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Huge increase in home buyers being gifted £100k or more for deposits as families look to

NEW Britain is in the midst of an unprecedented wealth transfer from baby boomers to younger generations - and house deposits are increasingly the vehicle of choice. In the first three months of 2025, approximately 30,788 gifted house deposits of £100,000 or more were recorded, according to data from Twenty7tec. It says of all the buyers helped with gifted deposits last year, 29 per cent of them were given £100,000 of more.

NEW Regular savings accounts can be a great starter home to build up a savings pot and get into the habit of tucking money away.

Cold War bunker on the edge of Sandringham could be yours... for just £20,000

NEW A Cold War-era former observation bunker on the edge of the royal estate at Sandringham in Norfolk is going up for auction on 8 May with a guide price of £20,000. The Dersingham Royal Observer Corps post was once part of a large network of observation posts up and down the country which were constructed as part of an early warning system to detect impending nuclear attacks and calculate their impact. The Dersingham post is buried in the land on the north-east side of Chalk Pit Road and has been well-preserved.

When it's time to stop work and enjoy retirement, you need to make the most of the money you have saved. We explain what you need to know.

Plenty of eligible higher and additional rate taxpayers fail to claim the pension tax relief they are due. Here's our guide to getting a refund...

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MARKETWATCH: FTSE 100 enjoys tenth day of gains

At the end of a steady session in London, the blue-chip index closed up 0.1 per cent, or 7.81 points, to 8415.25 as it extended its longest winning streak since 2019. The ten days of gains have seen it rise almost 10 per cent and leave it up 3 per cent this year, though it is still down 5 per cent since its peak in early March. The FTSE 250 rose 0.5 per cent, or 105.32 points, to 19,609.69. M&S suspended online shopping following the cyber-attack.

But a fresh light has now been shone on the oversized risks of under-regulated hedge funds in managing financial stability.

King criticised Rachel Reeves's 'flawed' fiscal rules, which allow debt to keep rising as a share of GDP for the time being with the aim that it will start coming down after a few years.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said attention for UK car makers will now focus on how they will adjust to Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported into the USA.

The bank is looking to save money on leasing venues, providing refreshments and hiring security. It is also looking to deter the likes of Extinction Rebellion.

The sharp decline - accelerated by a warning of lower profits - means shares have cratered 84 per cent since early 2020.

Should you ditch your US investments? Experts reveal the VERY surprising answer - and

Should you Sell America? And if so, where might be better places to put your money? Might there even be some opportunities to snap up US shares at a bargain price? Here's what you need to know now.

I have two years until I turn 40 - and my attention has turned to creating a bucket list, which includes a financial category.

I'd invest in ITV over Netflix: Temple Bar's Ian Lance on bargain shares

'What we're trying to do as value investors is exploit other people's over reactions,' says Temple Bar's Ian Lance. That means buying companies when there is a lot of bad news and when other people don't like that company, he explains. He joins Simon Lambert to discuss Temple Bar's value investing and why the UK stock market has taken a turn for the better but bargain stocks still remain.

This is Money's best cash Isa tables are updated as new deals arrive and highlight the top easy access and fixed rate Isas from banks and building societies.

Why wasn't my pension lifestyled? I lost £8,500 in stock market downturn: CRANE ON THE

I have a personal pension which I opened in the 1980s with Wesleyan Financial Services. In recent years, I received letters and emails suggesting my pension would be 'lifestyled' into a lower-risk fund five years ahead of my claim date, which was set to be when I turned 65 in March 2020. This did not happen and instead, my money remained in a fund rated moderate-high risk/high reward until March 2020. Had my pension been moved into a lower-risk fund in 2015, as Wesleyan said it would be in its letters, I believe I would not have lost as much money.

South West Water said around 13,000 households will receive £250 in compensation after enduring major problems with their water supplies in recent days.

EXCLUSIVE

A mortgage lender is now offering home buyers and homeowners the chance to borrow up to seven times their annual salary.

How I became solar panels convert - and even made a profit on my electricity bill, by SIR

My spirits always lift at this time of year when the sun comes out - but this spring I have an extra reason to enjoy the warmer weather. Last year my wife Helen and I installed solar panels, which means sunny days boost our bank balance as well as my mood. But do the numbers for solar panel installation really add up in Britain?

'We have become so used to stories about state pension errors that it is easy to become dulled to the scale of what went wrong,' says former minister Steve Webb.

The Government says in time the move could boost the retirement savings of the average worker by around £1,000 due to reduced costs.

Nissan estimates £4BN net loss in revised earnings forecast as it embraces huge

Towards the end of last year, alarm bells were sounded at the company, which was described as being 'on the brink of collapse' with 'just 12 months to survive' amid a company-shaking sales slump in China and the US, its two biggest markets. In a statement released today, the Japanese brand said it expects to record its biggest ever net loss of ¥700billion to ¥750bn for the financial year 2024-25, which is between £3.7bn and £4bn.

The longevity of battery life remains a major hurdle for second-hand car buyers who fear getting stung with a massive bill of up to £30k to replace a battery.

From switching insurer to installing a black box or updating a job title, This is Money reveals ten ways motorists can save on their car insurance policy today.

Sipp and Isa cashback offers: how to boost your savings

Now the new tax year is here, you can start putting refreshed tax allowances to good use. Investing platforms have introduced a raft of new tax year cashback offers that give investors the potential to boost their pots by up to £5,000. We reveal what's on offer and what type of investor the platform could be good for.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's appearance before bankers at the Willard Hotel needed a video feed as it was so oversubscribed.

Most recently, Trump sent US stocks tumbling even further after calling US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell a 'major loser' for not lowering US interest rates.

Bank of England tipped to slash rates TWICE in two months as tax hikes and US tariffs

In a boost for households and businesses hoping for cheaper borrowing costs, investors are betting on cuts in May and June, from 4.5% to 4%. With fears of recession mounting, markets think the rate could hit 3.5% by the end of the year as the economy buckles under the weight of Rachel Reeves' anti-business tax-raising Budget and a global trade war.

How much do YOU spend on bills each month? Cities with highest - and lowest - budgets

UK households are spending over two-thirds of their wages on essential bills and daily expenses, new data from Money Supermarket shows. One of the biggest drivers of higher costs has been an increase in gas and electricity bills, which Money Supermarket says increased from £102 to £110 per month, between the last quarter of 2024 and the first of 2025.

Homebuyers rushed to complete their property purchases in March ahead of the stamp duty deadline, new figures have revealed.

EXCLUSIVE

The average home insurance premium for a period property is £547 per year, compared to £302 a year for homes built after the year 2000, Compare the Market said.

How fake 'Reese Witherspoon' tried to cheat us out of thousands: We expose a devious new

If your favourite celebrity started to chat with you on social media, you might be sceptical that it was really them. But what if they had an official-looking account and sent you videos and photographs of themselves reassuring you that they were genuine? Growing numbers of victims are being caught out by these so-called 'deepfake' scams, in which scammers use new computer software to create authentic-looking but completely bogus profiles of famous people to ensnare their fans. Mark Lewis and Nick Stapleton, hosts of the BBC One series Scam Interceptors, went undercover to expose their tricks. Here they reveal how you can beat them...

For years I have recommended you stay away from savings accounts offered by the big high street banks. They typically pay a pittance.

More than 1million bank account switches took place in the last 12 months, with 222,805 occurring in the first three months of the year.

Oasis fans have already lost £2m to ticket scams, major bank warns

Oasis fans have collectively lost over £2million to ticket scams, new estimates from Lloyds bank show. Scammers are preying on eager fans scrambling to get hold of tickets to Oasis's long-awaited reunion tour this July.

Two more mortgage lenders have relaxed their mortgage rules, meaning homebuyers households can now potentially borrow tens of thousands of pounds more.

The price cap rose to £1,849 in April, an increase of £111. Fixed energy deals have been gradually returning to the market, so are there any that beat the current cap?

Age you can access work and private pensions soon rises to 57 - here's how to plan ahead

People in their late 40s and early 50s need to be aware of the change if they want to retire early, or use some of their pension savings to clear debt or meet other expenses. It's especially important to find out the age rules on your work and other personal pensions, because some people will continue to be able to access their funds at 55 depending on what they say. But you could accidentally forfeit this right if you move a pension to a scheme without this benefit. Here's what you need to know...

More people are paying IHT as frozen thresholds and soaring house prices have pulled them into the net, and experts predict this will only rise.

My neighbour has installed CCTV and one of his cameras points directly into my garden. Do I not have any right to privacy on my property?

IMF lashes out at China and US over trade war as tariff turmoil takes toll on corporate

As companies across the globe laid bare the impact of tariffs on their businesses, the International Monetary Fund warned tensions between Washington and Beijing were hitting investment and spending. It came amid mounting speculation that Donald Trump (pictured) is preparing to water down some levies, even cutting those on Chinese imports by more than half from the current rate of 145%.

Mark Read said the FTSE 100 group, one of the world's largest advertising agencies, was upholding its annual guidance amidst the 'challenging economic environment.'

Evoke revealed its revenue tipped up by 2 per cent at constant currency rates to £437million in the three months ending March.

Klaus Schwab (pictured) reportedly faces accusations including that he asked junior staff to withdraw thousands of dollars from cash machines.

Unilever's new boss Fernando Fernandez said the firm was on track to hit annual targets and distanced himself from its previous 'woke' posturing.

The 50 greatest British cars of all time ranked by experts - do YOU agree with all their

What's the greatest British car of all time? It's a frequently debated subject with plenty of people ready to give their two cents when crowing the best UK-made vehicle from past and present. Though there's typically only one winner when the question is asked which is best of all...

I regularly use my smartwatch at the wheel of my car when stuck in traffic, or waiting at lights, to check messages. Is this deemed a motoring offence?

The German car giant will soon offer a cut-away steering wheel design for its flagship EV alongside a new 'steer-by-wire' system. We explain how it works and if it's legal.

eBay sold my Rolex for £2,200... then sent it back with a fault - and told ME to pay

I recently sold my Rolex on eBay for £2,200, as I needed cash to pay off the arrears on my mortgage. The watch was sent to the eBay authentication department for inspection and it passed. It was forwarded to the buyer and I received the payment into my bank account. A few days later, the buyer returned the watch with some feeble excuses about its condition and eBay refunded her in full.

The headline rate will be hiked by 4.1% under the triple lock - but not all elements of the state pension are increased to the same level.

Savers collect a string of pension pots during their working lives but many never bother merging any of them. You can lose valuable benefits though - here's what to weigh up.

How homeowners can spread the cost of solar panels and take control of their energy bills

This month, the energy price cap went up by £111 per year for the typical home on a variable tariff, increasing to £1,849. It is the third time in a row that the price cap, which is reassessed by Ofgem every three months, has gone up. More homeowners are looking for ways to beat these rises, and protect their bills against the ups and downs of the unpredictable energy market.

If the insurance company were to fail would my pension be taken over by the Pension Protection Fund as would be the case if the company failed?

The only way Ukraine has been able to keep taking the fight to Russia is because of billions of dollars' worth of military aid from the West flowing into Ukrainian coffers.

Have I unearthed a £1,000 Dior saddle handbag for £10 at a car boot sale? DAN HATFIELD

I found this handbag at a car boot sale - when I got home and examined it, I found it was poentially a Dior saddle bag. Am I right? And if so, does i mean my £10 bargain buy is actually worth far more than that?

The International Monetary Fund has slashed its forecast for growth in the UK economy for this year by 0.5 per cent to 1.1 per cent. Here, we look at how this could impact millions of ordinary Britons...

Part of the attraction of gold is its physicality - especially when we become less confident about what the future holds. So if it isn't an assured store of wealth, is anything?

What's YOUR risk appetite? Are you an adventurous, balanced or cautious investor - take

Usually one of the first steps a new investor takes is to self-diagnose their 'risk appetite'. Meanwhile, aging, surprise events and reaching life milestones will change the priorities of experienced investors over time. Risk appetite is not a character trait, it's a matter of taking a considered investment risk in the right scenario. So how do you work out your own tolerance to risk, and apply it to become a successful investor - find out here.

Donald Trump was supposed to be good for investors but things have not gone as planned. Simon Lambert and Richard Hunter discuss what's next.

Brave young investors who are willing to boldly go where few have gone before have the chance to achieve out-of-this-world returns.

Our best fixed energy deals that beat the April price cap

The price cap rose to £1,849 in April, an increase of £111. Fixed energy deals have been gradually returning to the market, so are there any that beat the current cap? It's worth comparing energy providers to make sure you're not paying more than you need to.

Is a bitcoin economy the future? HARVEY DORSET watches a new documentary claiming it is

A documentary featuring iconic skateboarder Tony Hawk called God Bless Bitcoin has been released - but is the crypto really the future? I went to a private screening to find out and came away wondering why it hadn't tackled a huge whale in the room.

Britain's second biggest building society, which has 2million members, has launched a  new loyalty regular saver account paying 5%.

Homeowners have seen mortgage rates rise since October, despite the Bank of England cutting the base rate, new exclusive analysis has revealed.

Britain's beauty spots where you can buy your dream home for 30% BELOW the asking price

Your dream home may seem out of reach but you could wipe as much as 30 pc off the listed price in some areas as desperate sellers want to clinch a deal. A combination of overvalued houses and slow property markets means there could be plenty of room for negotiation.

EXCLUSIVE

Higher earners who do not opt out of payments need to pay a tax charge at the end of the tax year and declare it on their self-assessment tax return or face a penalty.

The Bank of England is forecast to cut interest rates three more times this year - but it is unlikely to translate into lower mortgage rates, according to experts.

Best stocks & shares Isas: Pick the right investment account

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and a variety of charges can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

Best DIY investing platforms

The lowest fixed rate mortgage deals have dipped below 4% - and there is a growing expectation that rates may be about to fall further.

If you are planning on investing, or just want to know more, we tell you the 10 essential things to consider for a successful buy-to-let investment

We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential reading to help you choose a top savings account for your money that can also protect you from tax.

We asked trusted experts to recommend the best funds that cover different investment sectors - and included This is Money's selection of active and passive options too.

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Premium Bonds Winners

PrizeAreaValue of bond
£1,000,000South Yorkshire£20,000
£1,000,000Hertfordshire£30,000
£100,000Kent£10,000
£100,000Sheffield£11,900
£100,000Outer London£50,000
£100,000Inner London£9,000
£100,000Shropshire£10,000
£100,000Cambridgeshire£3,000
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