Money

Updated: 02:53 EST

Accidental landlords unable to sell flood the market

Tens of thousands of homeowners have become accidental landlords in the last year, as homes in the notoriously expensive South East and London struggle to sell. The decision by owners to keep hold of properties and let them in order to move has come despite a tax crackdown on buy-to-let - and Countrywide said one in 12 homes available in the rental market has previously been up for sale.

Many income investors are guilty of relying too heavily on the so called dividend stalwarts in the FTSE 100, but there are plenty of opportunities away from the big guns.

McLaren's £750k Senna hypercar is tribute to F1 legend

The McLaren Senna has been named after the late three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna (inset) with some of the proceeds of its £750,000 price tag going to his charity to support underprivileged children. in his home nation, Brazil. It gets McLaren's own designed dihedral doors, though this time with an additional feature. If you're happy to pay extra for it, the British-based car maker will fit the lower parts of the door panels with glass inserts so you can see the apex of the corner. It should also help when trying not to kerb a wheel when parallel parking and squeezing through width restrictions in town.

The lender was fined £1.2bn in 2012 for handling dirty cash, and only just escaped criminal proceedings. Investigators warned they would take it to court for the debacle if it did anything else wrong.

Among those chairman targeted in the move by the Financial Conduct Authority is 64-year-old Alison Carnwath (pictured) at Land Securities.

While a seasonal lull was expected, the 2.6 per cent monthly fall in the price of homes coming on to the market was the biggest recorded in five years, Rightmove said.

The first-even bitcoin future trading began on Sunday as the newest way to bet on the increasingly popular virtual currency made its debut on a major US exchange.

EDITOR'S DEALS OF THE WEEK
For current account rewards and interest conditions may apply eg. using provider's full switching service, min deposits and direct debits. For savings, access maybe limited, min/max deposits may apply. See T&Cs.; Representative example: If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 18.95% p.a. (variable) your representative rate will be 18.9% APR (variable).

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MARKET REPORT: Hollywood Bowl pops as dividend returns

The ten-pin bowling group said it will be paying investors a special dividend of 3.33p per share and would raise its ordinary dividend from 0.19p to 3.95p - bringing the total number of funds returned to shareholders to £13.6m. It came as the firm revealed soaring full-year sales and profits, after reaping the benefits of its strategy to place bowling centres near cinema chains.

Tycoon Spencer Haber has over the last two years bought up debt from the struggling Four Seasons care home chain, which is home to 17,000 vulnerable and elderly residents.

Truckers can rake in more than £20 an hour as well as bonuses of £100 per shift, taking their daily rate to £250 or more in some instances, according to recruitment company Manpower.

It is unclear what Apple's plans are for Shazam, but the deal is likely to strengthen its existing partnership with Apple Music and its voice recognition service Siri.

Banks have scaled back estimates of jobs that may have to move after Brexit, accountant EY said. In 2016, 12 firms said 12,500 roles would move abroad. Now, 26 are expecting just 10,500 relocations in total.

The liberal elite's loathing of President Trump here in New York is eclipsed only by their disdain for Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's Scots-born wife Louise Linton.

Ban pension cold-calls now, demand MPs

A ban on pension cold-calls must be brought forward to stop the elderly being duped into handing over their life savings to fraudsters, MPs will say today. The work and pensions select committee said 'urgent action' must be taken to stop the elderly and vulnerable handing over millions of pounds with little chance of getting it back. They should also be given a default option before they can access their pension pot to prevent cold-call scams, a cross-party group of MPs claims. A planned Government ban on cold-callers who try to scam people out of their pension savings may not be brought in until 2020, because it is reliant on a new financial guidance body being set up. But MPs say it should be brought in by June next year at the latest.

A new study highlighted that more than 10 million Britons would be unable to get to work if they could only rely on buses, trains and other models of public transport. So which areas are worst catered for?

Contactless cards prove popular with fraudulent 'skimmers'

Contactless cards are the impatient shopper's best friend and now account for a fifth of all purchases in shops by plastic. But beware - they are also proving popular with fraudsters. A recent survey found that more than a third of contactless cardholders have had direct or indirect experience of fraud or identify theft in the past year.

Royal Bank of Scotland head of banking Jane Howard says she cannot rule out more closures if there are further revolutions in the way people do their banking. She's axed 259 so far.

MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Warpaint cosmetics look to be a winner

Warpaint is one of the fastest-growing beauty businesses, valued on the stock market at more than £170 million.The shares are 222½p and should move higher over the next few years. Appealing primarily to 16 to 30-year-olds, Warpaint uses colourful packaging, quirky terminology and cheap prices to distinguish W7 products from the rest of the industry.

Mercia Technologies invests in young, innovative companies based in the Midlands, the North and Scotland in industries ranging from healthcare to gaming.

The London Stock Exchange is being treated like a plaything by a hedge fund manager and trying and failing to merge with its German counterpart, writes Ruth Sunderland.

Manager of Man GLG UK Income Fund Henry Dixon makes every portfolio decision based on delivering a growing income for investors while at all times mitigating investment risk.

We round up the Sunday newspaper share tips. This week, Midas analyses cosmetic firm Warpaint, the Times looks at funeral director Dignity, and the Telegraph assesses Croda.

How to invest for your child this Christmas

Rather than waste money on the latest fad this year, why not buy your little ones a gift that teaches them about the value of money and instils some good financial habits? Putting a tax-friendly Junior Isa in your child's stocking may not be as exciting when it comes to unwrapping presents on Christmas morning, but it could grow into a welcome nest egg.

Residents of a Persimmon housing development that has been left unfinished for years have expressed their fury at an enormous £130 million bonus for the housebuilder's boss, Jeff Fairburn.

There is no proper system of licensing in the UK where business debts are concerned. This means that anyone can pocket fees and then shut up shop, writes Tony Hetherington.

Where are landlords raking in the biggest profits?  

Rising house prices, more stamp duty to pay and less tax relief have all piled the pressure on to landlord finances in recent years but there are still healthy returns on offer in some parts of the UK. Research has looked at annual yields on 500,000 buy-to-let properties across Britain and found that while landlords in London are struggling to make a decent return, those letting out homes in Liverpool are firmly in the black.

According to the specialist company Woods4Sale, owning woodland - for weekend jaunts, rather than to build on - is a growing market

Homeowners have been rushing to switching their mortgage to a cheaper deal after the Bank of England raised interest rates last month - but better deals could be imminent.

Jo Johnson reveals plans for two-year university courses

The so-called 'accelerated degree' will work out 20 per cent cheaper overall and save students thousands of pounds in borrowing costs, according to Universities Minister Jo Johnson. Announcing the proposals today, Johnson told The Mail on Sunday he hopes universities will grab the opportunity to offer students more flexibility and choice by providing short-term degrees over a wide variety of subjects - in addition to traditional courses.

British cyclist and six-time Olympic gold champion Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra shared £500,000 dividend from his commercial ventures last year, including company Trackstars Limited.

Rail passengers in the UK face the biggest spike in prices for five years - but there are ways they can fight back. Our ten-point guide to help you beat the ever-increasing rail fares.

Benefits overhaul will mean thousands lose their homes

The UK Finance report - seen exclusively by Thisismoney.co.uk - argues that support for mortgage interest from the Government is a critical for struggling homeowners, especially the elderly. By scrapping it at the same time as axing tax credits, the banking trade association says it's 'inevitable' that more of the families who fall behind on their mortgages will be evicted.

Energy firms have criticised government plans to introduce a price cap on gas and electricity bills.Experts believe customers overpaid for energy by £1.4 billion last year.

Thousands of homes and many leading care groups have a history of poor care. More than 2,000 are currently failing to deliver 'good' care, with nearly 400 graded 'inadequate'.

Ray Massey on the new DS7 Crossback

The new DS7 Crossback is aimed as a Gallic riposte to the dominant German, Japanese and British upmarket luxury off-roaders. The bold Audi-esque grille aside, what strike you most are the finishing touches. DS bosses insist everything the customer touches will be leather, metal or wood - with no plastics to spoil the tactile experience.

Create a dazzling, festive display with branches, berries and baubles. Simply spray branches gold or silver and they will be transformed into something magical.

Vanguard unveils two lifestyle funds aimed at millennials

Fund giant Vanguard has launched two special funds aimed at fresh-faced investors with over 40 years to go before they retire. It claims a 25-year-old investing £100 per month could end up with around £135,000 after 40 years. That means that they provide an easy option for someone in their twenties or early thirties now - the so-called millennial generation - who want to get cracking on saving for retirement.

Figures from the IA revealed UK Equity Income as the worst selling sector, losing £272million, as private investors pulled out more cash than they put in.

Could you take matters into your own hands, tackle your own temptations and make yourself wealthier - or just happier?

Airbnb to make a £700m takeover bid for holiday companies

Airbnb is planning a swoop on posh British holiday companies in a move that will further cement the company's dominance in the holiday lettings market. The £700 million deal would be the Silicon Valley firm's biggest takeover to date, seeing it inherit a portfolio of holiday companies which includes Hoseasons - a 70-year-old camping business - cottages.com, James Villa Holidays and other brands with holiday lets in Greece, Croatia and Italy.

The Financial Conduct Authority has doled out £229.4m of penalties this year, up from £22.2m in 2016. The increase suggests the regulator is taking a tough line under boss Andrew Bailey.

Billionaire investor Sir Chris Hohn, is seeking to oust chairman Donald Brydon, who he blames for forcing former chief executive Xavier Rolet to quit.

Profits at Dixons Carphone are expected to tumble by more than 50 per cent this week as the rising cost of new mobile phones mean customers hang onto their old handsets longer.

Brexit tactics smack of 'panic', says Miriam Gonzalez

Theresa May and David Davis need to clarify whether they want Britain to stay close to Europe or gravitate to US trade rules before the UK can strike meaningful post- Brexit deals,says Miriam Gonzalez, a leading trade expert and wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Four Seasons was hit by a further setback as talks to save the debt-ridden facility broke down just days before it is due to make a £26 million interest payment.

Sales at the group, which is the country's biggest ten-pin bowling operator, grew by 8.8 per cent to £114million over the period, while like-for-like sales rose 3.5 per cent.

Sources said the company is in pole position to be awarded the £150 million contract for Brook House, near Gatwick, once again, after it came up for renewal earlier this year.

An easy way to help rail commuters paying high train fares

Britain's long-suffering commuters have a problem with sky-high train fares, so what did the Government deliver? An extension of the Young Person's railcard up to the age of 30. But there is a simple solution that could at least ease the pain of people paying thousands of pounds a year to get to work - officially allow people to salary sacrifice their season tickets.

First-time buyer average deposit to hit £81K in 10 years

The average deposit that first-time buyers need to get onto the property ladder is expected to rise to more than £80,000 in the next 10 years. Highlighting the extreme financial pressures placed on those wanting to buy their own home - mortgage broker L&C; created an interactive map that shows how first-time buyers will be affected across the UK.

House prices rocket by £8,000 in a year, says Halifax

The average house price is now £226,821 - up 3.9 per cent over the past 12 months - according to the latest Halifax house price figures. Demand continues to outstrip demand, pushing up prices, according to Halifax, with homes as expensive compared to wages as they were at the peak of the 2000s boom.

Jaguar I-Pace undergoes final tests in Tesla's backyard

If Elon Musk had peered out of his California office window last week he might have caught a glimpse of the new electric car that's set to challenge his Tesla brand's market dominance. The vehicle in question is Jaguar's 2018 I-Pace, an all-electric premium SUV that is set to undercut the most affordable Tesla equivalent - the Model X 75D - by £10,000 and wipe the floor with it in a game of Top Trumps.

Where do you keep your car keys overnight? If you're one of 96% of motorists that don't secure the you're vulnerable to car thieves using high-tech gadgets to steal vehicles.

Recently, a taxi driver told me how he had taken money out of his Isas - and turned to Bitcoin and Premium Bonds instead. A foolish strategy - or a genius move?

Chalet Huskey in Val-d'Isère goes on sale for £8m

Chalet Huskey is the largest new build chalet to be built in the popular resort of Val-d'Isère in the French Alps, and it is on the market for £8million. As well as an indoor garden with a glass bridge, it boasts an indoor swimming pool, seven bedrooms and a climbing wall. There is also a bar and a dining area that can seat 18 people.

If older diesel cars were replaced with newer vehicles, harmful nitrogen oxides emission would fall by 68% a year and vehicles would consume 173bn gallons less fuel annually, Kwik Fit said.

Oliver Schmidt, 48, was convicted yesterday of concealing software used to evade pollution limits on around 11 million vehicles - predominantly diesels - around the world.

ASK TONY: iPhone delivery was signed for but never arrived

I bought an iPhone 6 on eBay for £200 plus £5 postage. The seller sent the phone to me straight away via Royal Mail's 'signed for' service. Unfortunately, on the day it was apparently delivered, my husband and I were both out. When I got home I saw online that the parcel had been delivered and signed for. I checked with my neighbours and looked for the parcel to no avail. Royal Mail spoke to the driver who apparently said that he had left it in my mailbox.

Savers can now get their hands on four new accounts from National Savings and Investments as it looks to attract more cash into the financial year.

There are no guarantees in the world of investment but experience can be drawn on to help shape decision making. Here a leading expert share his views on what's in store for 2018.

Get an investing Plan B to protect against a market crash

History teaches us that bull runs never last forever and eventually markets will plunge into a bear territory, or even worse face a full-on crash. When exactly this will happen is anyone's guess, so unless you have a fully functioning crystal ball, having a contingency plan is a wise move.

The true cost of Christmas for some has been laid bare by research showing some parents are willing to skip meals and say no to holidays in order to buy gifts.

Although a financial tool of the British Government, National Savings remains much loved by savers because of the one big advantage they have over the nasty banks - savings are rock solid safe.

We visit Port Talbot to see how pension vultures swooped

Paul Thomas travelled to Taibach, in the shadow of the Port Talbot steelworks, to investigate allegations that workers are being badly advised by financial advisers. The five men who have agreed to meet us at the rugby club are among 130,000 members of the failing British Steel Pension Scheme who have been given until December 22 to make an incredibly difficult choice.

Just how much you need to cover essential expenses will be personal to you. But it's not hard to calculate it once you've dug out the relevant paperwork and done some basic sums.

Shops are charging rip-off fees if customers fail to pick up their click-and-collect orders within as little as ten days. The service allows shoppers to order goods online then pick them up in store.

What is a dividend? Watch our simple explainer

And don't think that you have to be a big investor to be affected by dividends. You may be profiting from them without even realising. In this episode of the Big Money Questions, Marcus Stadlmann, chief investment officer at Lloyds Private Banking explains what they are, how they work and how they can make you richer.

How to invest for higher inflation: Buy banks, not beer

Investing for a low inflation world has paid off handsomely in recent years, as defensive shares with a reliable dividend have seen their prices rise substantially. But is it time for a different course of action? Better opportunities lie elsewhere believes Schroders' James Sym.

50 ways to save money....

To clear the average national household debt of £13,000 at 6% interest with a monthly repayment of £100 will take around 17 years. There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear your debt - or boost your savings - in less than a year. This is Money's top 50 - updated - money-saving tips may appear light-hearted but are deadly serious.

Pick the best (and cheapest) investment Isa platform

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. 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.

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.

Rightly or wrongly, some people simply want a quick, straightforward route map to investing in an Isa. To that end, this is our distilled guide to getting started.

How much money do I need to save for my pension?

The amount you can save into a pension ultimately depends on what you can afford - but the longer you leave it the more you will need to save. We tend to put ambitious targets on our hoped-for income in retirement and then underestimate how much we will need to set aside to achieve that. So how much should you save?

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Making the most of a pension is your best chance of securing a decent income when you retire. We explain what you need to know.

Even at a time when we are stretching our finances further to afford a home, moving less, and pushing mortgages beyond 30 years, we still remain captivated by two-year fixed rate deals.

When will UK interest rates rise?

The Bank of England has raised the base rate back to 0.5 per cent. The move up from 0.25 per cent is accompanied by an Inflation Report, which will outline where the bank sees things moving next. Expectations are that rates will not move up swiftly after this first rise, This is Money will bring you the details of the Inflation report and analysis imminently.

What next for mortgage rates?

Borrowers are being offered a raft of cheap fixed rate mortgages as lenders attempt to lure them into remortgaging or buying a home. But HSBC has decided to buck the trend and launch a new rate mortgage that is a tracker instead. We pick out the best fixed and tracker rate mortgages and look at what next for rates.

Ten tips for buy-to-let

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Climbing house prices, rising rents and improving mortgage deals are tempting investors - although they will need a big deposit. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips

Best paid jobs and biggest pay rises of 2016 revealed

Compare your pay to the national average and see whether your employer treated you to a pay rise in line with the the rest of your profession. Farmers, care and air travel assistants were big winners on the pay scales in 2016. Travel agents, careers advisers and probation officers lost out.

Premium Bonds winners

December 2017
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 60PV693631 Cornwall
£1,000,000 273WE102226 Kent
£100,000 35RR629565 West Sussex
£100,000 299ET677431 Cumbria
£100,000 251QM976219 Avon
£100,000 155MW909384 North East Scotland
£50,000 80JH932161 London
£50,000 72CY368436 Oxfordshire
£50,000 303YS939445 Essex
£50,000 270VD138656 Buckinghamshire
£50,000 250PF153091 London
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