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How doing a wash while you watch the World Cup at 2am could cut energy bills

Change in viewing habits offered by match times at 2026 tournament could mean using cheaper off-peak power

Watching late-night or early hours football could provide UK households with a practical opportunity to cut their energy bills, as even just doing the washing when cheaper electricity rates apply can net a decent saving.

At a time when energy costs are back at worrying highs, research by E.ON Next shows the potential to save money on a time-of-use tariff – in this case, its Next Smart Saver deal, which has three rates: peak, off-peak and super off-peak.

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© Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters

© Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters

© Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters

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US consumer sentiment improves in June due to easing gas prices

Consumer sentiment still remains at historically low levels amid Iran war and rising inflation, new survey shows

Easing gas prices are making Americans feel better about their personal finances and the economy in June, but consumer sentiment remains at historically low levels amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to new survey data from the University of Michigan.

The latest numbers come as SpaceX marks its historic stock market debut, which has made Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Yet many Americans still feel like they are struggling even as the stock market reaches record highs.

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© Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

© Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

© Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

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Barclays to buy GoHenry kids’ debit card and money app

High street bank to buy UK business from US fintech company Acorns as it targets young people

Barclays is to buy an app designed to help children understand and manage their money, as it targets young people in affluent families.

The high street bank has agreed to buy the UK business of GoHenry, which provides children with personalised debit cards carrying their name, from the US fintech company Acorns, which will retain GoHenry’s US branch.

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© Photograph: Colin Ross

© Photograph: Colin Ross

© Photograph: Colin Ross

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Australian billionaire Brett Blundy wages high-stakes campaign to oust chair of Victoria’s Secret

Blundy’s investment firm, BBRC International, owns about 13% of the US-listed lingerie brand, giving it a potential platform to launch a hostile takeover

Australian billionaire Brett Blundy is waging a high-stakes campaign to oust the long-term chair of Victoria’s Secret & Co, setting the stage for a showdown at the company’s annual meeting in the US on Thursday.

Blundy’s investment firm, BBRC International, owns about 13% of the US-listed Victoria’s Secret lingerie brand, making it the second-biggest single shareholder and giving it a potential platform to launch a hostile takeover.

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© Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

© Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

© Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

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Push to regulate UK bailiffs too slow, warns supervisory body

A year after government pledge to regulate sector, ECB criticises ‘lack of visible progress’ and ‘no clear plan’

The UK government has been accused of dragging its feet over plans for the mandatory regulation of bailiffs amid concerns about harmful practices in an industry that collects more than £1bn a year from indebted Britons.

A year on from an announcement by the Ministry of Justice that it would legislate to make independent regulation of bailiffs mandatory, the body that now oversees the industry, the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB), criticised the lack of “visible progress”.

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© Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

© Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

© Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

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