![](\"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/image-1.png\")
Apple has been hit with a £1.5 billion class action lawsuit that claims its App Store charges are excessive and unlawful. The tech giant is accused of shutting down competition by forcing apps to use its payment system and charging them 30% for the privilege. But Apple isn’t worried. It says the lawsuit is “meritless” and points out that 84% of apps on its platform are free and their developers don’t pay anything to Apple.
House prices have surged 8.2% in the past year according to mortgage lender Halifax. The average price of a UK home has hit £258,204, around £20,000 higher than this time last year. It seems to be driven by high buyer demand, with people trying to get their keys before the stamp duty holiday ends later this year.
Brits spent big on coats and jumpers in April ready for al fresco nights out and holidays in the UK. Retail data shows total sales were 7.3% higher than April 2019, with fashion retailers doing particularly well.
Boris Johnson is promising a skills revolution in the UK by making loans available for adults to upskill or retrain. The plans will be set out in the Queen’s Speech today that marks the opening of parliament. The “lifetime skills guarantee” is part of the government’s plans to help the country recover from the pandemic.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/apple-sued/","uuid":"b59d5291-7dcd-46d4-bb2d-2b335efe9e4d","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"609a3b11fcd600003bbc849d"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6098ec13fcd600003bbc848b","title":"Pubs reopen next week","slug":"pubs-reopen-next-week","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/440.png","excerpt":"Plus: Greggs’ profits back to normal, scam victims to be repaid from criminals’ accounts.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: Greggs’ profits back to normal, scam victims to be repaid from criminals’ accounts.","created_at_pretty":"10 May, 2021","published_at_pretty":"10 May, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"10 May, 2021","created_at":"2021-05-10T08:17:23.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-05-10T08:29:23.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-05-10T08:29:23.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"One week to go\nPubs and restaurants in England are set to reopen fully from next Monday\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57050860] under the next stage of lockdown\neasing, with indoor mixing allowed for groups of up to 6 people. Boris Johnson\nwill confirm the specifics later - and might even say it’s okay to start hugging\nfriends and family again.\n\nGreggs back to normal\nGreggs says its profits for the year will rise to pre-pandemic levels\n[https://www.cityam.com/greggs-predicts-profit-to-bounce-back-to-pre-pandemic-levels-as-restrictions-lift/]\n, as long as there are no further coronavirus restrictions around the corner.\nThe steak bake maker has been rolling in dough in recent weeks, with takeaway\nsales soaring since lockdown lifted.\n\nScam refunds\nScam victims who lose money to fraudsters could be reimbursed using funds from\ncriminals’ bank accounts\n[https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/scam-victims-to-be-repaid-from-frozen-criminal-accounts-as-government-indicates-crackdown-on-fake-online-ads-986675] \nunder new government plans. Thousands of people fell foul to scams in 2020, a\nhuge increase from the year before, with billions finding their way to\nfraudster’s bank accounts.","html":"Pubs and restaurants in England are set to reopen fully from next Monday under the next stage of lockdown easing, with indoor mixing allowed for groups of up to 6 people. Boris Johnson will confirm the specifics later - and might even say it’s okay to start hugging friends and family again.
Greggs says its profits for the year will rise to pre-pandemic levels, as long as there are no further coronavirus restrictions around the corner. The steak bake maker has been rolling in dough in recent weeks, with takeaway sales soaring since lockdown lifted.
Scam victims who lose money to fraudsters could be reimbursed using funds from criminals’ bank accounts under new government plans. Thousands of people fell foul to scams in 2020, a huge increase from the year before, with billions finding their way to fraudster’s bank accounts.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/pubs-reopen-next-week/","uuid":"694eac5d-105a-4ad7-a0c6-a5240d3fdd43","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6098ec13fcd600003bbc848b"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6094f328fcd600003bbc847b","title":"Good times for job hunters","slug":"good-times-for-job-hunters","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/439.png","excerpt":"Plus: holiday costs jump, economy set to surge 7.25% in 2021, plastic bag charge doubles to 10p.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: holiday costs jump, economy set to surge 7.25% in 2021, plastic bag charge doubles to 10p.","created_at_pretty":"07 May, 2021","published_at_pretty":"07 May, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"07 May, 2021","created_at":"2021-05-07T07:58:32.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-05-07T08:06:40.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-05-07T08:06:40.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"Hiring spree\nDemand for staff has surged this month at the fastest rate since the 90s\n[https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-jobs-market-hits-full-throttle-lockdown-eases-kpmgrec-2021-05-07/]\n, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). UK employers\nare on a hiring spree as shops and hospitality reopen after lockdown. Yesterday\nthe Bank of England said unemployment is likely to peak at 5.4% later this year,\nslightly higher than what it is currently.\n\nHoliday costs jump\nThe price of foreign holidays is likely to rise this year\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57016968] due to pent-up demand and a lack\nof flights. Airlines are reluctant to bring planes back into service in case\nthey have to cancel flights again. Confusion over different vaccine and testing\nrules in different countries is also adding to the uncertainty.\n\nOn the rebound\nThe UK is on track for the biggest economic recovery since WW2, according to the\nBank of England. It’s revised its growth estimates for the year, forecasting a \n7.25% surge in GDP\n[https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bank-england-keeps-rates-size-bond-buying-plan-hold-2021-05-06/] \n- in February it was expecting 5%. The economy should be back to its\npre-pandemic size by the third quarter of 2021.\n\n10p plastic bags\nThe charge for single use plastic carrier bags is set to double to 10p [\nhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57014762] in all shops in England from 21st\nMay. Even corner shops will have to charge. Plastic bags have cost 5p since\n2015, and usage has dropped 95%.","html":"Demand for staff has surged this month at the fastest rate since the 90s, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). UK employers are on a hiring spree as shops and hospitality reopen after lockdown. Yesterday the Bank of England said unemployment is likely to peak at 5.4% later this year, slightly higher than what it is currently.
The price of foreign holidays is likely to rise this year due to pent-up demand and a lack of flights. Airlines are reluctant to bring planes back into service in case they have to cancel flights again. Confusion over different vaccine and testing rules in different countries is also adding to the uncertainty.
The UK is on track for the biggest economic recovery since WW2, according to the Bank of England. It’s revised its growth estimates for the year, forecasting a 7.25% surge in GDP - in February it was expecting 5%. The economy should be back to its pre-pandemic size by the third quarter of 2021.
The charge for single use plastic carrier bags is set to double to 10p in all shops in England from 21st May. Even corner shops will have to charge. Plastic bags have cost 5p since 2015, and usage has dropped 95%.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/good-times-for-job-hunters/","uuid":"341f9807-f07c-4ec7-a7f0-19d09ebf0455","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6094f328fcd600003bbc847b"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6093b0acfcd600003bbc846e","title":"Gunboats wade into fishing row","slug":"gunboats-wade-into-fishing-row","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/438.png","excerpt":"Plus: Starship has landed, and 6 million at risk of hacking via WiFi.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: Starship has landed, and 6 million at risk of hacking via WiFi.","created_at_pretty":"06 May, 2021","published_at_pretty":"06 May, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"06 May, 2021","created_at":"2021-05-06T09:02:36.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-05-06T09:10:25.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-05-06T09:10:25.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"Jersey blockade\nTwo Royal Navy ships are patrolling Jersey amid concerns the island could be\nblockaded by French fishing boats. The protest marks the latest escalation in a \npost-Brexit row over fishing rights [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57003069].\nFrench fishers say the new system makes it too difficult to get a licence to\nfish in Jersey’s waters - they’re so unhappy that the French maritime minister\nhas threatened to cut off Jersey’s electricity supply.\n\nThe Starship has landed\nSpaceX’s Starship rocket has safely touched down\n[https://news.sky.com/story/spacexs-starship-finally-completes-successful-test-flight-12298014] \nafter a successful test flight. Getting a spacecraft to take off is easy but\ncoming down again in one piece has proved harder; 4 previous attempts have ended\nin explosions. Starship’s next mission? Fly around the moon in 2023, with paying\ncustomers on board.\n\nHacked via WiFi?\n6 million people could be at risk of being hacked\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56996717] via outdated routers that might\nnot have received essential security updates. Which? says two thirds of the\nrouters it tested had flaws such as weak default passwords which could allow the\ndevice to be hijacked. Virgin, BT and TalkTalk have all said that most customers\nare using up-to-date devices and can update any time.","html":"Two Royal Navy ships are patrolling Jersey amid concerns the island could be blockaded by French fishing boats. The protest marks the latest escalation in a post-Brexit row over fishing rights. French fishers say the new system makes it too difficult to get a licence to fish in Jersey’s waters - they’re so unhappy that the French maritime minister has threatened to cut off Jersey’s electricity supply.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket has safely touched down after a successful test flight. Getting a spacecraft to take off is easy but coming down again in one piece has proved harder; 4 previous attempts have ended in explosions. Starship’s next mission? Fly around the moon in 2023, with paying customers on board.
6 million people could be at risk of being hacked via outdated routers that might not have received essential security updates. Which? says two thirds of the routers it tested had flaws such as weak default passwords which could allow the device to be hijacked. Virgin, BT and TalkTalk have all said that most customers are using up-to-date devices and can update any time.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/gunboats-wade-into-fishing-row/","uuid":"ba49448b-21bf-4c89-a437-01e8dff5f0a6","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6093b0acfcd600003bbc846e"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__60925608fcd600003bbc845c","title":"Ikea’s buying back furniture","slug":"ikeas-buying-back-furniture","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/437.png","excerpt":"Plus: car sales accelerate, campaigners call for low-carbon pensions, and a town’s in trouble over squid statue.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: car sales accelerate, campaigners call for low-carbon pensions, and a town’s in trouble over squid statue.","created_at_pretty":"05 May, 2021","published_at_pretty":"05 May, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"05 May, 2021","created_at":"2021-05-05T08:23:36.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-05-05T08:29:22.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-05-05T08:29:22.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"Furniture buy-back\nGot an old Billy bookcase you’re no longer using? You can now trade it for\nsomething new, under Ikea’s keenly anticipated buy-back scheme. It’s offering \nvouchers of up to 50% [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56981636] of the\noriginal sale price for items in good condition. The recycling initiative will\nre-sell the used furniture in store, to help meet the retailer’s aim to be\n“climate positive” by 2030.\n\nCar sales rev up\nDealerships saw a 30-fold increase in new car sales\n[https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-new-car-sales-recover-april-last-years-lockdown-hit-2021-05-05/] \nin April compared to last year, as they reopened their doors for the first time\nin months. 141,000 vehicles were driven off the forecourt last month - still\ndown 13% on the decade average. \n\nGreen pensions charter\nBusinesses and pension funds have been urged to switch to low-carbon investments\n[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/05/pension-funds-urged-to-help-uk-reach-net-zero-climate-goals] \nahead of the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow this November. Campaigners have\ncalled on companies to sign up to the green pensions charter to make pensions\nnet-zero by 2050. The UK pensions sector accounts for about £2.6 trillion, and\nseveral funds managing around £400 billion of pension savings have already\nsigned up to the charter.\n\nSquid pro quo\nA Japanese seaside town has found itself in hot water\n[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/05/japanese-town-spends-covid-funds-on-huge-squid-statue] \nfor spending emergency coronavirus funding on a giant statue of a squid. The\n13-metre long statue cost ¥25m (£164,000) and is intended to boost tourism to\nthe town, where squid is a seafood delicacy.","html":"Got an old Billy bookcase you’re no longer using? You can now trade it for something new, under Ikea’s keenly anticipated buy-back scheme. It’s offering vouchers of up to 50% of the original sale price for items in good condition. The recycling initiative will re-sell the used furniture in store, to help meet the retailer’s aim to be “climate positive” by 2030.
Dealerships saw a 30-fold increase in new car sales in April compared to last year, as they reopened their doors for the first time in months. 141,000 vehicles were driven off the forecourt last month - still down 13% on the decade average.
Businesses and pension funds have been urged to switch to low-carbon investments ahead of the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow this November. Campaigners have called on companies to sign up to the green pensions charter to make pensions net-zero by 2050. The UK pensions sector accounts for about £2.6 trillion, and several funds managing around £400 billion of pension savings have already signed up to the charter.
A Japanese seaside town has found itself in hot water for spending emergency coronavirus funding on a giant statue of a squid. The 13-metre long statue cost ¥25m (£164,000) and is intended to boost tourism to the town, where squid is a seafood delicacy.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/ikeas-buying-back-furniture/","uuid":"4f29d889-98b1-4614-90be-752bad5da195","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"60925608fcd600003bbc845c"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__60911633fcd600003bbc8447","title":"£1bn deal with India","slug":"1bn-deal-with-india","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/05/436.png","excerpt":"Plus: breathing space for people in problem debt, new holiday rules, and prime property sales jump 80%","custom_excerpt":"Plus: breathing space for people in problem debt, new holiday rules, and prime property sales jump 80%","created_at_pretty":"04 May, 2021","published_at_pretty":"04 May, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"04 May, 2021","created_at":"2021-05-04T09:38:59.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-05-04T09:59:20.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-05-04T09:59:20.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"New trade deal\nA new £1 billion deal between the UK and India will create 6,000 jobs in the\nhealth and tech sectors [about:blank], according to Boris Johnson. The deal was\nannounced today and includes millions in investment, including £240 million from\nIndia’s Serum institute which is currently pumping out coronavirus vaccines.\nThis isn’t a full free trade deal though - talks for that will start in the\nautumn.\n\nBreathing space\nPeople getting advice for problem debt can now apply for a 60-day break\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56945218] from new charges, letters from\nlenders, and other enforcement. The “breathing space” scheme is designed to stop\npeople falling into a vicious cycle of borrowing. It starts today after years of\ncampaigning by debt charities, and could help an estimated 700,000 people in the\nfirst year alone.\n\nThe adviser view: \"This break is designed to let people make a plan for paying\noff their debt. If you are struggling with debt, there are a number of debt\ncharities around who can be a great help\"\n\nHoliday rules\nThe EU has confirmed that vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel to\nEurope from June. The UK could put an end to holiday hopes though, with a \nstrict\ntraffic light system\n[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/03/uk-likely-to-give-green-light-for-travel-to-fewer-than-10-eu-countries] \nwhich will be announced this week. Fewer than 10 countries could get the green\nlight for quarantine-free travel - and some of those might not be classic\nholiday destinations.\n\nThe adviser view: \"If anyone is thinking of a holiday (either at home or\nabroad), you should consider taking out travel insurance. Make sure you\nunderstand what you are and aren’t covered for, especially any Covid-19 related\nclause.\"\n\nPrime property boom\nLondon estate agents say the supercars are back in Knightsbridge. Home sales in\nthe capital’s priciest addresses are up 80% since the end of lockdown\n[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/sales-londons-priciest-properties-spike-80pc-lockdown-ends/]\n*, the highest in the UK, according to Zoopla. The property site says coastal\nand rural areas have also seen big jumps in transaction volumes.\n\n*this article may need a subscription to read","html":"A new £1 billion deal between the UK and India will create 6,000 jobs in the health and tech sectors, according to Boris Johnson. The deal was announced today and includes millions in investment, including £240 million from India’s Serum institute which is currently pumping out coronavirus vaccines. This isn’t a full free trade deal though - talks for that will start in the autumn.
People getting advice for problem debt can now apply for a 60-day break from new charges, letters from lenders, and other enforcement. The “breathing space” scheme is designed to stop people falling into a vicious cycle of borrowing. It starts today after years of campaigning by debt charities, and could help an estimated 700,000 people in the first year alone.
The adviser view: \"This break is designed to let people make a plan for paying off their debt. If you are struggling with debt, there are a number of debt charities around who can be a great help\"
The EU has confirmed that vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel to Europe from June. The UK could put an end to holiday hopes though, with a strict traffic light system which will be announced this week. Fewer than 10 countries could get the green light for quarantine-free travel - and some of those might not be classic holiday destinations.
The adviser view: \"If anyone is thinking of a holiday (either at home or abroad), you should consider taking out travel insurance. Make sure you understand what you are and aren’t covered for, especially any Covid-19 related clause.\"
London estate agents say the supercars are back in Knightsbridge. Home sales in the capital’s priciest addresses are up 80% since the end of lockdown*, the highest in the UK, according to Zoopla. The property site says coastal and rural areas have also seen big jumps in transaction volumes.
*this article may need a subscription to read
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/1bn-deal-with-india/","uuid":"082fa65e-dc1c-41fc-a18a-ca53fbfc34de","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"60911633fcd600003bbc8447"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__608bbca8fcd600003bbc842a","title":"House prices jump","slug":"house-prices-jump","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/435.png","excerpt":"Plus: economy bouncing back, bars and restaurants struggling to recruit staff, Amazon profits triple.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: economy bouncing back, bars and restaurants struggling to recruit staff, Amazon profits triple.","created_at_pretty":"30 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"30 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"30 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-30T08:15:36.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-30T08:31:03.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-30T08:31:03.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.\n\nSteep monthly rise\nHouse prices have jumped 2.1% in April\n[https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/uk-house-prices-record-biggest-monthly-jump-since-2004-2021-04-30/] \ncompared to last month according to Nationwide. That’s the biggest monthly rise\nsince 2004, and puts prices 7.1% higher than they were last April. The lender\nreckons the surge is down to buyers rushing to complete before the end of the\nstamp duty holiday. The threshold for paying the tax drops to £250,000 at the\nend of June, then to £125,000 in September.\n\nBeginning of the boom\nThe economy is building momentum, according to key signs including a surge in\nconsumer spending\n[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/30/uk-economy-builds-momentum-as-covid-restrictions-ease] \nin April. Unemployment has also dropped for the second month in a row. The Bank\nof England is likely to upgrade its predictions next week - it’s expected to\nforecast 7% GDP growth for 2021, 2% more than it said in February.\n\nStaff shortages\nBars and restaurants are struggling to recruit enough staff\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56919575] ahead of reopening fully next\nmonth. They’re expecting huge customer demand, but say they might have to limit\nopening hours. 1 in 10 hospitality workers has left the industry in the past\nyear due to the pandemic and Brexit, either moving into other sectors or leaving\nthe UK altogether.\n\nAmazon profits triple\nStay-at-home habits have driven a surge in sales for Amazon\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56937428], which has reported that its\nprofits have tripled. From grocery sales to streaming, the tech giant has been\nwell placed during the pandemic and it expects the boom to continue. Apple,\nMicrosoft, Facebook and Alphabet have all reported strong sales this week.","html":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.
House prices have jumped 2.1% in April compared to last month according to Nationwide. That’s the biggest monthly rise since 2004, and puts prices 7.1% higher than they were last April. The lender reckons the surge is down to buyers rushing to complete before the end of the stamp duty holiday. The threshold for paying the tax drops to £250,000 at the end of June, then to £125,000 in September.
![](\"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/image-14.png\")
The economy is building momentum, according to key signs including a surge in consumer spending in April. Unemployment has also dropped for the second month in a row. The Bank of England is likely to upgrade its predictions next week - it’s expected to forecast 7% GDP growth for 2021, 2% more than it said in February.
Bars and restaurants are struggling to recruit enough staff ahead of reopening fully next month. They’re expecting huge customer demand, but say they might have to limit opening hours. 1 in 10 hospitality workers has left the industry in the past year due to the pandemic and Brexit, either moving into other sectors or leaving the UK altogether.
Stay-at-home habits have driven a surge in sales for Amazon, which has reported that its profits have tripled. From grocery sales to streaming, the tech giant has been well placed during the pandemic and it expects the boom to continue. Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Alphabet have all reported strong sales this week.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/house-prices-jump/","uuid":"c2c95e96-4c91-4af9-82db-8606d786b3a3","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"608bbca8fcd600003bbc842a"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__608a78c9fcd600003bbc83e1","title":"Cash for curtains","slug":"cash-for-curtains","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/434.png","excerpt":"Plus: Uber on recruitment drive, pandemic “help seekers” suffer mental health dip, Biden marks first 100 days.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: Uber on recruitment drive, pandemic “help seekers” suffer mental health dip, Biden marks first 100 days.","created_at_pretty":"29 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"29 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"29 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-29T09:13:45.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-29T09:16:25.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-29T09:16:25.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need.\n\nJohn Lewis nightmare\nBoris Johnson’s £85,000 refurbishment of his Downing Street residence is now \nunder investigation\n[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uks-johnson-faces-formal-probe-over-funding-apartment-renovation-2021-04-28/] \nby the Electoral Commission. It says there are grounds to suspect an offence has\nbeen committed. The prime ministers opponents accuse him of letting Tory part\ndonors contribute tens of thousands in secret to pay for the luxury refurb -\nwhich is against the rules.\n\nRecruitment drive\nUber is aiming to sign up 20,000 new drivers\n[https://www.reuters.com/technology/uber-sign-up-20000-more-uk-drivers-covid-rules-ease-2021-04-28/] \nin the UK to keep up with rising demand. The ride hailing app has seen a 50%\njump in trips since pubs and restaurants reopened for outdoor service on 12th\nApril. Tempted? Remember, Uber drivers now get workers’ rights including minimum\nwage, holiday pay and sick pay after the company lost a Supreme Court case last\nmonth.\n\nMental health\nPeople who have become newly reliant on universal credit and self-employment\ngrants during the pandemic have suffered the biggest rise in mental illness\n[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/28/sharp-rise-in-mental-illness-among-those-whose-income-fell-away-during-covid]\n. That’s according to a major new survey, which found 42% of “help seekers” are\nstruggling with poor mental health. Other groups, including “multi-strugglers”\nwho have multiple financial difficulties, also reported a variety of mental\nhealth conditions.\n\n100 days of Biden\nUS President Joe Biden has marked his first 100 days in office with a speech to\nCongress promoting an $1.8 trillion (£1.3tn) spending package\n[https://news.sky.com/story/biden-vows-america-is-on-the-move-as-he-promises-to-turn-peril-into-possibility-12289893]\n. The plan includes funding for childcare and payments to parents and would give\nfree access to preschool and community college. Biden also hailed the country’s\nvaccination programme, which has delivered over 220 million jabs so far.","html":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need.
Boris Johnson’s £85,000 refurbishment of his Downing Street residence is now under investigation by the Electoral Commission. It says there are grounds to suspect an offence has been committed. The prime ministers opponents accuse him of letting Tory part donors contribute tens of thousands in secret to pay for the luxury refurb - which is against the rules.
Uber is aiming to sign up 20,000 new drivers in the UK to keep up with rising demand. The ride hailing app has seen a 50% jump in trips since pubs and restaurants reopened for outdoor service on 12th April. Tempted? Remember, Uber drivers now get workers’ rights including minimum wage, holiday pay and sick pay after the company lost a Supreme Court case last month.
People who have become newly reliant on universal credit and self-employment grants during the pandemic have suffered the biggest rise in mental illness. That’s according to a major new survey, which found 42% of “help seekers” are struggling with poor mental health. Other groups, including “multi-strugglers” who have multiple financial difficulties, also reported a variety of mental health conditions.
US President Joe Biden has marked his first 100 days in office with a speech to Congress promoting an $1.8 trillion (£1.3tn) spending package. The plan includes funding for childcare and payments to parents and would give free access to preschool and community college. Biden also hailed the country’s vaccination programme, which has delivered over 220 million jabs so far.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/cash-for-curtains/","uuid":"8e8e3e78-7e44-4fe8-9094-63cd2c90ba1e","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"608a78c9fcd600003bbc83e1"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6089201bfcd600003bbc83cb","title":"Self-driving cars get go-ahead","slug":"self-driving-cars-get-go-ahead","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/433-1.png","excerpt":"Plus: Home sales double, rents increase, and 80% of Amazon drivers forced to drive dangerously.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: Home sales double, rents increase, and 80% of Amazon drivers forced to drive dangerously.","created_at_pretty":"28 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"28 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"28 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-28T08:43:07.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-28T08:45:32.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-28T08:45:32.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.\n\nGreen light\nMotorists can allow cars to drive themselves\n[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/28/self-driving-cars-could-get-green-light-for-use-on-uk-motorways-this-year] \nfrom later this year, as long as they’re on a motorway and going less than\n37mph. The government says drivers with “Alks” tech can go hands-free, letting\nthe car keep itself in lane and a safe distance from other vehicles. Insurers\naren’t sure though - they say more work is needed to make self-driving cars\nsafe, and it’s confusing to call them “automated” as the driver might need to\ntake the wheel at any time.\n\nHome sales double\n£149 billion worth of homes have been bought so far this year\n[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/buy/property-sales-doubled-first-three-months-2021/]\n†, double the figure over the same period in 2019 and 2020. It seems to be\ndriven by demand, with buyer numbers higher than ever but fewer properties on\nthe market. Zoopla reckons 1 in 50 homes has changed hands over the past year,\ncompared to 1 in 100 in the 12 months before that.\n\nRents hikes\nRental prices are at their highest since 2015\n[https://www.cityam.com/london-only-uk-region-to-report-drop-in-rent-prices-over-last-five-years/]\n, averaging £982 per month outside London. Supply and demand is the culprit here\ntoo, with a big drop in available properties since before the pandemic. It’s a\ndifferent story in the capital though - central London rents are down 6.5%\ncompared to 5 years ago.\n\n\nAmazon drivers speak out\nMPs are under pressure to do more to protect Amazon workers, after a survey\nfound 4 in 5 drivers have been pushed to drive dangerously\n[https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/ministers-must-act-as-more-than-80-of-amazon-drivers-say-theyre-pushed-to-drive-dangerously-without-breaks-975650]\n, including by speeding, to meet their delivery targets. 90% have had to wee in\na bottle during shifts and 86% they don’t have time to wash or sanitise their\nhands between deliveries.","html":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.
Motorists can allow cars to drive themselves from later this year, as long as they’re on a motorway and going less than 37mph. The government says drivers with “Alks” tech can go hands-free, letting the car keep itself in lane and a safe distance from other vehicles. Insurers aren’t sure though - they say more work is needed to make self-driving cars safe, and it’s confusing to call them “automated” as the driver might need to take the wheel at any time.
£149 billion worth of homes have been bought so far this year†, double the figure over the same period in 2019 and 2020. It seems to be driven by demand, with buyer numbers higher than ever but fewer properties on the market. Zoopla reckons 1 in 50 homes has changed hands over the past year, compared to 1 in 100 in the 12 months before that.
![](\"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/image-13.png\")
Rental prices are at their highest since 2015, averaging £982 per month outside London. Supply and demand is the culprit here too, with a big drop in available properties since before the pandemic. It’s a different story in the capital though - central London rents are down 6.5% compared to 5 years ago.
MPs are under pressure to do more to protect Amazon workers, after a survey found 4 in 5 drivers have been pushed to drive dangerously, including by speeding, to meet their delivery targets. 90% have had to wee in a bottle during shifts and 86% they don’t have time to wash or sanitise their hands between deliveries.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/self-driving-cars-get-go-ahead/","uuid":"de072cce-8253-4a4b-ae19-5893869d3e23","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6089201bfcd600003bbc83cb"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6087c354fcd600003bbc83b1","title":"Lockdown fines unfair?","slug":"lockdown-fines-unfair","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/433.png","excerpt":"Plus: mafia trial brings money laundering charges, Tesla breaks its record, book sales soared in 2020.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: mafia trial brings money laundering charges, Tesla breaks its record, book sales soared in 2020.","created_at_pretty":"27 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"27 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"27 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-27T07:55:00.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-27T07:56:29.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-27T07:56:29.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.\n\nReview fines\nAll fines handed out for breaking lockdown rules should be reviewed\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56890540], according to a committee of MPs. More\nthan 93,000 fines of up to £10,000 have been handed out across England and Wales\nsince the pandemic began. But the committee says the system is confusing and\nunfair, and that unclear rules mean many people could have been fined wrongly.\n\nMafia trial\nDefendants in Italy’s largest mafia trial for decades will be questioned over\ncharges of laundering billions of euros in the City of London\n[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/27/uk-to-come-under-scrutiny-in-italys-largest-mafia-trial-in-decades]\n. Members of ‘Ndrangheta allegedly set up UK companies to launder money. The\ncriminal organisation is one of the richest and more feared in the world, with\nan estimated £44 billion annual turnover - more than Deutsche Bank and McDonalds\ncombined.\n\nMusk profits soar\nTesla sold 185,000 cars in the first 3 months of 2021\n[https://news.sky.com/story/teslas-performance-leaves-musk-eligible-for-options-payouts-worth-11bn-12288129]\n, nearly twice as many as last year. It’s a new record for the electric car\nmaker, and netted a £315 million profit for the quarter. The result entitles\nElon Musk to options payouts worth £7.9 billion. \n\nBookworm boom\nSales of fiction books soared 16% in 2020\n[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/apr/27/uk-book-sales-soared-in-2020-despite-pandemic] \nand audiobook sales climbed by nearly a third, as locked down readers turned to\npages for pandemic escapism. It was a tricky time for authors though - shops\nwere shut for large parts of the year, and school visits, literary festivals and\npromotional events were cancelled.","html":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.
All fines handed out for breaking lockdown rules should be reviewed, according to a committee of MPs. More than 93,000 fines of up to £10,000 have been handed out across England and Wales since the pandemic began. But the committee says the system is confusing and unfair, and that unclear rules mean many people could have been fined wrongly.
Defendants in Italy’s largest mafia trial for decades will be questioned over charges of laundering billions of euros in the City of London. Members of ‘Ndrangheta allegedly set up UK companies to launder money. The criminal organisation is one of the richest and more feared in the world, with an estimated £44 billion annual turnover - more than Deutsche Bank and McDonalds combined.
Tesla sold 185,000 cars in the first 3 months of 2021, nearly twice as many as last year. It’s a new record for the electric car maker, and netted a £315 million profit for the quarter. The result entitles Elon Musk to options payouts worth £7.9 billion.
Sales of fiction books soared 16% in 2020 and audiobook sales climbed by nearly a third, as locked down readers turned to pages for pandemic escapism. It was a tricky time for authors though - shops were shut for large parts of the year, and school visits, literary festivals and promotional events were cancelled.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/lockdown-fines-unfair/","uuid":"f0e2e35f-0f23-4443-89f2-21c2909abdeb","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6087c354fcd600003bbc83b1"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__6086862dfcd600003bbc8399","title":"UK economy outpacing US?","slug":"uk-economy-outpacing-us","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/431.png","excerpt":"Plus: over-50s hit hard by job losses, calls to scrap shared parental leave.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: over-50s hit hard by job losses, calls to scrap shared parental leave.","created_at_pretty":"26 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"26 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"26 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-26T09:21:49.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-26T09:25:31.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-26T09:25:31.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.\n\nGrowth to race ahead?\nThe UK is on track for speedy economic growth this year, and seems set to grow\nfaster than the US economy\n[https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-economy-set-grow-faster-than-us-this-year-goldman-2021-04-25/] \naccording to Goldman Sachs. The bank predicts GDP will grow by 7.8% in 2021,\ndriven by Britain’s rebound from the coronavirus crisis. As the vaccine rollout\ncontinues and businesses begin to reopen, the pace of the recovery seems to be\naccelerating.\n\nOlder workers losing jobs\nThe past year has seen the biggest drop in employment among over-50s\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56862888] since the 1980s, according to a\nreport by the Resolution Foundation. As a group, older workers have been hit\nsecond hardest by job losses, after under-25s, and take longer to return to\nwork. The think tank is calling for specific retraining opportunities for\nover-50s.\n\nScrap shared parental leave?\nCampaigners are calling for shared parental leave (SPL) to be replaced\n[https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/apr/26/shared-parental-leave-scrap-deeply-flawed-policy-say-campaigners] \nby a “use it or lose it” policy for both mothers and fathers. Campaign groups,\ntrade unions, and economists say the current set up, which was introduced 6\nyears ago, is “deeply flawed” and that many dads can’t afford to take time off.","html":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.
The UK is on track for speedy economic growth this year, and seems set to grow faster than the US economy according to Goldman Sachs. The bank predicts GDP will grow by 7.8% in 2021, driven by Britain’s rebound from the coronavirus crisis. As the vaccine rollout continues and businesses begin to reopen, the pace of the recovery seems to be accelerating.
The past year has seen the biggest drop in employment among over-50s since the 1980s, according to a report by the Resolution Foundation. As a group, older workers have been hit second hardest by job losses, after under-25s, and take longer to return to work. The think tank is calling for specific retraining opportunities for over-50s.
Campaigners are calling for shared parental leave (SPL) to be replaced by a “use it or lose it” policy for both mothers and fathers. Campaign groups, trade unions, and economists say the current set up, which was introduced 6 years ago, is “deeply flawed” and that many dads can’t afford to take time off.
","url":"https://multiply.ghost.io/uk-economy-outpacing-us/","uuid":"70b3312f-248e-4463-bc7e-df9db97d610e","page":null,"codeinjection_foot":null,"codeinjection_head":null,"codeinjection_styles":null,"comment_id":"6086862dfcd600003bbc8399"}},{"node":{"id":"Ghost__Post__608285eefcd600003bbc8382","title":"Record peacetime borrowing","slug":"record-peacetime-borrowing","featured":false,"feature_image":"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/430.png","excerpt":"Plus: March shopping spree, coronavirus passports for foreign travel.","custom_excerpt":"Plus: March shopping spree, coronavirus passports for foreign travel.","created_at_pretty":"23 April, 2021","published_at_pretty":"23 April, 2021","updated_at_pretty":"23 April, 2021","created_at":"2021-04-23T08:31:42.000+00:00","published_at":"2021-04-23T08:34:47.000+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-23T08:34:47.000+00:00","meta_title":null,"meta_description":null,"og_description":null,"og_image":null,"og_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"twitter_image":null,"twitter_title":null,"authors":[{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null}],"primary_author":{"name":"Annie Mellor","slug":"annie","bio":null,"profile_image":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"website":null},"primary_tag":null,"tags":[{"name":"#blog","slug":"hash-blog","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"#feed","slug":"hash-feed","description":null,"feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"internal"},{"name":"multiply-minute","slug":"multiply-minute","description":"The 1-minute read to get the money news you need with expert adviser commentary","feature_image":null,"meta_description":null,"meta_title":null,"visibility":"public"}],"plaintext":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.\n\nBorrowing hits new high\nThe government borrowed £303.1bn in the year to March\n[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56856195], according to the Office for\nNational Statistics. That’s the highest since the Second World War. It has\nneeded to borrow to support the economy through the coronavirus crisis and make\nup for lower tax incomes caused by the recession. The director of the Institute\nfor Fiscal Studies says the debt figures are actually lower than expected.\n\nShopping spree\nBrits went on a spending spree ahead of lockdown restrictions easing - retail\nsales rocketed 5.4% in March\n[https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/uk-retail-sales-jump-54-march-far-more-than-expected-2021-04-23/]\n. Economists had expected a rise of just 1.5%. Clothes shops did particularly\nwell, as shoppers rushed out to refresh their wardrobes ahead of pubs and\nrestaurants reopening. The extra activity was mainly online, as non-essential\nshops didn’t open their physical doors until 12th April.\n\nCoronavirus passports\nPeople in England could have access to coronavirus passports by 17th May\n[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/22/people-in-england-could-get-covid-passports-for-foreign-travel-by-17-may] \nto allow them to take a holiday abroad without needing to quarantine. The\npassports would prove if you’ve had a coronavirus vaccine. They’re different to\nthe domestic certificates which we might need to show to get into pubs and\nrestaurants - that’s a separate scheme.\n\ni","html":"The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.
The government borrowed £303.1bn in the year to March, according to the Office for National Statistics. That’s the highest since the Second World War. It has needed to borrow to support the economy through the coronavirus crisis and make up for lower tax incomes caused by the recession. The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies says the debt figures are actually lower than expected.
Brits went on a spending spree ahead of lockdown restrictions easing - retail sales rocketed 5.4% in March. Economists had expected a rise of just 1.5%. Clothes shops did particularly well, as shoppers rushed out to refresh their wardrobes ahead of pubs and restaurants reopening. The extra activity was mainly online, as non-essential shops didn’t open their physical doors until 12th April.
People in England could have access to coronavirus passports by 17th May to allow them to take a holiday abroad without needing to quarantine. The passports would prove if you’ve had a coronavirus vaccine. They’re different to the domestic certificates which we might need to show to get into pubs and restaurants - that’s a separate scheme.
![](\"https://multiply.ghost.io/content/images/2021/04/image-12.png\")