Today in Money: rumours of a particular change in the upcoming budget has landlords taking action – and could impact the buy-to-let market. And we explore whether there really is a best time of the day to buy fuel.
Friday 10 October 2025 15:59, UK
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On the same theme as our last post (saving drivers money), did you know that a very simple mistake could be leaving a dent in your bank balance…
Research by What Car? suggests motorists may be forking out an extra £150 each year if their tyres are under-inflated by just one bar (14.5psi).
The car-buying website conducted lab tests of three identical sets of tyres, each inflated to a different level.
For each test, all four tyres were at the same pressure level and fitted to an Audi A3 running on a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
What Car? calculated the under-inflated tyres would cost an extra £1.50 worth of petrol for every 100 miles.
That can be scaled up to an annual mileage of 10,000, amounting to an extra £150 spent on fuel.
As well as the financial cost, experts say there are safety implications to driving with too little air in a tyre.
Further reading
You can read our complete guides to car finance, buying a second-hand car and what you can do if you buy a dud here…
It’s often said drivers should avoid getting fuel at lunchtime or 5pm – as high demand leads to higher prices – and instead aim for early mornings or late evenings.
Another suggestion is that fuel is cheaper at night because it’s colder and fuel expands in cooler conditions.
But do these claims stand up?
“There’s not really any good evidence that shows it’s cheaper to refuel at night,” the RAC told us.
First, any temperature difference would have a negligible impact on your wallet; and second, timing your visit around fuel delivery times rather than quiet periods is more likely to affect price.
“Changes in the price of fuel at a forecourt will happen after there has been a delivery of fuel that is cheaper or more expensive than the stock in the tank,” Luke Bosdet, fuel price spokesman at the AA, said.
But deliveries don’t just happen in the evening.
If you do want to time filling up to save cash, price updates provided to the competition watchdog’s transparency scheme have to be made by 12pm each day, so it may be better to wait until then to get a full picture of prices near you.
There are plenty of websites and apps that list prices at your local petrol stations – we looked at petrolprices.com on Thursday, using a postcode in Enfield for illustrative purposes, and found a 7p difference for a litre of unleaded between different local stations.
Four furniture retailers have been criticised for using “sneaky” pricing tactics that in some cases have caused shoppers to spend more money.
Very, Furniture Village, 247 Blinds and Blinds Direct were flagged by Which? after an investigation found examples of “potentially misleading” was/now sale labels.
The labels are used by retailers to help customers compare the discounted price with the previous price of the product to see how much they are saving.
But Which? found the shops were displaying products with a “was” price that hadn’t been used for several weeks, leading people to believe they were getting better savings.
Here’s a look at some of the deals uncovered…
Very
Up to 75% of sale items at the online-only retailer were found to have inflated “was” prices.
In May, it put its Rubberwood dining set on sale with a “was” price of £349 and a “now” price of £299, which would make shoppers believe they were saving £50.
But, the set hadn’t been sold at £349 since 3 March, and was available for just £199 two weeks before the sale was launched.
Furniture Village
Around 32% of sales products were found to have similar intervening prices.
In February, its Dolce dining set was labelled “Was £2,349, Now £1,795”.
However, between 8 January and 2 February, the set was sold at £2,095 – £254 less than the advertised “was” price.
While shoppers might have thought they were saving £554 on the product, they were saving just £300 compared to the previous month, Which? found.
247 Blinds
A huge 99% of sale items here had one or more intervening prices, according to Which?
The price of their Prairie Horses blind was changed five times between December and February – all with the same “was price”.
On 2 February, this blind was labelled “Was £105.66, Now £103.88” – but it hadn’t been sold at this higher price since the beginning of December, and had recently been sold at just £79.25.
Blinds Direct
Blinds Direct labels its sales differently to other retailers.
It labels products with a reference price with a strike through, and a percentage-off discount.
Which? found that 60% of sale items used “struck through reference prices” for longer than they were actually sold at those prices.
Between September 2024 and April 2025, the Whiston blind at Blinds Direct was sold at £122.31 for less than two months in total.
However, also during that period, it was on sale with £122.31 shown as a struck through price for a total of almost five months.
“We’re concerned these examples could make shoppers think they are getting a better deal than they are,” Which? said.
“We’ve shared our results with the Competition and Markets Authority and we’re calling on businesses to change their practices to put a stop to dodgy pricing.”
What does the CMA say?
CMA guidance states that for a price comparison to be genuine, the “was” price must be the one offered immediately before the discount begins.
This guidance is targeted at online mattress sellers, but the CMA says it will also be taken into account when it considers enforcement action in other sectors.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute also says that it may not consider price comparisons to be genuine if the “was” price is not the most recent price at which the product was sold.
What did the companies say?
Very said its teams work hard to keep prices up to date.
“Prices for many items can fluctuate based on market trends, such as the launch of major promotions or new models. We are continually exploring new ways to enhance our pricing and promotional practices to ensure customers can shop with confidence,” it added.
Furniture Village said it was committed to “fair and transparent pricing” and works in “close alignment with our Primary Authority to ensure our pricing practices are compliant and not misleading”.
“The Dolce dining set example cited by Which? does not reflect our standard pricing approach as the product was discontinued in June 2025 and marked down in line with our usual clearance process as we sold through remaining overstocks,” it added.
Blinds Direct said it was committed to ensuring its pricing was “clear, fair and transparent”.
“We thank Which? for informing us of their upcoming article referencing pricing on [the Whiston blind], where a percentage discount promotion applied only to orders over £49. While this promotion is intended to provide additional value for our customers, we recognise that this example highlights an area that could be improved. We will investigate this promptly and make any changes necessary,” it added.
247 Blinds didn’t provide a comment to Which? or the Money blog.
As referenced in our Mortgage Guide this morning, rumours have been circulating about the changes the chancellor will have to make in her 26 November budget to raise revenues and balance the books.
Analysts believe that it’s highly likely some taxes will be increased to fill a budget shortfall.
Despite the government promising not to raise taxes paid by working people, an economic thinktank has told Rachel Reeves that putting up income tax would have the “least damaging effect” on the economy.
An increase in income tax might hurt consumer spending and reduce incentives to work, but because it is paid by so many people, only a 1 percentage point hike would be needed, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said.
An equivalent increase in VAT would have the worst impact on the economy in the short term, hitting personal disposable income by nearly 3% and reducing GDP by almost 1% in the first year, it added.
It would also push up inflation more than the other levers because of the impact it would have on prices in shops.
Raising corporation tax – which is charged on the profits made by businesses – would have a smaller short-term impact but drag on the economy in the long run by reducing investment, it said.
The scenarios in NIESR’s analysis are based on the assumption that the government aims to raise total net annual revenue by £30bn by 2029-30.
This is how much Reeves needs to raise to fill an estimated black hole in the public finances.
Ed Cornforth, NIESR economist and main author of the analysis, said: “Our analysis clearly shows that a rise in income tax is the chancellor’s least damaging, most reliable option for putting the economy on a sustainable, secure footing.
“Although it is politically unsavoury, avoiding raising income tax will force the Chancellor’s hand into worse options – tinkering around the edges simply won’t shift the dial.”
Here, our economics and data editor Ed Conway explains why Reeves is in no position to calm budget nerves…
A major survey has shed some light on the best places to buy second-hand tech.
Which? – who we’ve teamed up with to tell you some do’s and don’ts later in this post – asked 2,495 people to share their experiences of buying preloved smartphones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches from 18 shops.
Here are the scores based on customer service, product range and availability, product quality, accuracy of descriptions, communicating, delivery, amount of original packaging, ease of website and value for money…
“We were pleasantly surprised by the results – 10 retailers received a customer score of 80% or more,” said Which.
For an idea of how much you could save, Which? offered these examples…
Which? tech expert Andrew Laughlin told the Money blog: “Not only is buying second-hand tech better for the planet, it can also be substantially better for your wallet with hundreds of pounds to be saved compared to buying new.
“It’s important to go into it with eyes wide open. Buying from a reputable source, checking how long software updates will last and choosing a refurbished device with at least 80% battery health will ensure you’re not left disappointed.”
We’ve teamed up with Which? to bring you these essential do’s and don’ts…
Do – Check software update support periods
One of the most important things to consider when buying a second-hand or refurbished phone is how long the device will be supported with security updates. Apple iPhones tend to receive security updates from the manufacturer for at least five or six years from the phone’s launch. For Android phones, this can vary from two to eight years.
Once a phone stops receiving crucial security updates, it’ll be more vulnerable to attacks from data-grabbing hackers.
Do – Wait until after new product launches
There’s usually an influx of last-generation products to second-hand retailers shortly after a new launch, as people sell old devices to raise money for the new model.
Do – Buy from Reputable Sellers
Stick to trusted sources and avoid random sellers or unverified marketplaces.
Do – Check the returns policy
You have 14 days to notify the store that you want to return an item, and a further 14 days to actually return it. But for peace of mind, it’s worth checking if there is an extended returns period, and what the shop’s faulty goods policy is.
Don’t – Buy a device with less than 80% battery health
Batteries degrade over time; ideally, refurbished devices should have a new or certified battery with at least 80-90% health.
Don’t – Ignore the grading system
Every second-hand device has had a different first life, which means you’re not guaranteed a specific level of performance. Refurbished items are often labelled Grade A, B or C (or similar):
Don’t – Confuse “refurbished” with second-hand
Refurbished phones, usually sold by manufacturers or retailers, often come with warranties and have been professionally repaired or inspected, while second-hand phones are typically sold by previous owners and may not include warranties.
Refurbished phones should look ‘as new’ or be graded by quality, so you know what condition the phone will be in before you buy.
The price of a refurbished phone is often higher than a second-hand one, because the phone will (in theory) have been checked over by professionals to ensure it’s in top working order and in good physical condition. You should also get a guarantee or warranty of some sort, as refurbished phones are usually sold by a professional retailer.
Don’t – Assume accessories are included
Refurbished products may not include original accessories or packaging. Verify whether a charger, cable, or stylus is included.
Don’t – Forget to perform thorough checks
Carry out these checks in the shop, or as soon as you get your hands on your second-hand device, to make sure it’s working as it should and matches what you expected based on the grading and description.
Second-hand devices usually come with a warranty of 12-24 months, which should cover technical faults. If anything on your tech isn’t working as it should, contact the retailer for a replacement, repair or refund.
Don’t – Assume you’ll be insured
If you’ve taken out dedicated insurance cover for gadgets, check the T&Cs carefully, some gadget policies won’t cover refurbished phones.
By James Sillars, business and economics reporter
A week that began with record highs for the FTSE 100 is petering out with a bit of profit taking.
Investor cash has left the table amid all the talk of AI valuation bubbles and moves towards safe havens.
Analysts are split on whether a stock market correction is looming – that’s when a stock market or index falls by 10% or more from its most recent peak.
Some see the looming earnings season in the US as crucial for determining the path ahead.
The darling for investors, Nvidia, for example, is tipped to report around $54bn for its last quarter, when China is excluded.
Any signs of a miss or weakening of future guidance could be a tipping point for risk sentiment.
Gold tends to rise when the nerves are jangling.
It’s come off record highs and is now trading just below the $4,000 per ounce level seen at the start of the week after powering upwards over the course of the year.
The FTSE is 0.1% lower at 9,501, with the easing in spot gold prices hurting the precious metal miners a little. It remains, however, up by more than 1.5% over the month to date.
The focus is now firmly on next week and, to a great extent, Donald Trump.
Will his Gaza ceasefire plan hold? Will the US government shutdown come to an end?
They’re just two of the big questions facing investors, we’re told, as uncertainties dominate the agenda.
Every Friday, we take an overview of the mortgage market with industry experts and round up the best rates with Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.
Concerns over the upcoming budget has buyers, sellers and landlords acting more cautiously when it comes to making moves in the property market, experts have told the Money blog.
For landlords, the concern is a rumour that the chancellor could levy national insurance contributions on pre-mortgage profits.
At the moment, money made through rent is not considered “earned” income like salary or self-employment earnings, meaning it is exempt from NICs.
But if this were to change, landlords would have to pay much more in tax.
In anticipation of the rumoured change, some landlords have set up limited companies for their buy-to-let portfolio to reduce their tax bill, according to Moneyfacts.
Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, says: “Unlike other reforms that gradually hit landlords, this could become a significant move to lead more landlords into setting up a limited company for their buy-to-let property portfolio.
“This has been a growing trend over recent years due to reductions in mortgage interest tax relief, which was gradually phased out between 2017 and April 2020.”
The potential move has been reflected in a boost in the number of buy-to-let mortgages available to limited companies.
There are now 776 two-year and 954 five-year fixed options available to landlords, a combined total of 1,730 options – up from 841 in October 2023, Moneyfacts found.
The cost of a deal has also fallen over the past two years, with the average two-year fixed rate now 5.04%, down from 6.53% in October 2023. Year on year, the two-year rate is down from 5.54%.
“The growth in product choice should be welcomed in a market that is consistently facing external pressures, but the rumour mill churn in the run-up to the budget could be causing concern,” Springall adds.
“Wider economic pressures continue to impact the rental market, so there is a careful balancing act for landlords to both meet their desired profit margin, while also ensuring they charge their tenants fairly. Ultimately, keeping valuable tenants and keeping properties occupied will be essential in the months ahead.”
Here’s a look at the best buy-to-let rates on the market…
The lowest buy-to-let rates may carry both a flat product fee and an arrangement fee that is based on a percentage of the mortgage advance, so a best buy package may be more suitable if you are looking to save on the upfront cost of any deal.
Here’s a round-up of the top ones on offer…
First-time buyers seeing prices rise more steeply
House prices for first-time buyers are rising more steeply than other sections of the market – with an average first home now costing £229,000, Zoopla has found.
This represents a 2.4% increase in the past year – though it’s much bigger in some parts of the country.
In the North East, prices for first-time buyers have increased by an average of 10.2% annually, according to the analysis.
In London, prices have fallen by 2.4%. Still, getting on the property ladder there costs around £420,600.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, says affordability challenges are “acting as a drag on house price growth across southern England”.
“The variation in affordability explains why first-time buyers across England are looking to buy three-bed houses, while in London, one and two-bed flats remain the primary target for those buying their first home,” he says.
We are signing off for the day now but wanted to give you one last tip – and you’ll need to act quickly on this one.
EDF’s Sunday Saver challenge, which rewards customers for shifting more of their energy usage away from peak times, returns this month.
The more you shift during the week, the more free electricity you can earn.
Registered customers will get up to 16 hours of free electricity to use between 8am and midnight on the following Sundays:
To get the maximum amount, you would need to shift 50% of your usage outside the period between 4pm and 7pm during the week.
EDF says households can earn free electricity by making “small changes” to their energy habits, such as putting the dishwasher on in the morning or batch cooking meals.
The time of day you can use your free electricity depends on the amount you’ve earned.
You won’t need to do anything different to qualify – EDF will just add a credit to your account.
To take part, sign up for the challenge via your account by 11.59pm on Sunday 12 October.
Save money on your energy bills
If you’re thinking of ordering some groceries via a delivery app this evening, read this post first.
Which? found shoppers who ordered everyday essentials from Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats could be paying at least 20% more, with some items more than double the price.
It compared the prices of 50 popular items from Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose against the three food delivery apps.
On average, it found that Sainsbury’s Nectar members had the most to lose by using a delivery app, as the supermarket does not apply its loyalty card discounts.
Sainsbury’s loyalty scheme customers would see the biggest mark-up with Uber Eats, where they would pay an average 45% more.
Birds Eye Cod Fish Fingers (280g) were £3 with a Nectar card, but £6.25 through all delivery sites. Quorn Chicken Nuggets (300g) were £1.75 for Nectar card-holders but £3.50 through the sites.
Here’s a look at some of the other mark-ups Which? found:
What did the supermarkets have to say?
Sainsbury’s said: “Each of our services have clear, competitive pricing and regular promotions, helping customers to make the choice that’s best for them.”
Tesco said: “Whoosh is our superfast delivery service, getting groceries to customers’ doors in as little as 20 minutes. The prices for groceries delivered by Whoosh reflect the extra costs of rapid delivery and provide market-leading value when compared with other major services providing rapid grocery delivery.”
Morrisons said: “These premium services do come with some additional costs in order to offer fast, convenient deliveries which many of our customers appreciate. That said, our partners regularly run promotions offering free delivery offers or directly matching their prices to those found in our stores.”
Waitrose said: “Delivery apps offer a quick and convenient service. Prices are clearly marked, and reflect the costs involved in running this service, including assembling and packing orders.”
Uber Eats said: “These findings fail to reflect the breadth of inventory and deals available for our customers on Uber Eats. Every Uber Eats partner sets their own prices and we have clearly flagged in-store price match ranges available on hundreds of products.”
Deliveroo said: “Deliveroo provides groceries fast and on demand, giving people the convenience they value. We encourage all of our partners to set fair pricing and we are always looking at new ways to ensure great value for our customers.”
Just Eat said: “While prices are set by our grocery partners we ensure customers can access great value, as well as unbeatable convenience.”
Amazon has recently launched a new shopping platform in the UK that’s trying to take on cheap online Chinese-owned retailers, like Shein and Temu.
The online retail giant has rolled out Amazon Haul, which offers the majority of products for less than £10.
Where can you find it?
You can find the service in the Amazon app or website. It will appear as a tab under the menu at the top of the screen under the search bar.
If you can’t spot it, you can search for Haul to find the correct page.
It has its own shopping experience, away from the main platform, meaning you can add products to a basket that is separate from your main Amazon account.
It’s important to know that your Amazon Prime member benefits cannot be applied to any Amazon Haul purchases.
This means while you might be able to access lower prices, you won’t be able to get next-day or fast delivery.
What are the prices like?
Amazon says all goods are priced at £20 or less, with the majority available for £10.
Shoppers can also look out for items with the “crazy low” price badge, signalling that they could cost as little as £1.
At the time of writing this post, some of the products we found include:
Various savings are available, including 5% off orders over £50, and 10% off orders over £75.
In terms of delivery, you can get it for free on orders over £15, or you have to pay a standard delivery charge of £2.99.
Amazon said it has been able to offer “ultra affordable” prices by shipping products to shoppers from outside the UK.
Next day delivery is not available, so how long does it take?
Prime members will have to get used to waiting for their deliveries, with most purchases on Amazon Haul taking around two weeks.
The platform warns that shipping times may vary depending on where the customer lives.
What about refunds and returns?
You will be able to return items for free within 15 days of receiving them.
To do this, you can take your package to a drop-off location, such as a Post Office, Asda or Morrisons, which will label and ship it.
We had a look at the Amazon Haul terms and conditions, and they say stores may issue a refund without requiring you to return the product, but this is at their discretion.
Refunds to an Amazon gift card can take between two and four hours to land, once they have been processed.
If you are having the money returned to a credit or debit card, it can take up to seven business days.
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