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House prices head for historic 10% drop as fourth interest rate hike looms

Cotality data reveals property prices are now falling in more than 90% of Australian suburbs, while analysts expect market downturn to continue

The prospect of the steepest property market downturn in history will not stop the Reserve Bank from delivering a fourth interest rate hike as it battles to bring inflation back under control, economists say.

New data from Cotality revealed house prices are now falling in more than 90% of Australian suburbs, amid a perfect storm of higher borrowing costs, a weak economy, and a once-in-a-generation change in the tax treatment of property investors.

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© Photograph: James Ross/AAP

© Photograph: James Ross/AAP

© Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Boss of City regulator accused of threatening consumer group over £9.1bn car loan scheme

FCA chief, Nikhil Rathi, warned of ‘adverse consequences’ if challenge made to settlement, court filings allege

The boss of the UK’s financial regulator is accused of threatening a consumer group with “adverse consequences” if it blocked a £9.1bn compensation scheme meant to settle the motor finance scandal.

Legal documents reviewed by the Guardian said the alleged comments by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, amounted to “an inappropriate intervention by a public official”.

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© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

‘I’ve £80k in the account, here’s my pin’: turning the tables on the scammers

29 August 2026 at 15:00

Plagued by bank impersonation scams, one Guardian Money reader got even by stringing the fraudsters along … for hours

“A couple of Sundays ago at just past 11am my mobile rang. An automated message purported to be from Barclays Bank, querying a payment to Argos for more than £1,000. Not only had I not made a payment to Argos recently, nor do I bank with Barclays.

I am plagued with these kinds of calls. Usually, when possible, I make it clear to the scammers that I know their game. Usually, that call ends there and then.

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© Illustration: Sean O'Brien/The Guardian

© Illustration: Sean O'Brien/The Guardian

© Illustration: Sean O'Brien/The Guardian

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