4.5% out of work

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Jobless rate rises

4.5% of Brits are now out of work, the most for over 3 years. That’s according to the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics. It also reported that redundancies are at their highest level since 2009, with people in the hospitality and travel industries worst affected.

Bank of mum and dad

More first-time buyers are turning to family with help getting onto the property ladder. 56% need help from BOMAD* to buy their first home, according to insurer Legal & General. Without this help, the average prospective buyer would have had to wait an extra four years to get the keys.

September stockpiling

Christmas has come early for retailers. In September, spending jumped at the fastest rate since March, according to Barclaycard. Many people have started their festive shopping early and some are stockpiling essentials in case of another lockdown, according to survey data.