Prompted by Saturday's 'March of the Mummies' protests, the challenge of costly childcare caught the eye of various money sections this weekend, writes Headlinemoney's Claire Beard. Elsewhere, there were warnings for savers not to put financial decisions on hold, even amid current economic and political uncertainty, plus analysis of the Help to Buy scheme.

Financial Times

European consumers cut back on discretionary spending
Shoppers are postponing big purchases and reducing leisure outlays as the cost of living crisis bites, reports Valentina Romei.

Octopus Energy buys failed rival Bulb
David Sheppard and George Parker cover the bailout of Bulb, which is expected to be the most expensive since the rescue of RBS during the 2008 financial crisis.

Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph

Why the Help to Buy experiment has ended in tears
Help to Buy was meant to help a generation onto the ladder, writes Melissa Lawford, but now its beneficiaries are being hit from all sides.

How to invest when the dollar is king
Political turmoil has recently shone a spotlight on the influence currencies have on investment performance – and there is one that has a bigger impact than any other, writes Charlotte Gifford.

The Guardian

UK supermarket loyalty schemes: which offer the best deals?
As the cost of living crisis pushes more households to cut shopping budgets, Jess Clark assesses stores’ offers.

Broadband social tariffs can save you up to £200 a year
Few of those eligible for deals aimed at people on benefits use them, writes Laura Whateley, as they are not well publicised.

The Times

Buy-to-let: is it time for landlords to sell up and move on?
Spiralling mortgage rates and stricter rules have made it difficult to make a profit, explains Holly Thomas.

There’s one rule for your money: don’t do nothing
Political and economic uncertainty are making it hard to plan, but people still need to make the right choices for their finances, warns Ali Hussain.

The Observer

Sadiq Khan calls for rent freeze as rough sleeping rises by a fifth in London
Michael Savage covers demands from the Mayor for government action including an end to benefit cap and more resources for councils as the cost of living crisis bites.

‘Underpaid, undervalued’: March of the Mummies protests take place across UK
Thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday for the March of the Mummies, reports Geneva Abdul, protesting against a childcare structure that many say is setting parents, children and society up for failure.

Mail on Sunday

With triple lock relief in the last chance saloon... Is Rishi Sunak primed to kill off key pension tax breaks for a fistful of dollars?
Jeff Prestridge covers the speculation over what further measures the new Sunak government will take to put Britain's finances back on an even keel. 

Bank of England set to hike rates in blow for mortgages: Biggest interest increase for 30 years on cards
The Bank of England is set to implement the biggest interest rate rise for 30 years this week in a new blow to millions of borrowers, writes Hugo Duncan.

i

How to make the most of your money as a first-time buyer, from lifetime Isas to deposit schemes
Despite recent economic uncertainty, there are ways first time buyers can save for a property, writes Grace Gausden.

‘We can’t exist like this’: Thousands join March of the Mummies to demand childcare reforms
Mothers are using food banks and are effectively working for no money because childcare in the UK is so expensive, explains Aasma Day.

The Sun

Say Watt: How the clocks going back tonight adds £400 to energy bills
Alice Grahns covers research suggesting the yearly routine of changing the clocks costs households up to £438 on their energy bills.

Helping Hand: Struggling families could be given cash boost to help pay rent amid cost of living crisis, Gove hints
Jemma Carr and Olivia Marshall report on hints from Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove that "targeted support" is on the table for Brits struggling to afford to pay their private landlord.

The Mirror

All the cost of living payments arriving from the Government before Christmas
Zahra Khaliq covers all the cost of living help readers will get from the Government this side of Christmas, as rising bills continue to squeeze household budgets and pile pressure on Brits.

Four ways you could be missing out on extra money and cheaper bills this winter
Consumer rights Martyn James rounds up all the ways readers could boost their money this winter, as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household finances.

The Express

How dare Rishi Sunak play games with the triple lock as pensioners struggle to survive
Harvey Jones warns pensioners now face an anxious three-week wait to see whether the government will grant them a 10.1 percent pay rise next April.

The simple steps to follow to get you the full £159 refund on your TV licence fee
Britons are trying to save money wherever they can as the high inflation and rising energy bills and one way people can save a little extra is through a straightforward refund on their TV licence, explains Ruby Flanagan.

31 October 2022