Record-breaking home sales

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.

Housing market breaks record

The number of homes bought and sold in the UK hit a new high between mid-July and mid-August. Rightmove reported the new record and says it’s 20% higher than the previous figure, based on agreed home sales in the last 10 years. We’re seeing the release of pent-up demand following lockdown, helped along by the stamp duty cut.

Second self-employed grant

Claims are now open for the second round of the self-employment income support scheme. Anyone who usually earns more than half their income from self-employment can apply for the government grant of up to £6,570.

Ethical investing?

“Sustainable” investment funds have been criticised for holding large shares in US tech giants. The top 10 sustainable funds in the US have 17% of investments in Faang stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google), which are under fire for issues such as data privacy and unfair labour practices.

A-levels below average

The A-level grades awarded to sixth form students this year are below the average for the last 3 years, according to new analysis by the Sixth Form Colleges Association. This year’s system used an algorithm to determine students’ results, and almost 40% of grades awarded were lower than teachers' predictions.

Spreading in ‘Spoons?

Cheap pints may come with added risk this summer. Wetherspoon pubs have been criticised for not social distancing, and failing to get customers’ details for track and trace. Health experts are worried that pubs are a breeding ground for the next surge in coronavirus. The pub chain insists it’s making “strenuous efforts” to comply with regulations.