Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news

• Revealed: the business dealings of Royal Mail bidder Daniel Křetínský

Christmas is coming, which means the UK housing market is cooling.

With winter setting in, a potential house buyer’s fancy is lightly turning to more pressing concerns than a move – such as present-buying, food options, and juggling visiting the in-laws.

“New sellers in December have to work particularly hard to capture the attention of Xmas-party and festivity-distracted buyers, and the 1.7% average monthly fall is a fitting gift for those who are still buying homes rather than presents.

Despite this monthly drop, prices have risen by 1.4% compared with this time in 2023, broadly in line with our prediction of a 1% rise in prices this year.