Average age of first time buyer climbs to 34

Google may have to make changes in the UK so people have more choice over which search engine they use, following a landmark decision from the regulator. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Google with “strategic market status” under a law which came into force in January. The decision does not mean the…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondent Getty Images Policymakers at the Bank of England are expected to cut interest rates – bringing the Bank rate down to its lowest level since February 2023. Analysts are widely predicting a fall from 4% to 3.75%, although they do not expect a unanimous decision among the nine-member Monetary Policy…

Jo Lonsdale and Jane DownsNorth East and Cumbria Investigations BBC Vanessa Corby was quoted £44,000 for a connection to mains electricity Some 2,000 households are thought to be off-grid in the UK, having no access to mains power. With connections quoted at prices up to £478,000, why is it so expensive and why do people…