A property expert has shared his predictions on what he believes will happen in the housing market in 2026. Property expert Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Busy Fast believes eight key factors will shape the next 12 months. “The UK housing market moves into 2026 after a year of Budget uncertainty that pushed many people to pause their plans,” he said.

With the cost of living still biting many households, and projections of declining disposable incomes for the rest of the decade, many people are looking at ways of making extra cash. And around half of UK adults now have a second job, or a ‘side hustle’. Whilst average earnings are often modest, at around £200 a week, others can do well enough that it becomes their main form of income.

The UK housing market is heading for a year of steady improvement rather than dramatic change in 2026. Falling interest rates, easing affordability pressures and new mortgage products are expected to support buyers. I warn against expecting a return to ultra-cheap borrowing or runaway house price growth. 2026 should be a great year to buy a property.

This January is set to see UK consumers returning over £1 billion worth of Christmas gifts. Whether it is something you’ve purchased yourself, for a friend or loved one or it’s an unwanted gift, it can be a trying experience. If you’re trying to return something after Christmas, your rights depend on how and why you’re returning it.

For the last few years I have bought Christmas trees with a root ball so that I can plant them outdoors once the festive season is over. Whilst this is great for the tree, it does have a downside from a smallholding point of view, as Christmas trees, fir, pine and spruce are an excellent source of healthy snacks for the goats.

Salford-based brewer Hydes has revealed its new ale line-up for 2026, a 12-month celebration of creative hairstyles brought to life through a series of characterful cask releases. Each monthly release delivers a carefully brewed style supported by bold pump clip designs that reflect the theme. Bar runners and posters feature the strapline ‘a style for everyone’.

It’s the day of the year when soaring numbers of people are looking to buy a home. For many, logging onto Rightmove on Boxing Day will be as important as tucking into the leftovers and getting in early for the High Street sales. Experts say we gravitate towards Rightmove and other property platforms as our mind begins to turn towards New Year aspirations.

Grasmere Distillery is delighted to announce that its Single Malt New Make Spirit has been awarded a Gold Medal by the prestigious Global World Whisky Masters, part of the Global Spirits Challenge. The Global World Whisky Masters is designed to identify the most notable whiskies currently available on the global market.

Our mental health expert has issued her advice on how to avoid feeling lonely during the festive season.

This year, households across the UK are entering a festive season marked by significant financial pressures. Annual research carried out by Fair4All Finance, the not-for-profit financial inclusion organisation, has revealed that 10 million people saved less or stopped saving entirely this year.

Every year, at the beginning of December, I start to think about making my Christmas wreaths. Wreaths can be very expensive to buy from garden centres and shops, and they are both fun and easy to make. I start by collecting swathes of ivy, holly branches, and small bundles of evergreens when out and about on dog walks.

Tucked away between Briggate and Lands Lane in cobbled Swan Street is one of the city’s hidden gems. What may come to mind immediately is the City Varieties – the famous music hall and the oldest working theatre in the country – but this theatre would not have existed without the landlord of the White Swan in the mid-1800s.

A property expert had shared his predictions for the housing market in the first three months of 2026. Mish Liyanage, Founder and CEO of Mistoria Group, is optimistic about steady growth in house prices as the number of sales return to pre-pandemic levels.

Amy J Payne will never forget having dinner on the romantic island of Ischia. “My boyfriend and I were on holiday on this romantic Italian island and had just had a fabulous meal of fresh fish, salad, fruit and a delicious dessert. After the meal he suggested we go down to the beach.

It is possible to pick up freebies for stocking fillers and get Christmas dinner bargains if you know the right places to look. The average person will spend over £1,100 this Christmas on gifts, food, drink and going out – a significant chunk of most people’s monthly pay at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch from the cost of living,” says Jane.

Anne Hegerty sees food as a “treat” and “not just something to fuel the body with”. Known as The Governess in ITV’s The Chase, this Christmas Anne will once again be in pantomime this year, playing Fairy Rose The Good Fairy in Beauty and the Beast at Scarborough Spa Theatre.

The team at a North Yorkshire whisky distillery is celebrating after being named one of the top 50 spirits producers in the world. Hunmanby Single Estate, single malt whisky distillery, Spirit of Yorkshire, was awarded the accolade by the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) on account of its consistent quality, excellence and success in the last three competitions.

Grasmere Distillery has announced the launch of The Pioneers Club, inviting whisky enthusiasts to secure a rare opportunity: ownership of the first three releases of the distillery’s inaugural English single malt whisky.

The Corney and Barrow Christmas tasting in Leeds had the sort of atmosphere you only get when people who genuinely enjoy wine gather under one roof. Aspire was dressed for the season, with lights on the columns, the usual hum of the room softened by mince pies and the steady carving of a Christmas ham.

With statistics showing over two in five Brits have felt stressed during the festive season, I have put together a plan to help people cope with the additional pressures the season brings. Despite it being such a happy and exciting time for most, one in four of us have said we struggle with anxiety or depression at this time of year.

With the early arrival of snow last week, I decided it was the right time to get the donkeys’ stabling ‘winter ready’. The drop in temperatures, sleet, snow and ice were a sharp reminder that winter is well and truly on its way, after an incredibly hot summer and an unseasonably warm Autumn.

With Christmas fast approaching, as the festive light trails return to RHS Gardens and Christmas trees go on sale at RHS Plant Centres, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) shares its definitive guide to choosing and caring for Christmas trees – helping households keep their trees looking fresh, fragrant and full throughout the festive season.