London homes getting cheaper

Get straight to the good stuff every day with the Multiply Minute; a lightning-quick round-up of the money news and how it affects you.

London house prices drop

The London property market has fallen out of step with the rest of the country, with homes getting cheaper even though there are more buyers in the market. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey has reported a dip in London house prices, and expects them to continue falling over the next 12 months.

Brexit price hikes

60% of Brits think food will get pricier if the UK doesn’t secure a trade deal with the EU, according to a poll by campaign group Best for Britain. And they might be right. The group also released findings that the average family’s food bill could go up by £250 a year under a no-deal scenario, with tariffs adding up to 30% to the price of some essentials.

Freelancer exodus

253,000 freelancers abandoned self-employment* and joined company payrolls between April and July. Freelancer numbers were at a record high of 5 million at the start of the year. But economic uncertainty coupled with unpopular new tax rules have pushed 15% towards the security of a regular paycheck.

Hire a Brompton

Bike maker Brompton will launch a subscription service next month, allowing pedallers to hire a folding bike for £30 a month. That includes insurance, repairs, and servicing. Cycling has boomed during lockdown, with a 300% increase in people taking to the streets on two wheels in a bid to avoid public transport.