Friday newspaper round-up: Property sales, Royal Mail, Revolut

Property sales and demand across the UK were almost a fifth higher in the final weeks of 2023 than a year earlier as sentiment improved, according to a survey. The property website Zoopla said new sales agreed were 17% higher in December than this time last year, when higher mortgage rates hit market activity. Demand is up 19%, measured by would-be buyers contacting agents to inquire about and arrange viewings for a specific property listed on Zoopla. An increase in the number of homes for sale is increasing choice and supporting sales, it said. – Guardian

Borrowing on the likes of credit cards and overdrafts will rise by £5,000 a household in the next five years, according to Labour analysis that the party says shows the fragility of national economic health. Analysis of statistics in the November economic outlook produced by the government’s Office for Budget Responsibility shows that unsecured debt, also covering many car loans, is forecast to rise £154bn by 2028, the party said. – Guardian

Jeremy Hunt has hinted at further tax cuts in the spring in the hope an anticipated fall in interest rates will lower the cost of servicing Britain’s debt. The Chancellor described a faster-than-expected drop in inflation last month as “really good news”, adding that Downing Street was already eyeing further tax cuts. – Telegraph

The chief executive of Royal Mail has been warned he could be hauled in front of MPs over “disturbing” claims that the postal service is prioritising parcel deliveries over letters. The Commons business and trade committee has demanded that Martin Seidenberg explain how the struggling company will improve punctuality, amid fresh claims that it is failing to meet its legal obligations. – Telegraph

The protracted attempt by Revolut to secure a banking licence from City regulators has received a boost after the fintech company’s external auditor said it had cleared up questions about the company’s revenues. Revolut faced intense scrutiny in March when its much-delayed accounts for 2021 showed that BDO had raised concerns about almost £477 million of the company’s annual revenues that year. – The Times