It’s payback time: inside the 2 January Guardian Weekly

Europe’s big, expensive state pensions crisis. Plus: The British culture boom

From energy prices to interest rates: the dates that could affect your finances in 2026

Energy price cap goes up on 1 January and Bank of England will make three interest rate decisions by end of April

FTSE index closes up 21.5% on New Year’s Eve at end of strong year for global equity markets

Predicted 8% cut to upper limit for Great Britain could reduce bills to lowest level in 15 months

Rent rises likely to slow after rapid increases in recent years, lenders and estate agents forecast

Average property price in city rose by 12.6%, while Stafford and Wigan also had double-digit growth

Combination of concern about economy and household cost pressures will continue to limit spending, report suggests

Paint and sofas sell well as Britons are priced out of moving home or undertaking pricey renovations

In towns such as Northampton, in-person help with finances is a promise many customers still depend upon

You really want me to review my buy? Yes, it was fine. But that is where I would like our relationship to end, says comedian Athena Kugblenu

Consumer group Which? finds one in five people are unsure what to do with dud gifts after the festive period

Smallest number of new chargers since 2022 as carmakers persuade government to weaken EV sales targets

Exclusive: Reform leader promotes Direct Bullion – but experts say commodity is not for everyday investors

Other lives: Banker who began work at 16 and became a director of Harrods Bank in the 1980s

Demand for CD players rises 74% this year amid deluxe releases from artists such as Taylor Swift and Pink Floyd