BT Group Delays Shift to Digital Landlines
BT Group has announced that it will be delaying its plans to move all customers from traditional analogue landlines to digital landlines. This change, originally scheduled for 2025, has now been pushed back to 2027. The decision comes as BT faces challenges in upgrading its network and ensuring a smooth transition for its customers.
The delay was announced along with the latest consumer and personal finance news for the day. Readers were invited to leave comments and engage with the article.
According to a report in The Sunday Times, HMRC is using AI to handle the recruitment process for some junior roles. Candidates are asked to submit a CV and a 1,000-word statement, and then answer six questions via a pre-recorded video. One current HMRC employee described the process as “daft” and criticized the questions as “waffle.”
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, has reported record profits and passenger numbers for the year. However, the average fare has increased by 21% compared to last year. The company has hinted at a possible cut in ticket prices after the summer season.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that business flights to and from the UK have decreased by 29% since the start of the COVID pandemic. This has resulted in a £2.9bn decrease in business spending on air travel. Experts suggest that this trend may continue as businesses become more conscious of the environmental impact of air travel.
In more positive news, the number of 56-65 year olds looking to buy their first home has increased by 13% in the first quarter of this year. This age group now accounts for 2.2% of first-time buyers, with the majority still falling in the 18-40 age bracket. The average loan amount for first-time buyers has also increased, indicating that buyers may have more purchasing power due to decreasing inflation and increasing earnings.
Kevin Roberts, managing director of Legal & General Mortgage Services, commented on the data, saying “the desire to own a home remains strong” and that we may see further activity in the first-time buyer market as affordability improves.
