Major British retail and commercial bank; one of the Big Four
Retail volumes have risen in May as hot weather and promotions boosted demand. Online sales and department stores led the gain, while food retailers fell. The three-month trend remains mixed amid shifting consumer behavior.
Axel Springer has completed its £575m takeover of Telegraph Media Group, ending three years of ownership uncertainty. The deal will accelerate the Telegraph’s digital transformation and push for growth in the US, leveraging the group’s Politico and Business Insider assets. Editorial independence is described as sacrosanct, with focus on expanding UK and overseas reach.
Savers have more options as banks, fintechs and platforms offer easy-access and fixed-rate accounts above 4% in August 2026. Several products include bonuses, with some rates proving short-term; readers should compare terms and ladder strategies to shield value from inflation.
Lloyds Bank has reported that UK house prices have fallen 0.4% year on year in August, marking the first annual decline since November 2023. The typical UK price is 298,468 pounds, with monthly changes showing a 0.2% decrease in August after July. Experts say prices remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, but affordability pressures persist across regions. Analysts forecast ongoing subdued activity in the coming months as borrowing costs and geopolitical tensions weigh on sentiment.
England’s head coach Steve Borthwick has had his contract extended past the 2028 Six Nations to avoid uncertainty ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. The RFU says the move provides time to decide leadership beyond the tournament, while emphasising continued backing if England perform at the World Cup. Meanwhile, the organisation is expanding sponsorship revenue as it recalibrates post-Six Nations.