Author: News Desk

Bank says there has been some slowdown in customers trying to get new mortgages in recent weeks Pre-tax profits at NatWest Group remained flat between July and September at £1.1bn, amid a worsening economic outlook and a cost of living squeeze on its customers, as the bank predicted UK house prices would fall by 7% next year. Its profits, boosted by higher interest rates increasing its margin between what it charged for loans and paid out to savers, were slightly higher than the £1bn made in the same period a year earlier but lower than analysts’ forecasts. Continue reading… ​Bank…

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Environment secretary defends Rishi Sunak’s decision not to go to conference in Sharm el-Sheikh • UK politics live – latest news updates King Charles is free to decide whether or not he should attend the Cop27 climate summit, the new environment secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has said as she defended the decision of the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, not to go. Sunak, the third British prime minister in seven weeks, has come under scrutiny from opposition ministers and environmental groups who called the decision not to attend Cop27 a “failure” and brings government commitments to prioritise net zero and tackling the…

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Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Friday’s front pages feature a variety of stories – including the latest from UK politics, royal news and the upcoming world cup.  Tax increases and spending cuts The FT leads with the government’s consideration of £50bn worth of tax increases and spending cuts “to fill a gaping hole in the public finances.” The paper says ministers hope the measures won’t have to be implemented in full. Sources describe the economic outlook as “bleak” after they were given “weak” forecasts by the Office of Budget Responsibility. The Daily Telegraph says an expansion of the windfall…

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