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Bank faces criticism over adverts saying people testing its services could ‘fabricate’ conditions for £45 a visit

Barclays is facing criticism over adverts for paid “mystery shoppers” which suggested that people could pretend to be blind or deaf to test the services at the British bank’s high street branches.

The bank hired market research firm Ipsos to carry out testing at branches. The Barclays-branded instructions said candidates for the roles would ideally be blind or deaf, but also suggested candidates could “fabricate” conditions if necessary, for £45 a visit, according to the Mail on Sunday (MoS).

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-0.49

Bearish/Bullish

07.01.25 07:46

by theguardian.com

UK house prices dip for first time since March, says Halifax; Next warns of slow...

Halifax says house prices dipped by 0.2% in December while annual price growth slowed to 3.3%

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.

UK house prices finished 2024 up 3.3% over the year, with the average property value falling slightly in December, according to a major mortgage lender.

December 2024 was one of the busiest Decembers in years in terms of buyer demand. This was driven by first-time buyers who were keen to get on the property ladder before this year’s changes to Stamp Duty but also by second-steppers, including young families, wanting to upsize.

We believe that UK growth is likely to slow, as employer tax increases, and their potential impact on prices and employment, begin to filter through into the economy.

8.30am GMT: Eurozone, France, Germany, Italy HCOB Construction PMI for December

9am GMT: Italy Unemployment rate for November (previous: 5.8%)

10am GMT: Eurozone inflation for December flash (previous: 2.2%, forecast: 2.4%)

10am GMT: Eurozone unemployment rate for November (previous: 6.3%)

1.30pm GMT: US Trade for November

3pm GMT: US ISM Services PMI for December

3pm GMT: US JOLTs Job Openings for November

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