‘It can be incredibly profitable’: the secret world of fake online reviews

As groups offering fake Amazon, Google and Trustpilot reviews continue to thrive on Facebook, one reviewer tells how it works

The life-changing things people bought for £1: ‘Some find the idea of getting a castle ridiculous’

From a racehorse to a steamboat and a house in Sicily, it’s surprising what you can buy for £1. People who bagged the bargain of a lifetime talk about what happened next

Marathon mortgages of up to 40 years on rise among UK first-time buyers

More opt for longer loan deals and lower monthly payments as rents soar in cost of living crisis

UK forecourt owners accused of charging more for diesel than necessary

Campaigners claim lower wholesale prices not being passed on, adding to soaring inflation as many businesses rely on diesel

Stately home ‘used for James Bond scenes’ goes on sale for £75m

Denham Place in Buckinghamshire being sold by multimillionaire Mike Jatania

Regulator warns UK banks over miserly savings rates for loyal customers

FCA says it will consider ‘onerous interventions’ if it concludes ‘loyalty penalty harms’ not being addressed

Woodford fund compensation for investors likely to total 77p in the pound

Takeover of frozen fund’s administrator and FCA ruling could filter extra £235m to 300,000 investors

Clerical Medical is consistently and dependably … dire

Online reviews highlight indefinite waiting times for calls to be answered and policies paid

Ryanair proves clueless about terms of its own Flexi Plus flight offer

It’s a high-priced peace-of-mind service … which offered one customer anything but

Wednesday briefing: What Ofgem’s prepayment meter restrictions really mean

In today’s newsletter: The ban on energy firms forcibly installing meters in some homes has been called ‘woefully insufficient’ – here’s what it all means in practice

Telecoms firms accused of overcharging landline-only customers by £200m

Exclusive: Economists say ‘market power’ of TalkTalk, Virgin Media and SSE may allow them to set ‘excessive prices’

UK unemployment rises as pay growth lags behind high inflation

Softer conditions in jobs market means unemployment rate unexpectedly edges higher to 3.8%

New prepayment meter rules must be properly enforced, says Grant Shapps

Suppliers in Great Britain have agreed code banning them from installations in homes of over-85s

Cost of British food basics increases by up to 80% in a year

Cheddar and budget sausages sold by Asda were highest risers, with supermarkets’ prices for oats and skimmed milk also soaring

Energy firms to ban forced prepay meter installations in homes of over-85s

Exclusive: Suppliers in Great Britain will also make workers wear body cams as part of new code of conduct