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The Guardian - UK

Shane Hickey

The 2016 awards for worst customer service, plus homes for Christmas walks

Angry young man, blowing steam coming out of ears, about to have nervous atomic breakdown. Negative human emotions, facial expressions, feelings, attitude — You might think companies don’t dedicate enough time to customers, but they seemingly invest hours in coming up with creative reasons why you’re in the wrong. Photograph: AllVision/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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

Hospice charity ‘locked into fundraising deal that misleads public’

Housebuilders must halt leasehold sale of new houses, says minister

Home ownership among 25-year-olds in England and Wales has halved in 20 years

Government pledges £400m broadband fund to help 600,000 homes

UK house price growth will slow to 3% in 2017, say surveyors

Money blog

2016: the year Britain got (a little bit) richer

But the bad news is Toblerone got gappier and Marmite became the poster child for post-Brexit price rises. — But the bad news is Toblerone got gappier and Marmite became the poster child for post-Brexit price rises. Composite: Rex

In pictures

Homes for Christmas walks

Walk off the festive feasting from this property in Calver, Derbyshire. — Walk off the festive feasting from this property in Calver, Derbyshire. Photograph: Lee Wilson/Onthemarket.com

In the spotlight

Many firms have had the steam coming out of your ears this year. We highlight the prize failures in Anna Tims’ awards for the worst customer service of 2016.

Homebase sofas performed a vanishing act after customers ordered them. — Homebase sofas performed a vanishing act after customers ordered them. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

Consumer champions

BT drops the ball and bills me for sport I don’t watch … and don’t want

How can a car hire firm take money from my card without authority?

We’re £15,500 out of pocket after a Lloyds blunder over house sale

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.

Save 10% on annual and single trip Guardian travel insurance, provided by Voyager, until 31 January 2017 – quote WIN10 to claim your discount.

And finally....

Money Talks will be sent out again in the new year. Have a very happy Christmas.

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