UK first-time buyers in best position to snap up property in a decade, data shows

Halifax says average price of house was a record £299,892 in November but that affordability is at its strongest since 2015

Christmas parcels: the best ways to send them in the UK – and the last posting dates

From picking Royal Mail or a courier firm to avoiding post office queues, here’s how to have a stress-free experience

Regulators to announce plans to bolster mutuals after Labour vows to double £223bn sector

Bank of England and FCA to join city minister in Rochdale amid plans to streamline regulation and expand expert support

Skipton in Yorkshire named happiest place to live in Great Britain

Access to nature and essential services and friendliness of the people led ‘gateway to the Dales’ to top Rightmove index

Households face higher energy bills as £28bn grid upgrade gets go-ahead

Plan to improve gas networks and rewire electricity systems across Great Britain likely to add £30 to average annual bill

Help to cut baby formula costs could save parents up to £500, Starmer says

Ministers accept watchdog’s recommendations on how to help people avoid spending more on formula than needed

Can you be on a six-figure income and still be considered poor?

A viral essay has caused outrage in the US with its argument that the poverty line for a family of four is now $136,500. But is this so wrong, asks Arwa Mahdawi

Use shop loyalty cards, invest, switch savings accounts: six ways to tackle inflation

Prices are rising on everything from energy to food – but there are ways to cushion the impact

UK house prices rise despite budget tax fears, says Nationwide

‘Mansion tax’ announced by Rachel Reeves will have limited impact on property market, building society says

‘The Chinese will not pause’: Volvo and Polestar bosses urge EU to stick to 2035 petrol car ban

Exclusive: Swedish carmakers push to retain target as Germany lobbies to help its own industry by softening cutoff date

Mall-going but budget-constrained: gen-z shoppers shape the future of retail

Malls are popular with zoomers, but they show less brand loyalty and are happy to settle for ‘dupes’ over the real thing

Virgin Media fined £23.8m for putting vulnerable customers at risk

Company failed to protect thousands of people switching from analogue to digital landline, Ofcom rules

From star jumps to job cuts: how Ovo Energy fell from grace

One-time wunderkind of UK energy market faces battle for new investment – but it continues to pay out millions to its founder’s company

Shopping for Christmas bargains? Beware the ‘spray and pay’ parcel delivery fraud

Criminals send thousands of texts about an undelivered bargain buy and ask for a redelivery fee in a bid to mine your data and bank details

Radical Reeves? The chancellor’s mansion tax is a small but brave step forward

The high-value council tax surcharge may only raise £400m but it’s the best opportunity for a bigger, fairer tax on wealth