Is it worth divorcing to reduce our stamp duty bill?

‘It seems that unmarried couples are at an advantage in relation to the new stamp duty laws.’ Photograph: Rex

Hello and welcome to this week’s Money Talks – a roundup of the week’s biggest stories and some things you may have missed.

Money news

HSBC raises mortgage rates and pulls ‘cheapest-ever’ fix

Thousands wait for action over potentially dangerous tumble dryers

Brexit vote dents British demand for Spanish property

Cyber criminals move to exploit ‘safe’ social media spaces

Feature

‘I felt vulnerable’: freelancers on the stress of self-employment

Isolation, financial pressures and irregular hours can lead to common mental health disorders among freelancers, say experts. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

In pictures

Buy-to-let properties

Annual returns on flats are estimated to be over 18.2% and yields over 7.2% in the Mann Island development in Liverpool. Photograph: Paul Harmer Photography

Consumer champions

Number’s up with Nationwide as it blocks all my accounts

Failing to deliver … but as a result my accounts get blocked. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

Going into reverse with Avis over hire car repair receipt

Barclays has failed to clear a £19,000 cheque

In the spotlight

Can we divorce to avoid the higher stamp duty on second homes? Since April, anyone buying a second property has faced a higher stamp duty bill than an owner occupier – our mortgage expert advises a reader who is considering drastic action to avoid the cost.

Money deals

If you’re planning to send money overseas for Christmas get competitive exchange rates and free online currency transfers from Moneycorp, provider of the Guardian money transfer service.

Get 21 days of winter sports cover as standard with the Guardian’s annual travel insurance, provided by Voyager.