Estate agent says one‑fifth of London house sales fell through amid Budget tax rumours
Move of Autumn Budget to Nov. 26 extends period of speculation, prompting buyers to delay or withdraw offers, firm says
Business & Markets News
Most Britons Back Banning Tipping After London Pub Adds 4% ‘Optional’ Charge
Survey and card-payment data show consumer unease with automatic tips as average card tips rise year-on-year but fall compared with 2022
How common mistakes are imperilling millions of pensions — and the steps savers should take now
Pension experts warn that predictable errors — from poor timing and high fees to inadequate withdrawal plans — can erode retirement income; five investor “types” show where the pitfalls lie
Barclays app outage leaves customers unable to make payments or withdraw cash
More than 600 reports on Down Detector as users report card, contactless and transfer failures after an IT disruption first logged Saturday morning
Expansion of England’s 30‑hour free childcare may push up nursery fees, report finds
University of Bath research warns funding shortfalls and staffing shortages could leave parents without spaces or facing higher charges as free provision extends to children from nine months
Retail chiefs urge Chancellor to cut business rates, warn reforms could hurt High Street
Around ten leading store bosses met Rachel Reeves at Number 11 to press for changes to property tax proposals they say will hit anchor shops and risk closures
Link deputy chief warns cash still matters as digital payments eclipse wallets
More than half of people say they now leave their physical wallet at home, but Link cautions that cash remains an important backstop amid technology failures
HGV traffic rose at Dartford Crossing after 40% Dart Charge hike, data shows
Ministers said the rise in charges was intended to cut congestion, but first-day figures show more lorries, unchanged overall traffic and longer crossing times, drawing criticism from motoring groups.
Millions of UK pensioners may not receive full triple-lock increase next April
Consultancy calculations show headline state pension would rise under the triple lock, but many retirees’ payments include elements that will not be uprated at the same rate