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National News

London rent prices surge by 20 but house sales losing steam

That's according to estate agents, Foxtons London-focused estate agency Foxtons has cashed in on soaring rental prices, but cautioned over a more challenging year ahead as higher interest rates are set to rein in housing sales. Foxtons revealed it started the year with fewer homes under offer than the previous year, due to volatility in the housing market caused by Liz Truss’s autumn mini-budget. Because it takes four months to complete a house sale on average, the effects of reducedRead More

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National News

UK gender pay gap widens as childcare costs worsen motherhood penalty

That's according to the accountancy giant PwC in its Women in Work index The UK’s gender pay gap has widened as sharp increases in the cost of childcare has worsened a “motherhood penalty”, pricing many women out of work altogether, according to a new report. The nation’s average pay gap widened by 2.4 percentage points to 14.4% in 2021, accountancy giant PwC found in its Women in Work index. It means that the gap between what the average man andRead More

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National News

Greggs to roll out 150 new stores a year and trial 24 hour drive thru

The chain already has nearly 2,330 shops Greggs has revealed big expansion plans after reporting record high sales, as consumers flocked to the bakery chain for low-cost meals amid a cost-of-living squeeze. The group has been extending its opening hours and is set to trial a new 24-hour drive-thru. The chain, which already has nearly 2,330 shops, said there is a “clear opportunity” to have significantly more than 3,000 shops across the UK over time. Roisin Currie, Greggs’ chief executive,Read More

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National News

Learners in England can use loan to help train and upskill throughout working lives

It will be the equivalent of four years of post-18 education People in England will be able to access a loan worth the equivalent of four years of post-18 education to help them study, train and retrain at any point during their working lives, the Government has confirmed. The lifelong loan entitlement (LLE) will be able to be used to pay for full or part-time study for a variety of courses – from degrees to higher technical qualifications, the DepartmentRead More

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National News

Average UK house price down by 8500 from August 2022 peak

That's according to the Halifax Annual house price growth stood at 2.1% in February for the third month in a row, according to an index. Across the UK, property values increased by 1.1% month on month in February, accelerating from 0.2% growth in January, Halifax said. The average UK house price in February was £285,476. Average house prices in London have fallen by 0.9% over the past year – possibly affected by the capital’s large proportion of flats, Halifax said.Read More

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National News

Labour sets out plan for tax review to provide businesses with stability

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver a speech to manufacturing sector leader on Tuesday A future Labour government would commit to a review of business taxes and move away from an “11th hour approach” which the party says is holding back investment. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, in a speech to manufacturing sector leaders on Tuesday, is due to commit to a review of corporate taxes in a bid to create a stable investment environment. Setting out Labour’s approach if itRead More

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National News

Bill which authorises 900 cost of living payment to millions clears Commons

It will be paid in three instalments to about eight million households on means-tested benefits A Bill which will hand millions of people £900 in cost-of-living payments has cleared the House of Commons. The Social Security (Additional Payments) (No.2) Bill received an unopposed third reading and it will now undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords. It provides for a £900 cost-of-living payment to be paid in three instalments to about eight million households on means-tested benefits and £150Read More

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National News

Helen Mirren joins co stars at in Shazam sequel photocall

The film is in cinemas on the 17th of March Dame Helen Mirren looked powerful as she attended a photocall for her upcoming superhero film in which she stars as the villain. The 77-year-old Oscar-winner – who plays Hespera, daughter of Atlas, in Shazam! Fury Of The Gods – donned a long bronze-toned coat paired with black leather gloves and her striking light blonde locks for the event in central London. She was joined by co-star Zachary Levi, who starredRead More

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National News

PSG and Brazil forward Neymar out for rest of season

He suffered the ankle ligament injury last month Neymar is to undergo ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season. The 31-year-old Paris St Germain and Brazil forward suffered the injury last month. A statement from the Ligue 1 club read: “Neymar Jr has had several episodes of right ankle instability in recent years. “Following his last sprain contracted on February 20, the medical staff of Paris St Germain recommended a ligament repair operation, in order to avoidRead More

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