Latest news with #JamesFlanders
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
New mortgage rules could add £19,000 to average house price and help first-time buyers with lower deposits
Scroll down to find out what is happening with mortgage rates HOME LOAN New mortgage rules could add £19,000 to average house price and help first-time buyers with lower deposits NEW mortgage rules could add £19,000 to average house prices and help first-time buyers get on the ladder with lower deposits. Changes to stress testing practices could cause property prices to increase by between 5% and 7.5% over the next five years, claims Savills. 1 House prices could surge by up to 7.5% over the next five years, Savills said Credit: Getty New research by the estate agent also predicts the average deposit needed by a first-time buyer could fall from £58,000 to as little as £45,000 over the same time frame, The Telegraph reports. Lucian Cook, of Savills, said: 'Change would not be immediate, with the impact on house prices and transactions likely to take place over a period of five years. 'But in the medium to long term, the market would feel the knock-on effect of a widening pool of buyers." In March, the FCA reminded lenders they are allowed to tweak their stress testing based on market expectations. It said the market approach to stress testing could be restricting borrowers' access to affordable mortgages. It comes as mortgage interest rates fall, following drops in the Bank of England (BoE) base rate. Stress tests are carried out by lenders to see if borrowers could cope with an uptick in their interest rate or if their income dropped. A host of lenders, including Halifax, Santander and Barclays, have tweaked their stress tests in recent months. Santander said it could allow home buyers to borrow up to £35,000 more. But relaxing stress testing rules, while making it easier for buyers to get a mortgage, could see house prices rise as demand increases. The Sun's James Flanders explains how to find the best deal on your mortgage What is happening with mortgage rates? Mortgage rates have been falling steadily across the UK following a number of Bank of England (BoE) base rate cuts. Trump's "Liberation Day" blitz of tariffs also led to a number of lenders slashing interest rates below 4%. The base rate is the rate the BoE charges to high street banks and lenders when they borrow money. If it goes up, it means mortgage rates tend to rise too, as well as savings rates. When it falls, it sees the opposite happen. The base rate currently sits at 4.25%, having been lowered from 4.5% earlier this month, and down from 5.25% in summer last year. According to the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage is 5.12% today, compared to 5.93% a year ago. The average five-year fixed residential mortgage rate today is 5.09%. This is down from 5.50% a year ago. More base rate cuts are expected this year. It's worth bearing in mind, when your mortgage rate falls is dependent on the type you have. Those on tracker and standard variable rate (SVR) mortgages tend to see their rates fall first. However, if you're on a fixed rate, you won't feel the impact of any rate changes until your deal ends. If you are coming to the end of a fixed deal, most lenders let you lock in a new rate up to six months beforehand, which can be worth doing. If rates fall after you agree a new deal, some lenders will let you sign a new one at a lower rate.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Lidl urgently recalls popular protein snack from shelves due to ‘health risks' as shoppers urged to ‘return them'
Protein snack pulled from shelves over hidden ingredients that could cause allergic reactions NOT FIT TO EAT Lidl urgently recalls popular protein snack from shelves due to 'health risks' as shoppers urged to 'return them' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIDL has urgently pulled a popular protein snack from shelves over health fears, urging shoppers to return it immediately. The Cookies & Cream Protein Bars, made by Healthy Fit, are being recalled from Lidl stores in Northern Ireland because they contain milk and soya, which are not declared in English on the label. 2 Lidl will display point of sale notices in affected stores to explain why the bars are being removed Credit: Getty 2 The recall affects the 60g Cookies & Cream Protein Bars with the batch code 002851 and a best before date of January 2026 This poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, and/or an allergy to soya. The Food Standards Agency issued an allergy alert warning: 'This product contains milk and soya making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.' Healthy Fit is recalling the product and has been advised to contact relevant allergy support organisations. Lidl will display point of sale notices in affected stores to explain why the bars are being removed and what customers should do if they have purchased them. Read more on News TOTAL RECALL Marks & Spencer urgently recalls baby product due to 'safety complaints' The recall affects the 60g Cookies & Cream Protein Bars with the batch code 002851 and a best before date of January 2026. Customers who have bought the bars and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or soya are advised not to eat them. Instead, they should return the product to the store where it was bought for a full refund, with or without a receipt. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Lidl urgently recalls popular protein snack from shelves due to ‘health risks' as shoppers urged to ‘return them'
LIDL has urgently pulled a popular protein snack from shelves over health fears, urging shoppers to return it immediately. The Cookies & Cream Protein Bars, made by Healthy Fit, are being recalled from Lidl stores in Northern Ireland because they contain milk and soya, which are not declared in English on the label. Advertisement 2 Lidl will display point of sale notices in affected stores to explain why the bars are being removed Credit: Getty 2 The recall affects the 60g Cookies & Cream Protein Bars with the batch code 002851 and a best before date of January 2026 This poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, and/or an allergy to soya. The Food Standards Agency issued an allergy alert warning: 'This product contains milk and soya making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.' Healthy Fit is recalling the product and has been advised to contact relevant allergy support organisations. Lidl will display point of sale notices in affected stores to explain why the bars are being removed and what customers should do if they have purchased them. Advertisement Read more on News The recall affects the 60g Cookies & Cream Protein Bars with the batch code 002851 and a best before date of January 2026. Customers who have bought the bars and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or soya are advised not to eat them. Instead, they should return the product to the store where it was bought for a full refund, with or without a receipt. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Advertisement Most read in The Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Virtually unknown stamp duty loophole that means you pay TWICE – and who can avoid it
Scroll down to find out how to pay stamp duty HOUSE THAT Virtually unknown stamp duty loophole that means you pay TWICE – and who can avoid it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A VIRTUALLY unknown stamp duty loophole could leave you paying the tax twice. Cohabiting homeowners who buy their partner out following a separation may find themselves hit with the land tax more than once. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 You could end up paying stamp duty more than once if you're buying out a partner Credit: PA Stamp duty is, typically, a one-off payment you make if you buy a property or piece of land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland. But if you bought a property with a partner and you're unmarried, you might have to pay stamp duty again if you break up and want to buy their share of the property. You'll only avoid paying it if the transfer is part of a formal divorce or separation agreement. The extra stamp duty you might have to pay depends on how much is left on your mortgage and the equity in your property (the part of your home you've already paid off). You'll only have to pay stamp duty again if the "chargeable consideration" is more than £125,000. The "chargeable consideration" is the total value of what you're taking on to own the property, such as the remaining mortgage and any equity. For example, if you pay your ex-partner £100,000 for their share of the equity and take on £200,000 of their mortgage, the total "chargeable consideration" would be £300,000. In this case, you would need to pay stamp duty on £175,000, which is the amount above the £125,000 threshold for residential properties. The rules about paying stamp duty after separating from a partner can be tricky, so it's a good idea to speak to a solicitor or tax advisor to work out exactly how much you owe. Keep in mind that you will likely need to pay for their services. The Sun's James Flanders explains how to find the best deal on your mortgage Simon Nosworth, partner at Osbornes Law, said: "If you're married you can be sheltered from having to pay stamp duty upon divorce when you're splitting up assets like a mortgage. "This is because you've got protection under the Finance Act. "However, if you're unmarried you don't have this protection. "Broadly it is unfair, but there is no way around it." What is stamp duty? STAMP duty land tax (SDLT) is a lump sum payment anyone buying a property or piece of land over a certain price has to pay. You pay the tax when you: Buy a freehold property Buy a new or existing leasehold Buy a property through a shared ownership scheme Land is transferred to you or property in exchange for payment, for example, you take on a mortgage or buy a share in a house The rate you pay depends on the price and type of property and certain thresholds. If you are a first-time buyer no stamp duty is due if the property is worth £300,000 or less. You'll also get a discount if the purchase price is £500,000 or less and will only pay 5% SDLT on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. Those who aren't first-time buyers will pay different rates depending on the value of their new home: If it's up to £125,000 - no stamp duty is paid For the next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) - stamp duty is charged at 2% For the next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) - stamp duty is charged at 5% For the next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million_ - stamp duty is charged at 10% For the remaining amount (the portion above £1.5million) - stamp duty is charged at 12% You'll usually have to pay 5% on top of SDLT rates if buying a new residential property means you'll own more than one. An HMRC spokesperson said: "Stamp duty in these cases may only be payable on the share purchased, not on the total value of the property." How to pay the stamp duty You have to pay stamp duty within 14 days of any transaction date. If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, you need to make sure your payment reaches HMRC by the end of the previous working day. You will need your 11-character unique transaction reference number to hand. This reference will always be made up of nine numbers and two characters (for example, 123456789MC). You can find this on your paper return or on your electronic SDLT5 certificate. You can pay online by clicking on the "pay now" button found via You can also pay by cheque, but must allow three working days for your payment to reach HMRC. Make your cheque payable to "HM Revenue and Customs only" and write your reference number on the back. If you've filed a paper return, you need to complete the payslip and send this with your cheque to: BT Stamp Duty Land Tax HM Revenue and Customs BX9 1LT Send your cheque (including a payslip or quoting the unique transaction reference) to: HM Revenue and Customs Direct BX5 5BD Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Marks & Spencer urgently recalls popular baby product due to ‘safety complaints' & warns ‘return it immediately'
MARKS & Spencer has urgently recalled a popular baby product due to customer "safety complaints". The retail giant has warned buyers that they must return the item immediately. Advertisement 1 Marks and Spencer have urgently recalled a popular baby item Credit: Getty Polarn O. Pyret Branded Poppy Print Rompers have been recalled due to safety complaints. Parents and carers of little ones have been asked to check their homes to see if they have the affected product. The recall has been made for the T94 8409A model in size 1-12 months old, which was sold online at M&S. The company said: "Polarn O. Pyret has issued a Product Recall due to safety complaints with their Poppy Print Romper, T94 8409A in the specified sizes 1-12 Months". Advertisement The online-only product means that affected items were not available to purchase from physical M&S stores during the original purchase period. Those who bought the romper or received it as a gift have been urged to "return it immediately" at any M&S Clothing store. A full refund will be issued upon return. M&S have said that further support is also being offered and if customers have further questions, they can call the company's customer service line at 0333 014 8555. M&S has apologised for any inconvenience caused to shoppers. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The news comes after a popular car seat has been banned by trading authorities over "serious" suffocation fears. And sold in the UK that pose a fire risk as owners are told to 'stop using immediately'. Milk is urgently pulled from shelves over traces of deadly bacteria which kills one in 20 In another product recall - There was also an urgent recall of popular product bought on TikTok over the Advertisement A Health food brand also Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item It came after Lidl recently told shoppers not to eat one of its savoury snacks over fears it could contain And just last month, Iceland recalled its Vegetable Lasagne after the possible presence of hard plastic pieces was discovered in packs with best-before dates of 23 July 2026 and 30 July 2026. Advertisement A
