Rents across England and Wales stalled in June for the first time in at least six years as more people decided to buy their own homes, a lettings network says.
Household energy bills will be £240 higher each year by 2020 largely due to the mounting cost of Government green policies, energy giant Npower claims.
Inflation rose last month as rising petrol prices and less generous discounts from fashion retailers intensified pressure on households, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has said.
House prices rose at their fastest rate for almost three years in June, as Government stimulus schemes improved confidence in the market and a property shortage fuelled rising prices.
Superfast broadband customers will be offered cheaper and shorter deals and be able to switch more easily between providers under plans to open up BT's fibre cable network to more competition.
Letting agents' fees are now "truly out of control" and tenants are having to go without food or turn off heating to cover their costs, a housing and homelessness charity has warned.
Britain's big six energy companies will face fines unless they open up the electricity market to competition from independent rivals, under proposals by Ofgem.
