RICS: Estate agents say house prices are up for first time in two years

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, curates her top stories in the Unlock the Editor’s Digest, a weekly newsletter. More than 10,000 UK civil service jobs are set to be cut in a bid to achieve savings of 5 per cent across departments, with ministers considering voluntary redundancy programs. The spending review led by chancellor Rachel Reeves aims to reduce the overall civil service headcount, emphasizing productivity gains and the use of AI to streamline...

Griffin Haddrill, a successful entrepreneur, began his career at 12 with a rough business plan for an earbud company, which eventually led to founding VRTCL and now leading LV8, a digital marketing agency. Facing challenges during the pandemic, he reached out to contacts for advice, leading to VRTCL's success in TikTok campaigns. Haddrill emphasizes authenticity and awareness in marketing, focusing on building awareness over conversion rates and adapting trends to create unique campaigns in the...

MoneyWeek offers weekly share tips and monthly top fund recommendations, but investing for children requires a different approach. Consider giving them an investment fund, such as a junior ISA, as a Christmas gift for long-term growth potential. Options include low-cost global index funds, S&P 500 trackers, UK equity funds, emerging market investments, or Premium Bonds for a safe savings alternative with potential prizes. Full Article

London's Heathrow airport is set to have its busiest festive period ever, with a 21% increase in passenger volumes on Christmas Day following a record-breaking year of travel. Airlines in Europe, including United Airlines, are experiencing strong demand for flights despite falling ticket prices, with United expecting its busiest holiday period yet. Tour operator Tui reports a 4% increase in winter bookings, driven by short and medium-haul destinations, while consumers are opting for package holidays...

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Ron Johnson, a former ambassador to El Salvador, to be his envoy to Mexico. If confirmed, Johnson will have the challenging task of pushing Mexico to reduce the northward flow of migrants and drugs. Trump praised Johnson's work in El Salvador, where he helped reduce violent crime and illegal migration to historic lows. Full Article

Amazon has launched a new car sales feature called "Amazon Autos" on its website, allowing shoppers in 48 major U.S. cities to purchase new cars starting at $22,500 from manufacturers like Hyundai. While the platform offers transparent pricing and a familiar shopping interface, its limited selection of only Hyundai vehicles and inability to negotiate prices may deter some buyers. Amazon plans to expand to other manufacturers in 2025, providing a potential solution to these limitations....