Business

Need to know: Nationwide reports 9% surge in customer gambling spendingNationwide Building Society has reported a 9% surge in customer gambling spending in January compared to the same month last year, with transactions rising 7%.The building society's data reveals the top 10% of gambling spenders part with an average of £745 monthly.A survey of 2,000 gamblers found two-thirds expect to bet more in 2026 due to major sporting events. However, 19% remain unaware that banks offer gambling blocks on accounts.Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability for Nationwide, said: "With a year of major sporting events ahead, we're concerned that more people could find themselves gambling more than they can afford."Nationwide has built in a 72-hour cooling-off period for its gambling block feat...

The Government recently said there would be no compensation for the WASPI women (Image: Getty)A retirement expert has said there are some key lessons that everyone should take from the WASPI controversy (Women Against State Pension Inequality). The debate has lasted for over a decade over the DWP's communication of changes to the state pension age, when it rose for women from 60 to 65 and then 66.The campaigners say this generation of 1950s-born women not properly informed of the change, with many having to suddenly change their retirement plans when they found out. Despite the Government's own Ombudsman saying there was 'maladministration' and there should be payouts, Labour announced in December 2025 there would bo no DWP compensation.In announcing the decision, Work and Pensions Secr...

Mr Beauchamp also warned of uncertainty as Trump's attacks on Iran could continue for the next month, potentially sending oil prices skyrocketing.He said: "While we have seen a significant surge in oil prices since markets opened last night, the gains appear contained for now as we wait to see if shipping through Hormuz can continue at lower levels or will be blocked entirely."Oil and gas infrastructure in the region has not yet been extensively targeted, keeping oil well south of the $100 barrel range that many expected as a result of the weekend. It is a similar story in stock markets. There have been losses, but investors have had one eye on the possibility of war for weeks."But with Trump saying the campaign could run for four weeks, there is plenty of scope for more downside should...

L’antiquaire Jean-Marie Rossi chez lui, à Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), en juin 2010. ERIC JANSEN Sotheby’s disperse les 10 et 11 mars une partie de la collection de Jean-Marie Rossi, célèbre antiquaire parisien décédé en 2021, soit quelque 399 lots estimés entre 6 et 9 millions d’euros. Dans les années 1970-1980, au moment où le marché du mobilier du XVIIIe siècle battait son plein, il avait pour clients les grandes fortunes John Paul Getty, Agnelli, Gunter Sachs ou Hubert de Givenchy. Lire plus tard Ténor de sa profession, il ne rentrait pas pour autant dans le moule. « Il faisait acheter du mobilier du XVIIIe siècle le jour, et le soir il découvrait l’art contemporain », raconte ...

Electric car drivers have been warned about a new fee coming in April (stock) (Image: Getty)This year Britain’s motorists are being hit with several new rules and changes, most of which may have an impact on them financially. Among these changes is a change to the expensive car supplement that now rises to £50,000 for electric cars from April this year.Confirmed in the 2025 Budget this change will result in an increase in the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) threshold for electric cars. This threshold will rise from £40,000 to £50,000 and could have a major impact on motorists.Speaking to Reach about the changes to the expensive car supplement, Go Compare Motoring Expert Steve Ramsey warned drivers to be wary of the financial consequences of the change. READ MORE...

Le justiciable qui n’a pas les moyens de payer un avocat pour assurer sa défense peut demander l’aide juridictionnelle. Dans l’attente de la réponse, puis, si celle-ci est positive, de la désignation d’un conseil, la procédure qui le vise est suspendue, même si elle concerne une saisie immobilière (décret n° 2020-1717, article 51, II). Le justiciable qui incite les avocats désignés à rendre leur tablier cherche-t-il à repousser la saisie ? Cette question, le bâtonnier de Blois se l’est posée, à l’occasion de l’affaire suivante. En 2018, M. X, destinataire d’un commandement de payer, est admis à l’aide juridictionnelle. Mais l’un des avocats censés l’assister se déclare incompétent pour préparer une audience d’orientation (en vue d’une vente amiable ...

President Donald Trump addresses the American people following strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran. Oil prices surged late Sunday as fears mounted that the escalating Iran conflict could drag on for weeks, rattling global energy markets. Global benchmark Brent crude briefly jumped to $82.37 a barrel — its highest level since January 2025 — in the first wave of trading following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters.By 7:54 p.m. ET, Brent had pulled back slightly but was still up more than 7% at $78.24 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also surged nearly 7%, climbing to $71.68 after briefly hitting $75.33 — its highest since June of last year. OIL MARKETS ON EDGE AS IRAN MOVES TO RESTRICT VITAL STRAIT OF HORMUZ S...

WHOOP CEO Will Ahmed on partnering with U.S. Army, top athletes After online speculation suggested a top Trump administration official breached U.S. security protocols, the founder and CEO of Whoop stepped in to identify the wearable device at the center of the controversy. A widely circulated meeting photo of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles prompted social media users to speculate that a smartwatch, typically restricted in sensitive environments due to recording and connectivity capabilities, was visible on her wrist. Critics quickly raised concerns about potential cybersecurity implications.TOMAHAWKS SPEARHEADED US STRIKE ON IRAN — WHY PRESIDENTS REACH FOR THIS MISSILE FIRST President Donald Trump speaks to Susie Wiles during Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Bea...

Rachel Reeves has chosen to break Labour's key election promise, says Alex Evans (Image: Getty)“Labour will not increase taxes on working people.” That was the key promise by which Labour was handed a mandate by the British people.Since then, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has fudged along the edges of that pledge, increasing employer National Insurance and arguing about the definitions of working people.But one policy, announced in the Budget in November and set to apply to the new tax year starting in April, is the most clear and obvious violation of that promise to date: the freeze on the tax-free Personal Allowance.This is the amount of money working people can earn before they have to begin surrendering some of their earnings to HM Revenue and Customs in the form of Income Tax. READ MORE...

HMRC is bringing in a new tax on pensions (Image: Getty)A major tax change on pensions being brought in by HMRC risks catching many people off guard. A wealth planner has warned many people could become liable for the levy without knowing it.Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her first Autumn Budget a series of major changes to expand inheritance tax, which is levied at a standard rate of 40 per cent. Some of these changes will come in from April 2026, when the exemptions for paying the tax on agricultural property and business assets will be restricted.The Government also announced it will expand the remit of the tax to include most unused pension funds and death benefits, which are currently not liable for the levy. This change will come in from April 2027. Chartered financial plan...