Money

The all-new Dacia Spring is the cheapest EV in the UK by almost £10k. Before deliveries commence in October, we test drove it on launch to find out if this bargain budget EV really can put the world on cheap electric wheels. With 140-mile range, two trims but basic driving needs covered, will this EV make zero emissions driving affordable before the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars?

US investment giant BlackRock's proprietary research business has backed UK stocks to outperform, with foreign investors pulled in by 'relative political stability'. The BlackRock Investment Institute this week moved to an 'overweight' position on London-listed stocks on the basis that a new government with a sizeable majority will encourage investors to recognise 'attractive valuations'.

One of my good friends is a big fan of the actor Al Pacino. It was her 60th birthday last year, so in December 2022 I booked tickets for the two of us, and another friend, to see him in person at a live 'in conversation' event in London. It cost £485. It was supposed to take place in April 2023 but shortly before we were told it was cancelled because Pacino had a diary change'. We waited to see if it would be rescheduled, but it wasn't so I contacted the company that put the event on, An Experience With, to ask for a refund. Nearly 15 months since the event was cancelled, I still don't have my money. The company has given various excuses. At one point I was told I needed to wait for 90 days before asking for a refund. Another time, it said I should raise a dispute with my bank as that would be the 'quickest resolution'. It also said it couldn't pay me back because of issues with 'funds held in the US'. I've now seen some concerning things about the company online and am worried I'll never get my £485. I have also tried Paypal, which I used to pay for the tickets, and Eventbrite, the website which sold them, but with no luck. Can you help?

First-time buyers are increasingly likely to be paying a mortgage in their retirement, as more take on loans lasting 30 or 35 years. Those getting on the ladder for the first time, are opting for lengthy mortgage terms in order to make their monthly repayments more affordable. While this saves them money from month-to-month, it means they will ultimately be paying off their mortgage for a longer period of time.

I am being left £10million, could I create an investment trust to manage it? I would like to manage my family's wealth and enable members of the family to have a stake in it. We speak to investment experts to find out how a reader inheriting a large sum can manage it.

Do you set long-term financial goals and follow a budget? Do you switch accounts to get the best deal for your savings and investments? If not, you may be missing out on the simple lifestyle trick that some savvy savers are using to boost their wealth by £65,000 on average. Managing your money with confidence is the key to doubling your net worth - no matter what you earn, new research shared with Money Mail can reveal.

Ford has taken the daring decision to relaunch the iconic nameplates after 40 years away. But not all fans will be happy to see it used for a £40k+ electric SUV baring little resemblance to the original. Ford says the battery powered Capri 'continues the story of the iconic cult classic' and 'will inject some soul into the world of EVs'. The car maker added: 'The legend is back,' - a phrase used by Eric Cantona (pictured bottom right) during a podcast appearance with Gary Lineker as it is revealed that the former Manchester United player's recent series of viral goat stunts have been orchestrated by Ford to promote Capri's renaissance.

A luxury summer holiday is off the cards for me this year but a short break overseas is not. The kids are doing their own thing so I feel free to take a gamble on a last-minute bargain. With passport in hand and an open mind, I log on to the internet hoping to discover a cut-price option for the next day.

The manifesto was notably light on detail, but now the votes are in we will finally find out what Labour intends to do on regaining power after 14 years of Tory government. New Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to prioritise economic growth. Here are the proposals we know about so far and the things that have been left unsaid and what Labour in power could mean for your finances.

International Distribution Services - which owns the 508-year-old postal service - yesterday confirmed it will scrap rail freight in October and sell its trains. The move sparked uproar among unions and businesses who sought urgent government action to protect the freight industry and jobs.

On a steady day of gains, the FTSE 100 rose 0.6%, or 44.86 points, to 8184.67 and the FTSE 250 was up 1.1%, or 224.14 points, to 20,869.16. The rally came as airport and train station food outlet SSP enjoyed its best day since the pandemic thanks to a surge in demand for leisure travel.

We are both 49 and have a plan to downsize once our daughter, who is 10, leaves home to help pay for retirement. My question is, is it worth trying to pay the mortgage off faster? We could probably put a £20,000 lump sum towards it, and make an overpayment of £500 each month. This would mean we could pay it off in six years rather than 18. But would we be better off just putting the money into pensions instead?

I contributed approximately £100,000 to my pension in the 23/24 tax year, taking advantage of the abolition of the lifetime allowance and using unused allowances from previous years. I now wish put my pension into drawdown to avoid any potential tax changes or anti-forestalling legislation introduced by a new Government.

Customer service levels at the country's biggest companies have deteriorated, according to a report. The latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index by the Institute of Customer Service asked 60,000 people what they thought of the customer service at 275 major firms - and found that satisfaction was at its lowest level since 2010. Retailers top the customer satisfaction list, with seven of the top 10 organisations in that sector.

Terry Smith defended his decision not to add Nvidia to the Fundsmith Equity portfolio, despite the fund lagging the benchmark since January. He told investors that returns had been concentrated in a few stocks, with a quarter coming from Nvidia alone, which he does not hold.

Mikael Armstrong has mustered more than 5000 signatures demanding a vote on the deal - the largest takeover in the sector since the 2008 financial crisis. Armstrong argued that Nationwide's 16 million members, who own Britain's largest building society, should also be balloted. But in a surprise twist, we have learned that Armstrong's various accounts with the society were frozen in April - just as his campaign against the deal was getting into full swing.

Our TV is a Sony Bravia, which is about nine years old. We also had a TalkTalk box, which records TV and could be used for a wider range of streaming services, again including Netflix. But after Netflix scrapped its basic subscription plan and switched to the £4.99 per month standard with adverts plan, we weren't able to get Netflix via the two devices. What can we do?

In May 2023 we booked a big farmhouse close to the church and reception venue for our daughter's wedding in the Cotswolds this summer. It can take most of the family - 11 adults and two dogs - and will be the hub on the day with make-up and hairdressers and wedding cars booked to come to the property. We paid the full bill in late May this year at a cost of £1,600. Now the owner has informed us they are no longer renting it out and apparently informed Booking.com of this eight months ago. Booking.com refutes this and will not action any relocation until it receives confirmation from the property owner or until after check-in at 3pm on June 27, two days before the wedding.

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and a variety of charges can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.