with a firm called Equistak - but all was not as it seemed.
Storm Darragh blew my garden fence down but my neighbour is refusing to pay their share: What should I do?I have asked my nextdoor neighbour to split the repair job fifty-fifty, but he has flat out refused saying it isn't their responsibility to sort it out or pay for.
Best cash Isa rates 2024: Our pick of the five top dealsWe pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential reading to help you choose a top savings account for your money that can also protect you from tax.
Last of the petrol Jaguars: ROB HULL drives one of the final F-Type sports cars built before it goes electricMailOnline and This is Money Motoring Editor Rob Hull managed to get his hands on one of the last snarling V8 F-Types off the assembly line to get one last fix of unleaded Jaguar enjoyment.
We're cashing in our pensions to avoid inheritance tax: What's the best way to gift the money to our daughters?Could we give the pension withdrawals to our daughters as gifts from excess income and keep them outside inheritance tax? William Stevens of Killik & Co replies.
Five crypto experts predict where bitcoin will go in 2025 after it hit $100,000As Bitcoin hits a new record price of $100,000 the big question is: what happens now?
Two years ago, the cryptocurrency was worth less than $17,000.
CT UK HIGH INCOME: With portfolio of high-yielding UK shares, results are on the upUnder the command of a new manager this trust can deliver income against the backdrop of rising capital returns - something the it has struggled to achieve in recent years.
Our stock market expert reveals how you could reap riches by adding unloved car firms to your portfolioI would probably not be where I am today without the UK automobile industry. My father's business sold packing cases to Ford, used to export car parts to Africa.
The mistakes that could cost you your inheritance - and why we're seeing more ruinous family feudsWhen Lewis Mayo threw down the gauntlet to his sister Diane Mayo Jennings over their mother's estate, little did he know at what personal cost.
How wealthy do you feel - and would a £100k salary no longer make you rich? This is Money podcastHow much spare cash do you have to spend? A new index shows we typically have £836 in disposable income each month.
Want the best cash Isa? Ignore the banks and look here instead, says SIMON LAMBERTBest buy tables dominated by the traditional banks and building societies have been shaken up by a new breed of cash Isa provider.
DIGITAL is the investing acronym you need to know for 2025, says RICHARD HUNTER - here's what it stands for...Each December, Interactive Investor's Richard Hunter looks to the year ahead and outlines an acronym - and why the items on the list matter.
What should your boiler flow temperature be set at and can tinkering with it really save big money on energy bills?Most boilers have flow settings of between 70c and 80c when first installed. But this can be much hotter than required to perform tasks like heating up radiators.
How to get a best buy one-year savings fix with Hargreaves Lansdown as it launches a cashback offerSavings platform Active Savings is offering up to £150 cashback customers who open an account and deposit £10,000 - which could bump up their rate to a best buy.
We've been caught by the Child Benefit state pension trap - should we buy more years? STEVE WEBB repliesWe never claimed Child Benefit (as we understood it would be tapered away) and didn't realise the impact this would have on NI contributions.
JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Vernon Building Society is a small mutual with a big heartThe Stockport mutual is revamping its branches and still hands out passbooks... but outgoing boss Steve Fletcher has modernised in other ways.
Why will it cost me £3,000 to take just £9,000 tax-free from my pension?When my boiler broke, I thought my Sipp provider AJ Bell would send the cash to my current account within a couple of days. How wrong I was.
TONY HETHERINGTON: Beware Solomon Global's gold claims... and its 'guru' Clive LindsayA decade ago, I described head consultant Clive Lindsay as 'a living, breathing example of what is wrong with investor protection in Britain'.
Aer Lingus said my bag was too big to carry on... but I'd taken it on NINE other flights with the same airline this yearIn September I was asked to measure my carry-on suitcase when boarding at Southampton, then told it was too large and to pay a £35 charge.
How badly will Labour's inheritance tax raid hit family farms - and what can they do?Budget changes aimed to close a loophole for wealthy investors buying up farmland, yet it is farming families who will face the greatest impact of the new rules.
Major British cities want you to pay more to park a big car or SUV- are Paris-style charges on the way?A number of councils including Cardiff and Bristol are looking into new systems for parking charges that would charge large cars such as SUVs more.
Why the super-wealthy in Britain are getting richer slower than their US counterpartsIn Britain, the share of the top 1% in household wealth has inched up by only a single percentage point since 1980.
Death of the interest-only mortgage? They will make up just 2% of home loans by 2034The number of outstanding interest-only home loans has fallen by 70% over the past decade - but can they still be a useful financial tool?
New first-time buyer mortgage allows borrowing up to 5.5 times incomeFirst-time buyers might be able to borrow up to £66,000 more on average thanks to a new mortgage on offer with Leeds Building Society.
House prices reach new record high as average home worth £15k more than a year agoThe mortgage lender recorded the biggest monthly increase of the year in November with average prices rising 1.4%.
A major bank just cut its mortgage rates by up to 0.39%: Will they fall further?A major high street bank has announced it will cut mortgage rates by up to 0.39 percentage points.
How rich are YOUR neighbours? Disposable income levels in cities across Britain revealedResidents in Brighton have the highest amount of disposable income of people in any city in Britain, data seen by This is Money reveals.
What next for mortgage rates?Mortgage rates have been heading higher in recent weeks, with big lenders reversing some of the cuts made in prior months.
Best stocks & shares Isas: Pick the right investment accountChoosing the right investing platform is crucial but a wealth of choice can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best.
50 of the best funds and investment trusts: Our experts reveal their top ideasWe asked trusted experts to recommend the best funds that cover different investment sectors - and included This is Money's selection of active and passive options too.
Ten tips for buy-to-let: Essential advice for property investmentIf you are planning on investing, or just want to know more, we tell you
the 10 essential things to consider for a successful buy-to-let
investment
Ashtead's wake-up call: Equipment firm's decision to switch listing to New York is a big blow to the City, says ALEX BRUMMERAshtead, listed in London since 1986, has quietly achieved a handsome valuation of £24bn by establishing a record of expansion.
Price of a Christmas dinner set to increase more than inflation this year amid a cost-of-spuds crisisAs Christmas Day fast approaches, many Brits are beginning to stock up on Christmas dinner essentials. However, the average four-person price has risen 6.5 per cent according to a new survey.
Thames Water says it will run out of cash in March as it scrambles to avoid a taxpayer bailoutThe group is gearing up for a crunch week in its desperate bid to secure a £3bn rescue package from its creditors amid mounting losses and debts.
BUSINESS LIVE: Thames Water cash raise 'progressing'; Ashtead listing switch; Games Workshop film dealAmong the companies with reports and trading updates today are Thames Water, Ashtead, Games Workshop, Boohoo and Centrica.
FirstGroup to re-enter London bus market amid rail nationalisationFirstGroup is set to renter the London bus market with a 12 per cent share after agreeing a takeover worth £90million.
Moonpig shares nosedive as greetings card group swings to lossThe gifts and greeting cards seller revealed it made a £33.3million pre-tax loss in the six months ending October, compared to an £18.9million profit over the same period last year.
Games Workshop and Amazon agree 'creative guidelines' over Warhammer TV dealThe two companies struck a deal in principle in December 2022 to make films and TV series of Games Workshop's intellectual property.
Kill the Royal Mail deal: Don't sell our postal service on the cheap to buyers with weak credentials, says ALEX BRUMMERThere can be few more obvious cases for National Security & Investment Act to be invoked than the bid by Daniel Kretinsky (pictured) for Royal Mail-owner IDS.
Cadbury owner Mondelez eyes bid for rival chocolate maker Hershey'sIf Mondelez's move succeeds, it would create one of the world's largest confectioners and bring favourites such as Dairy Milk and Reese's Pieces together.
BP spins off its windfarm business into joint venture with Japanese rival as it moves back to fossil fuelsThe deal comes as the BP boss Murray Auchincloss (pictured) dials down the focus on renewable energy to move back towards its traditional focus on oil and gas.
Boost for GSK as new bone marrow cancer drug drastically cuts risk of death in patientsThe results will be welcomed by boss Emma Walmsley (pictured), who has been trying to improve the pipeline of new drugs and vaccines.
Jobs at risk in US advertising mega-merger: Omnicom and Interpublic to join forces in £10bn dealOmnicom, led by CEO John Wren (left) and Interpublic, led by CEO Maurice Levy (right),are the world's second and fourth largest ad agencies.
Rothschild is making waves once again: Former playboy gets tough in takeover tussleThe fifth baron Rothschild, better known in the City as Nat Rothschild, is to some an aristo playboy with a racy business past, and an even more colourful love life.
Nvidia sees value drop £80bn as Chinese regulators probe claims it broke anti-monopoly lawsNvidia's stock dropped 3% after China's state media reported the country's competition watchdog has opened an investigation into whether it broke anti-monopoly laws
Boost for City after Canal+ given green light to list in London: Shares in French film studio to start trading before ChristmasShareholder in Vivendi, which produced the Paddington films, voted in favour of the spinoff of Canal Plus and other parts of the business.
MARKET REPORT: Miners rally as China vows to boost economyRio Tinto rose 3.8%, Anglo American advanced 2.7%, Glencore gained 4.5% and Antofagasta rose 4.9% on hopes of higher Chinese demand for raw materials.
Co-founder of UK engineering giant Renishaw Sir David McMurtry dies at 84Sir David (pictured) set up Renishaw in 1973. He retired as executive chairman in June this year but stayed on the board as a non-executive director.
SMALL CAP IDEA: Scancell is becoming a key player in cancer immunotherapyFor many smaller innovators, bringing a promising molecule from the lab through clinical trials and onto the market is a daunting challenge requiring significant time and financial resources.
Vacancies shrink at fastest pace since pandemic peak as Autumn Budget lifts hiring costsKPMG and the REC, a trade body for recruiters, said its index of demand for employees shrank from 46.1 in October to 43.9 last month, the worst reading since August 2020.
High street bank cuts mortgage rates - but the market average is creeping upWhile the cheapest mortgage rates are edging down, the average rate across the whole of the market has been increasing.
My nieces and nephews want money for Christmas - is it fair to give them different amounts, and how can I stop it costing me a fortune? Money psychotherapist VICKY REYNAL repliesI have ten nieces and nephews who I adore, and I buy birthday and Christmas presents for them all. But as they get older they prefer money instead, which can be quite awkward.
Used electric cars are selling FASTER than petrol and diesel models - for one very good reasonIn the month of November, second-hand dealers were, on average, selling a used EV in just 33 days. This compares to a 40 days across all fuel types.
Boohoo shareholders advised to vote against appointing Mike Ashley to boardISS is calling on the Karen Millen owner's investors to vote against resolutions at the general meeting on 20 December that would make Mike Ashley Boohoo's CEO and Mike Lennon a board member.
Global banks rethink leaving London amid chaos in France and GermanyLenders have been shifting operations to cities including Paris and Frankfurt since the UK left the EU. But some are now pausing any non-essential moves.
Centrica's Rough gas store in North Sea to be dismantledA segment of Centrica's Rough platform will start to be dismantled nearly four decades after it was first opened in 1985.
RUTH SUNDERLAND: Labour must listen to businessLabour needs to ditch the naïve socialist belief that the only part of the economy that matters is the public sector and start listening to the wealth creators.
Water firms pleading with regulators to let them increase billsThe sector has estimated that all the water companies in England and Wales will pay a total of £400m extra over five years.
Donald Trump says Fed chair Jerome Powell's job is safeWhen asked by US reporters if he would make a change in January, he said: 'No, I don't think so,' despite having previously argued with Powell over interest rate levels.
Mike Ashley launches fresh attack against Boohoo's managementAshley, who wants Boohoo shareholders to give him a seat on the board, blasted its bosses in an open letter.
St James's Place scraps glitzy staff gatherings in bid to repair its imageThe UK's largest wealth manager has abandoned its annual company meetings in London, with the coming gathering in January to be held virtually.
HAMISH MCRAE: Bitcoin topping $100k is a warning markets have become frothyBehind bitcoin's surge is the strong performance of financial assets more generally - but there is a fine line between a boom and a bubble.
Aviva boss Amanda Blanc seeks more takeover targets after Direct Line dealBlanc is eyeing up potential expansion areas in Aviva's business, such as its protection and health arm, according to a source close to the matter.
Private equity cashes in on foster care: Three buyout firms make £40m profit from plight of vulnerable childrenIt comes as many foster carers are dropping out, saying that the sums they receive for looking after children are inadequate.
Cake shop owners lash out at Chancellor's right-hand man over tax and minimum wage hikesJames Murray visited the Robineau Cafe in Darlington where he tried to justify Labour's tax increases - but was met with a bitter backlash.
National Lottery hunts lost ticket holders who are owed MILLIONS - and time's running out to claimOne lottery player is owed £10,000 a month for 30 years - but hasn't got in touch to request the funds.
Author ERICA JAMES on her rise from chalet maid to bestselling romance novelistThe author on humble beginnings, her first book contract... and being mistaken for Fifty Shades of Grey author E L James.
MARKET REPORT: Quiz's future looks 'shaky' amid festive sales slumpShares plunged 43.2 per cent, or 2.3p, to 3.04p after it said both online and in-store traffic suffered a 'marked decline' during the important trading month of November.
How you can cash in on DEAL MANIA nowSo attractive are the valuations of UK shares at present that some analysts argue that 'everything is for sale'.
Winter recession fears for GermanyOfficial figures showed that industrial production unexpectedly fell 1 per cent compared to the previous month.
Second Gatwick runway 'vital' for UK growthIn a letter seen by us, more than 50 business groups urged Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to support plans to use the northern runway full time.
ALEX BRUMMER: Miliband is missing the nuclear buttonThere are real questions as to how hard Miliband is driving the atomic power agenda.
Thames Water bid could see struggling firm split upBritain's biggest water supplier is scrambling for a multi-billion-pound emergency cash injection to avoid a taxpayer bailout.
US unemployment rise paves way for Fed rate cutThe increase from 4.1 per cent gives the country's central bank leeway to cut, even though overall job numbers were better than expected.
What happened behind the curtains at Jaguar's relaunch: RAY MASSEY on the controversy over a carHaving covered this week's Jaguar controversy, let me take you for a secret peek behind the company's car-launch curtain to reveal what really went on.
Speeding tickets soar to record high with 7,400 dished out every single day - as drivers treated like 'cash cows'Official data showed 2,715,000 fixed penalty notices were issued for speeding in 2023 - the equivalent of more than 7,400 every day and up nearly nine per cent on 2022 levels.
Bitcoin tipped to rocket to $120,000 early next year after Trump chooses pro-crypto chairman of the US financial regulatorBitcoin broke through the $100,000 barrier after Trump announced he will appoint pro-Crypto Paul Atkins (pictured), as chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission.
SMALL CAP MOVERS: Quiz becomes the latest victim of retail sector woesQuiz fell victim to the retail sector's wider woes in November as a "marked drop" in footfall weighed on sales and prompted a warning that fresh funding may be needed ahead.
Bosses 'immediately reacted' to Autumn Budget with job cuts, data suggestsRachel Reeves's £25billion National Insurance raid on employers has been criticised by some businesses, which will pay 1.2% more per employee from April.
I'm a trainee solicitor who almost fell for gift card ruse when a scammer impersonated my boss on emailAlex, who didn't want to give his real name, almost fell victim to a scammer posing as his boss one that could have seen him lose hundreds of pounds.
Aviva set to buy Direct Line as insurance giant prepares sweetened £3.6bn dealDirect Line is set to back a sweetened £3.6billion takeover by Aviva after the insurance giant's first offer was rejected.
MARKET REPORT: Future soars as results make for good readingThe firm also expressed confidence in meeting current market expectations for 2025, even though full-year 2024 profit slumped by 25%.
Marks & Spencer plan to knock down flagship Oxford Street store approvedDeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has approved the proposals for the central London shop after a three-year planning row.
The Pope's new wheels! His Holiness is gifted a 'G-Wagon popemobile' made especially for him - and it's all-electricPope Francis has a new set of wheels to roll around the Vatican - and it's an electric G-Wagon made specifically for His Holiness.
Should you buy into the Alliance Witan mega investment trust? The INVESTMENT ANALYST verdictThomas McMahon, of Kepler Partners, looks at the newly merged Alliance Witan mega investment trust and whether it is a global fund that's worth backing.
Huge number of motorists driving illegally due to poor eyesight - when was the last time you had an eye test?We can reveal a staggering one million people are estimated to be driving illegally because their eyesight is below the UK legal minimum requirement.
Could the state pension end up being means-tested before I get it?I know these are only rumours, but it concerns me that it could happen before I reach retirement age, especially after the winter fuel payment removal and inheritance tax changes.
Is it cheaper to use an electric blanket or put on my central heating?Whichever way you slice it, an electric throw clearly costs a tiny fraction of the cost of turning your central heating on.
Only 3% of electric vehicle owners would go back to a fossil fuel carZap-Map surveyed 3,746 EV owners for its annual survey to gauge insights into behaviours, attitudes and satisfaction of EV drivers. We reveal the results.
Women of a certain age? They're a major force: Gregg Wallace's jibe shows grave ignorance, says ALEX BRUMMERChancellor Rachel Reeves and ECB boss Christine Lagarde (pictured) are part of an impressive cohort that makes a growing contribution to our affluence.
Half of bosses 'to cut jobs and raise prices' after Labour's £25bn National Insurance raid on employersFrasers Group is the latest to condemn Rachel Reeves' £40bn of tax hikes amid fears her plans will stifle growth and threaten jobs.
Aviva lifts offer for rival insurer Direct Line to £3.4bn - 4.4% higher than its original rejected bidDeliberations over the fresh offer are ongoing and there is no certainty that Direct Line's bosses would accept the new bid, Bloomberg reported.
Vodafone's £16.5bn mega-merger with Three gets the green light from the competition regulatorThe CMA cleared the way for the £16.5bn tie-up on condition both companies invest billions in the UK's 5G mobile network as well as cap prices on low-cost mobile plans.
A firm ringing the changes: Vodafone has changed the narrative for UK and global takeovers, says ALEX BRUMMERVodafone has overcome historical analysis, among competition authorities, that more wireless competitors in a marketplace must be better for consumers.
Three and Vodafone merger will form UK's largest mobile network: What does it mean for you?The merger would see 27 million customers brought together under one roof - but will the service customers receive get better and will it affect their bills?
Card Factory enters US market with $25m Garven takeoverThe US gifts and celebration essentials market is the biggest of its kind globally, according to Card Factory, with an estimated value of around $70billion.
BUSINESS LIVE: Bitcoin hits $100,000; Vodafone-Three gets green light; Frasers takes Budget hitAmong the companies with reports and trading updates today are Vodafone, Frasers, AJ Bell, Warpaint London and Watches of Switzerland.
Britons stash £2trn in bank accounts - but returns only a third of what they would gain from investingBritons have been hoarding cash in bank accounts in 2024, lured by higher interest rates and relative safety in a year characterised by political uncertainty.
Frasers Group blames Budget for lower profit guidanceMike Ashley's retail empire now anticipates its adjusted pre-tax profits will total £550million to £600million this financial year, having previously forecast they would be £575million to £625million.
CMC Invest launches a flexible Isa - here's how it compares to rivals as it becomes the latest platform to offer tax-free accountThe cash Isa best buy battle has been hotting up for some time - but it has not been driven by the banks or building societies.
Electric vehicles made up a QUARTER of new car sales in November but still fall short of Government targets despite £4bn worth of discountingEV sales rose for the eleventh consecutive month in November and accounted for 25.1% of all sales. However, industry bosses say the market is being propped up by 'unsustainable' price cuts.
How to make a fortune from the Christmas Party: A top City boss reveals the hidden tricks to give your career a boost - and the behaviour she'd NEVER tolerateOf all the aspects of my job that fill me with dread, there is one horror like no other. Yes, I am talking about the Office Christmas Party (OCP). It is exquisite torture.
Housebuilding in decline again as high borrowing costs hit demandRobust demand for commercial and civil engineering projects offset the contraction in residential house-building, the PMI data revealed.
Watchdog approves £15bn Vodafone-Three UK deal despite higher bills fearsBritain's competition regulator has approved the £15billion merger of Three UK and Vodafone, clearing the way for the creation of the country's biggest mobile operator.
Hundreds of thousands of drivers could be invalidating insurance by having this common feature fitted to their car...One motorist has been left with a six-figure bill when his insurer refused to pay out on a claim and cancelled his policy because it had not been listed as a 'modification'.
We pick the five most extraordinary cars in Bernie Ecclestone's £300m collection listed for saleF1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone's car collection - 'the most important race car collection in the world' - is up for sale. But which cars are the crown jewels? Here are our picks.
How much will stamp duty cost first-time buyers from April - and can they still buy a home before it kicks in?In a few months' time, a first-time buyer could go from paying no stamp duty on a £425,000 home to £6,205. Can they still get in under the wire?
I paid Opodo for refundable flights, so where's my refund - and have I paid for a 'membership'? CRANE ON THE CASEThe trip had to be cancelled days before departure because my wife was unwell, and we should have got a £459 refund - but but the online travel agent fobs me off with excuses.
Police investigating reports that Boohoo bosses were stalked amid claims of 'corporate espionage'Greater Manchester and Kent police are investigating reports of stalking offences, including incidents 'involving serious alarm/distress'.
Gold miner backed by property tycoon Nick Candy snaps up rival in £90m dealMetals Exploration, in which Candy (pictured with wife Holly Valance) owns a 38% stake, swooped on Condor Gold with a bid offering £67.5m up front in cash and shares.
Boost for FTSE as investors pile into UK shares: But £317m inflow may be temporary reprieveFigures from funds network Calastone provided a rare positive for London-listed shares as the market enjoyed inflows for the first time since May 2021.
Korean crisis in abeyance - now let's hope Trump goes easy with the tariffs, says ALEX BRUMMERSince the Korean war ended in 1953 South Korea has advanced from an underdeveloped nation to an emerging market and a member of the OECD.
MARKET REPORT: Protein drink company bulks up on fresh ratingApplied Nutrition, founded by Liverpool scaffolder Thomas Ryder (pictured), has been losing weight as it drifted lower following its market debut in October.
Tesla reveals free 2024 holiday update to get drivers in the mood for Christmas - is it worth downloading?Tesla has announced a host of over-the-air software updates to inject a bit of festive fun into the run up to Christmas - including a new Apple Watch app.
Bank of England governor expects FOUR interest rate cuts next year: What would it mean for mortgage and savings rates?The governor of the Bank of England has said there are likely to be four interest rate cuts next year as inflation falls away.
Analysts 'unimpressed' as Learning Technologies agrees £802m takeoverAIM-listed Learning Technologies has finally agreed to a £802million takeover by a US private equity firm after a long-running pursuit.
London-listed WPP to lose global advertising crown to French rivalIt will be the first time a French holding company has been the number one ad business and comes two years before Publicis celebrates its 100th anniversary.
