Mortgages back on the market

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.

Mortgage deals return

Big lenders like Nationwide, Halifax, and Santander have lifted mortgage restrictions, making it easier for first-time buyers to get approved. Since the start of lockdown, only buyers with very large deposits have been able to get a mortgage. But now lenders are adapting to the new normal, opening their doors again to people with a 15% or 20% deposit.

Ryanair rejects distancing rules

The airline has threatened not to take off after lockdown is lifted. Why? It won’t fly if it’s forced to leave middle seats empty, and branded the social distancing rule “entirely ineffective”. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary declared “either the government pays for the middle seat or we won’t fly”.

We’re buying less ice cream

Consumer giant Unilever has released its sales data (paywall) from the first few months of 2020. As you might expect, it’s seen shoppers spend more on pandemic essentials like soap and groceries. But the biggest loser? Ice cream. Sales of the cold stuff saw the sharpest decline, with customers reluctant to stock up ahead of an uncertain summer.

Just Eat snapped up

A mainstay for millions during these socially distanced times, online food delivery platform Just Eat will be acquired by European firm Takeaway.com. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given a green light to the tasty £6.2 billion deal. It’s satisfied the merger won’t cause any problems or price hikes for customers.