Welcome to the Money blog, Sky News’ consumer and personal finance hub. Today: a change at Wetherspoons, Sainsbury’s is criticised for trialling facial technology and Dubrovnik is limiting tourists. Listen to Money reporter Jess Sharp on why energy and food bills are rising as you scroll.
Wednesday 3 September 2025 12:13, UK
Amazon has been getting its finger in another pie over recent years – the second-hand market.
The online retailer has already taken on the streaming giants and recently launched Amazon Haul, a section to rival its cheap competitors Shein and Temu.
Now it’s launching its first sale dedicated to refurbished and second-hand products.
The Second Chance Deal Days runs from today until 9 September, offering customers savings of up to 50% off recommended retail prices.
The company said its research had suggested that two-thirds of British people were now buying second-hand goods, driven by the cost of living, expanded product selection and environmental concerns.
“We’ve seen that once customers experience the value and quality of these products, they become confident second-chance shoppers, saving money along the way and helping to extend product lifecycles,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager.
“Our dedicated teams check every returned product.”
What sort of deals can you get?
There are lots of deals on the site, which you can see here.
We found a renewed Sony Xperia 10 phone for £56.52 – 46% off the RRP of £105, according to Amazon.
A De’Longhi Magnifica Coffee Machine was on sale for £269.99, down from £349.
You can get a Henry Turbo Vacuum Cleaner for £159.99 (20% less than its RRP).
A Lumie Sunrise alarm clock costs £42, instead of £50, and you can grab a Tower Dual Basket Air Fryer for £95.59, down from £120.
A refurbished Blink outdoor wireless security camera is on sale for £62.99 – 55% less than its £138.99 RRP.
Amazon resells used, returned and refurbished items through two main programmes:
Both types of items are included in the sale.
What’s the return policy?
Any used product comes with Amazon’s customer service and return policies.
The platform offers free returns on most items within 30 days of receipt of delivery.
You can use the Amazon UK Returns Centre to send an item back, and your refund is processed once it has been received.
New items must be returned unused and undamaged. Used items must not have any additional signs of use or damage.
You can read the full terms and conditions here.
Dubrovnik is the latest city to crack down on overtourism after a surge in visitor numbers, due in part to its use as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Mato Frankovic, the mayor of the Croatian city, told The Independent he was introducing changes to make sure tourists had the “best experience”.
From 2026, he said, people would only be able to visit the city’s iconic historical wall by booking in advance, and there would be caps placed on the numbers allowed to visit the wall at one time.
The wall, which encircles the Old Town, is 1.2 miles long and up to 25 metres high in some places. It’s a popular tourist spot due to its breathtaking views and interesting history as a defensive barrier.
Frankovic said cruise ships had also been limited to two per day with a minimum stay of eight hours to spread the flow of passengers entering the city.
He said he was also conducting an audit of rental accommodation, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops to reach a sustainable number.
“Tourists do not want any more to be in overcrowded cities. Step by step, the overcrowded cities will be pushed to the margins of tourism. The cities that are prepared for sustainable tourism will be leaders,” he said.
“Our main goal is for Dubrovnik to be alive.”
Several other cities, including Venice and Barcelona, have introduced rules to tackle the number of tourists due to overcrowding and the rising cost of living.
Anti-tourism protests have taken place in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Read more below…
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hold the autumn budget on 26 November, the Treasury has confirmed.
The budget outlines the government’s spending commitments, and is where any tax changes are usually announced.
It is being held almost a month later than last year’s budget.
Reeves will be challenged with filling the huge hole in the public finances, which is estimated to be between £20bn and £50bn.
She has committed to sticking to Labour’s manifesto promise of not raising taxes on working people, but she has reportedly been considering changes to capital gains tax, inheritance tax and property levies.
In a video message, she said the budget will focus on fixing an economy that’s “not working well enough for working people”.
“Bills are high. Getting ahead feels tougher. You put more in, get less out. That has to change,” she said.
“Cost of living pressures are still real. And we must bring inflation and borrowing costs down by keeping a tight grip on day to day spending through our non-negotiable fiscal rules.
“It’s only by doing this can we afford to do the things we want to do.”
She said she wants to put “more pounds in your pocket” and provide opportunity for all.
“Those are my priorities. The priorities of the British people and it is what I am determined to deliver,” she added.
Sainsbury’s will start using facial recognition technology to help identify shoplifters and curb a sharp increase in retail crime.
The UK’s second-biggest supermarket chain has told staff in its Sydenham superstore in southeast London and its Bath Oldfield Sainsbury’s Local store that it will start an eight-week trial before potentially rolling out the technology nationwide.
Use of facial recognition in shops has been heavily criticised in recent years, with rival Asda facing thousands of complaints after launching a similar trial this year.
Bosses at Sainsbury’s, which has more than 1,400 shops across the country, said the plans were “not about monitoring colleagues” or customers.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, said: “It’s focused solely on identifying serious offenders who have committed acts of violence, aggression, or theft, helping our teams prevent further harm.
“We have listened to the deep concerns our colleagues and customers have and they’re right to expect us to act.
“The retail sector is at a crossroads, facing rising abuse, anti-social behaviour and violence. We must put safety first.”
The company is working with facial recognition business Facewatch as part of the trial.
The technology will be used to identify and potentially ban people who are “violent, aggressive or steal in the store”.
Sainsbury’s said that records will be instantly deleted if the software does not recognise the face of reported individuals.
However, privacy campaigners have described the plans as “chilling” and “invasive”.
Madeleine Stone, senior advocacy officer at privacy group BigBrotherWatch, said: “Sainsbury’s decision to trial Orwellian facial recognition technology in its shops is deeply disproportionate and chilling.
“Sainsbury’s should abandon this trial and the government must urgently step in to prevent the unchecked spread of this invasive technology.”
By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire, business and economics reporter
After hitting the highest level this century yesterday, the cost of government borrowing rose further this morning – setting a fresh 27-year high.
The interest rate demanded by investors on the state’s long-dated borrowing (30-year bonds) rose to roughly 5.735%, above the 5.72% level of Tuesday.
It comes as the government auctioned off these long-term loans on Tuesday and was forced to pay a premium to do so.
As well as meaning the state has to pay more to borrow money, high interest rates on debt can signify investor confidence in the ability of the UK to pay back these loans.
It’s meant the pound is at a month low against the dollar and back to buying €1.14, down from €1.19 before President Trump’s April tariff announcements.
Data and economics editor Ed Conway looks at what’s happening below – as always, it’s essential viewing for a complete understanding of the story…
Wetherspoons has stopped accepting Scottish £20 and £50 notes across its pubs in England.
The pub chain said it made the decision after being warned about counterfeit cash being used by criminal gangs.
Customers have not been able to use the money since November, but the decision has only just come to light after some punters complained.
JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said the company was notified by the Bank of England that a “large number of fake Scottish £20 notes were being put into circulation by organised crime gangs” in October.
“Advice was given as to how to identify them, but with a warning not to accept if in doubt. This warning, coupled with an increase in the receipt of fake notes in pubs, led to a decision in late November last year not to accept Scottish £20 notes,” he said.
“Scottish £50 notes are not accepted for the same reasons. We will continue to keep this decision under review.”
He said some English pubs with “close links” to Scotland would still accept them.
Martin Quinn, from the Campaign for Cash, told Money that chains should have checks in place so staff could accurately check for forgeries.
“All notes carry various security features, and are much more secure than the old paper notes,” he said.
“It’s really not ideal if you have Scottish or Northern Irish notes and can’t spend them; they become worthless, unless you are heading back to Scotland.”
What about the ‘legal tender’ argument?
When people have their cash refused, you’ll often hear them argue that it’s “legal tender” and must be accepted.
But that’s not true. First, Scottish notes are not legal tender in England and Wales, or even Scotland.
They are a legal currency, but their acceptance is at the discretion of the individual or business.
Legal tender has a narrow technical meaning that rarely comes up in everyday life – it’s actually about settling debts rather than paying for things.
For this week’s guide, Anna Bowes, personal finance expert from The Private Office, rounds up all the important moves in the savings market…
The most recent inflation figures (3.8%) have helped to put the brakes on cuts to savings rates, but a number of providers are driving forward with reductions.
So it might be time to check the rates you’re getting and seeing if you could earn more on your savings elsewhere.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular types of accounts…
Fixed-rate cash ISAs
The biggest news to report is that United Trust Bank launched a new three-year cash ISA paying 4.23%, pipping Shawbrook by just 0.01% but taking the top spot in that table.
Vida Saving tops the one-year and two-year tables paying 4.31% and 4.22% respectively, while Shawbrook holds on to the top with its five-year ISA paying 4.25% AER.
“The thing to remember is that with rate cuts on hold and a few new higher rates being introduced, that there are plenty of inflation busting cash ISA rates to be found,” Bowes says.
“So if you’ve not already used your ISA allowance, perhaps a top paying tax-free account is something to consider.”
Easy access cash ISAs
The previous market leading cash ISA from Plum has dropped down the league table after reducing its rate for new customers from 4.41% to 4.35%.
This has allowed Principality Building Society to move into first place with its Online Bonus 5 Access Cash ISA, paying 4.4%.
“As the name suggests though, you can make only five withdrawals per year, one of which would be to close your account – so you need to keep an eye on the number of withdrawals you make to ensure you still have the access you want,” Bowes notes.
If you want an ISA offering unrestricted access, Chip pays 4.32% but this account needs to be opened via the Chip app and the rate includes a bonus of 1.28% for the first 12 months.
“As ever, check all the terms and conditions to make sure you choose the best account to meet your needs, but there are plenty of competitive rates to choose from which can keep your cash keeping up with the rising cost of living,” she adds.
Easy access
The top easy access account is still 4.75% with Chase Bank – but it is only available to those who have a Chase current account.
Cahoot’s Simple Saver Issue 11 is the best paying simple unrestricted easy access savings account available, paying 4.4% AER
Cahoot also has an easy access account which is paying 5% AER, but only on up to £3,000.
“If you have less than this or would like to squeeze as much as you can without opening linked current accounts, this could be another account to consider,” Bowes says.
Fixed-rate bonds
Over the past week, there have been a few withdrawals and a few rate increases.
In the one-year table, the top rates paying 4.43% and 4.41% were withdrawn last week, but Chetwood launched a new market leading account paying 4.5%.
Cynergy and Atom also upped their offerings, both paying 4.4%.
JN Bank is still ruling the five-year roost with its bond paying 4.52% AER – which is potentially a good option for those who believe interest rates will fall over the medium to longer term.
Savings platform Raisin UK has launched a £100 welcome bonus for new customers opening a fixed rate bond – but you need to have £10,000 to get it.
Until midnight on 30 September, savers who open a fixed rate bond of 12 months or longer and deposit the cash will get the bonus.
Raisin connects savers with a wide range of banks offering accounts.
The platform’s current leading one-year fixed rate bond is from Shawbrook Bank at 4.33% AER.
At this rate, a £10,000 deposit generates £433 in interest. Add the £100 bonus, and the return increases to the equivalent of 5.33% AER.
The £100 is paid before maturity and is not conditional on keeping money in the account beyond the fixed term.
Is it worth considering?
We asked savings expert and Money blog regular Anna Bowes, from the Private Office, what she thought of the deal…
“Of course, larger deposits will dilute the benefit of the bonus; however, even if you were to deposit the Financial Services Compensation Scheme maximum of £85,000, the £100 bonus would elevate the equivalent rate to 4.45% – beaten only by Chetwood Bank’s 1 Year Bond paying 4.50% on the open market,” she says.
“Cash platforms are a great way to have access to multiple savings accounts, without having to make a new application each time, which means that opening and managing multiple accounts is much simpler.
“At the moment, cash platforms are not whole of market, but they often offer competitive, if not market leading options, so are worth a look.”
The boss of Omaze has warned there are not enough quality homes being built and he might have to start building his own to keep his competitions going.
Matthew Pohlson told The Telegraph that opposition to local housing developments, known as nimbyism, had made it “hard to build” all over the world.
“You look at the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, countries we’re either in or looking at going into – it’s the same patterns, the same thing is happening everywhere,” he told the newspaper.
“People don’t let go of these houses. And sometimes they haven’t been built. One hundred per cent, we need to be building more houses.”
He added: “If we can’t find the stuff [ticket buyers] want, we’ll have to get building.”
Omaze gives away one multimillion-pound house every month, with people paying a minimum of £10 to enter each draw and the company’s charity partners given a portion of the proceeds.
The house comes mortgage-free, with all legal fees and stamp duty paid. Furnishings are included, and winners also get £250,000 cash.
The company has faced controversy over the running costs of the homes, but Pohlson dismissed the suggestion that people couldn’t run them as “nonsense”.
“None of our winners have ever said I’m selling because I can’t afford to keep it,” he told The Telegraph. “They sell because the money they get is life-changing.”
Housing raffles have taken the UK by storm – but how likely are you to win?
In an increasingly grim housing market, the chance to own a once-in-a-lifetime home seems too good to be true.
And that is probably because it is.
But in a cost of living crisis, it is the chance to “escape from reality” that drives people to continue gambling on a win, one psychology expert previously told Sky News…
Every Tuesday we answer reader Money Problems – from consumer disputes to financial dilemmas. You can read today’s by scrolling to first thing this morning – but this afternoon we’ve got a short bonus edition after reader David Room got in touch with this…
I am wondering if you can help with a dispute with British Airways. In April 2024 I booked a business class return from London to Tokyo using Avios and an American Express 2-for-1 voucher. It cost me 165,000 Avios points plus taxes and charges of total £1,218.50. The flight was booked 355 days in advance. At the airport I was downgraded to premium economy due to overbooking. At check-in they told me not to worry and it would be sorted at the gate but at the gate I filled out a form and was told there was nothing they could do and that compensation would be automatic. On the aircraft things didn’t improve as what was supposed to be a new aircraft with the club suites configuration had been swapped out for a really old 747 with old design and poor seating. The premium economy seats were really poor and not much better than economy. I was heading straight into Disneyland on arrival so the lack of sleep was a major, major impact on our holiday. There were full-on rows going on, with other passengers shouting at staff as they had been separated from their partners in different cabins. It was clear it was a mass downgrade event and they were completely unprepared. Five months on from this, I have never been properly compensated. Can you help?
David Room
Our first step with emails like this is to put in a quick call to the company involved.
Sometimes they’ll put another side to the story (Wickes), sometimes they’ll produce CCTV that discredits the reader’s account (Premier Inn, we didn’t run with the story).
Other times, the company seems to hold up its hands, which is what happened when we got in touch with BA.
“We’re sorry for our customer’s experience and we have been in touch to make things right,” they told us.
The problem, it appears, was a late change of aircraft so there was reduced capacity.
You told us you were delighted with their offer of 100,000 Avios points and £300 in compensation.
“This is a really great result and again I can’t thank you enough for your hard intervention,” you said.
Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:
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