By Jimmy Rice, Money blog editor

The most notable news in Money this week was Labour's cut to the winter fuel allowance being voted through by MPs, albeit with 52 Labour MPs abstaining.

The payment of up to £300 had been universal to those aged 66 and over, with 11.4 million in receipt last winter.

Now only those on certain means-tested benefits will get it - some 1.5 million.

It is estimate the change will save the Treasury £1.5bn a year - but it's not clear what price the government has paid in good will.

Political editor Beth Rigby described "disquiet" on the Labour benches and summarised it as "the first big challenge to Keir Starmer's authority".

If you're confused about who is now eligible for the winter fuel payment, we explain all here...

In related news, it is now likely there will be a 4% uplift in the state pension in April - equating to approximately £8.85 extra a week or £460 a year. 

The triple lock commits the government to increasing pensions every April by whichever is highest - inflation (the figure for September, published in October), average wage growth between May and July (4%, as published on Tuesday) or 2.5%.

Another significant moment in the Commons this week came on Thursday, when the Renters' Reform Bill returned, five years and four prime ministers after it was first promised.

This time it's Labour's version - with the new government vowing to improve and complete the set of proposals to strengthen renters' rights that the Tories pledged, then watered down and then abandoned altogether before the election.

The Renters' Rights Bill aims to "decisively level the playing field between landlords and tenants", according to housing minister Matthew Pennycook.

Crucially, it includes a blanket ban on no-fault evictions under Section 21 (S21) of the 1988 Housing Act, which allows landlords to evict tenants with two months' notice without providing a reason.

Housing campaigners say they are a major contributing factor to rising homelessness.

Our politics team run through all other areas the legislation will cover - from pets to rent increases - in this explainer: 

We've heard repeated warnings from Sir Keir Starmer and his top team that the country's finances are in a dire state and Rachel Reeves's first budget as chancellor next month will be "painful".

Our business correspondent Paul Kelso got further insight this week when he sat down with the chancellor after official figures showed the UK economy had unexpectedly flatlined for the second month in a row.

She signalled the budget could be a painful mix of spending cuts, tax rises and increased borrowing, telling Paul: "I've been really honest that there are difficult decisions to come in the budget, on spending, on taxation and welfare, after the mess that the previous government created with the public finances and the state that they are in, that was inevitable.

"I was clear during the election campaign that, if I became chancellor of the exchequer, tough choices lie ahead."

For Paul's full interview with the chancellor, click below:

Here in Money, we published a few explainers that are well worth checking out...

We'll be back with live updates on Monday - but check out our Saturday morning feature on: Can money buy you happiness?

Have a good weekend.

Hundreds of you have shared your thoughts with us this week.

We've gone through our mailbox to find out what got you talking. 

One of the biggest developments of the week came when MPs voted through Labour's cut to the winter fuel allowance. 

Here's what you thought...

What's next? Bus passes and prescriptions? But just keep giving £6bn to foreign aid whilst pensioners freeze to death - shame on Labour.

Winter fuel

Savings on winter fuel payments will be eaten away by the extra cost to the NHS of elderly people being admitted to hospital because of the cold weather. Any winter fuel payments should go directly to energy companies.

MoJo

Why is this government taking away the winter fuel allowance with one hand and increasing pensions with the other?

Shall46

A lot of you had thoughts on a survey that found police officers, social workers and community nurses have some of the most stressful jobs in the UK. 

It's safe to say this one got you talking... 

Didn't see Member of Parliament make the list…

Neiljo

Why is farming not on the list? Totally dependent on the unpredictable weather for success or failure, highest suicide rate of any profession!

Haybales

Teachers, and all the holidays they get over the year. Give us a break

Nigel

The stressful jobs list is a joke!
Where are firemen, doctors, scaffolders, traffic wardens? What are national govt admins?
But HR managers are on there? The majority sit behind a desk and manage people on a computer.

Morgg

Finally, we had lots of questions about cheap flights, including this one...

Flying with Quantas next February how do we get a good seat or complimentary upgrade it's a very special holiday 60th birthday. Registered on frequent flyers and are bronze for registering any help

Daisy62

First, a very happy birthday for when it comes, and while we'll have to leave the upgrade side of things with you to chance at the airport gate - you can check out our guide to cheap flights right here... 

Junk food ads will be banned before the 9pm watershed, the health minister has announced.

Andrew Gwynne also said the government would introduce a total ban on paid-for online ads for junk food.

"These restrictions will help protect children from being exposed to advertising of less healthy food and drinks, which evidence shows influences their dietary preferences from a young age," he said.

Both bans will come into effect on 1 October next year.

Some customers are being saddled with "unfair" interest rates for paying monthly, according to Which?.

The consumer group called on the Financial Conduct Authority to act swiftly to prevent people from being "penalised" for being unable to pay for a year of insurance upfront.

Its analysis found annual rates as high as 45% could potentially be charged.

Which? asked 49 car and 48 home insurers how much interest they charged customers to pay for cover monthly, with the annual percentage range (APR) across car insurers being 22.33% and the average across home insurers being 19.83%.

Nearly 20% of female business leaders have been forced to delay or cancel their company plans due to difficulties securing financing, research suggests.

A YouGov survey commissioned by HSBC showed one in 10 women entrepreneurs said securing the financial support they need was their top challenge.

The poll of more than 1,000 female business owners revealed nearly half are planning to expand their businesses in the UK or overseas next year - but many are being held back by not being able to access loans or financing.

Nearly one in five (18%) of female business leaders consider access to funding a barrier to growing their business, while nearly a fifth (19%) had to postpone or cancel their business plans as they have not been able to access the necessary funding.

Anyone who has had to move into a rental property lately will know how challenging finding a new place can be, and we can now put a number on how tough the competition is.

Around 21 people compete for every rental property, according to property website Zoopla.

It said the average rent was £1,245 a month in July - £63 a month higher than a year ago.

Zoopla said a lack of supply remains a major challenge for renters.

Although the number of homes to rent is higher than last year, it remains lower than the pre-coronavirus pandemic average, it said.

One in eight (12.5%) of homes listed for sale on Zoopla in July were previously rented.

The website suggested higher mortgage rates have acted as an additional catalyst for landlord sales over the past two years, on top of longer-term tax and regulatory changes.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of property professionals' body Propertymark, said: "The rental market has been suffering from a lack of supply against an ever-growing demand for a concerningly long period of time.

"The housing sector continues to see issues escalate year-on-year and the real-world effect is that renters face an increasing challenge to secure a suitable property for their needs."

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire, business reporter

It may be worth keeping an eye on US markets today amid recent signals that borrowing could become even cheaper in the US.

Officials from the US central bank, known as the Fed, have signalled a larger cut than first priced in may be needed - its decision will be announced next Wednesday.

Market expectations are now showing a 41% chance of the first interest rate cut in more than four years being 0.5 percentage points.

That's brought good news for those heading to the US on holidays or buying things in dollars, one pound is back buying $1.31, an amount that had been the greatest in more than a year.

There's little change for sterling against the euro with a pound equalling $1.1847.

Oil is ending the week slightly up from the multi-year low of $70 seen a few days earlier but still at the comparatively low sum of $72.43 for a barrel of the benchmark oil, Brent crude.

After yesterday's market rally, the benchmark UK stock index (the FTSE 100) was slightly down 0.07% this morning with the more UK-focussed FTSE 250 index up 0.38%.

Everyone has their superstitions - but ones about today's date are having a real impact on the housing market.

Analysis by Rightmove shows that Friday the 13th tends to be quieter for house sale completions than any other Friday - which which is usually the busiest day of the week for home moves.

And the 13th day of the month is typically the quietest day for completions compared to any other day of the month.

Rightmove also found that houses numbered 13 are valued at £5,521 lower than the average of £364,139.

Meanwhile, houses with the "lucky" number seven have an average valuation of £369,770.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove's property expert, said: "Despite the superstitions surrounding the number 13 and Friday the 13th, buyers willing to challenge these traditions could find themselves in a prime position to negotiate better deals.

"Our data shows that significant discounts are often available on properties with this traditionally unlucky number.

"With potential savings of over £5,000 - money that could be put towards stamp duty or other moving expenses - even the most superstitious buyers might be tempted to overlook the number on the door."

Friday the 13th is considered unlucky by some for biblical reasons - Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the last supper.

Some tall buildings don't list the 13th floor, instead jumping from 12 to 14, and some airlines don't have a row 13 on their flights.

Every Friday we take an overview of the mortgage market, hearing from industry voices and getting a round-up of the best rates courtesy of the independent experts at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

Halifax, Barclays and TSB were among the big lenders announcing cuts this week - as all eyes turn to next Thursday's base rate decision from the Bank of England.

As of yesterday afternoon, markets were pricing in just a 19% chance of a cut - with the strong expectation that the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee will hold fire until its next meeting at the start of October.

The momentum behind a lowering of interest rates has been helped by uncertainty in the US economy - fears of a recession eased somewhat at the end of last week with improved jobs data, but a struggling economy is likely to persuade the Fed to lower rates at a faster than expected rate.

That is helping to bring down swap rates - which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend.

Peter Stimson, from MPowered Mortgages, told industry news wire Newspage: "Fears of a US recession are proving a real fillip to UK borrowers. 

"The two-year swap, which two-year fixed rate mortgages are priced off, is now at its lowest level for 18 months and is even lower than it was at the start of the year when lenders were cutting across the board. Five-year swaps are also falling."

Finance expert Rachel Springall said: "Fixed rate mortgage reductions have taken precedence so far this week, with a few prominent brands making tweaks.

"Home movers who want to lock into a longer-term fixed mortgage will find the average overall five-year fixed rate is much higher than it was back in September 2019, which was 2.79%. Week on week, the overall average two- and fixed rate fell to 5.50% and 5.17% respectively.

"Borrowers searching for a deal may find it encouraging that the average shelf-life of a mortgage product rose to 21 days, up from 17 days. Our analysis at Moneyfacts also revealed that the average two-year fixed rate is now at its lowest level since February 2024, the five-year is at its lowest level since March 2024."

Moneyfacts has looked at the best rates on offer now...

The comparison site also looks at what it calls "best buys" - which considers not just the rate, but other costs and incentives. These are their top picks this week...

Ipswich Town is the cheapest Premier League team to follow this season, according to a new study - though a surprising team pipped it to the cheapest pint by 50p.

Topping this particular table, Ipswich Town - who were promoted to the league this season - comes out as the cheapest team when prices for food and drink in the stadium, adult tickets and season tickets are taken into account.

Sports company Flashscore, which published the study, also compared the price of a standard home shirt and average ticket price.

Arsenal was found to be the most expensive team to follow this season.

The Emirates sells the joint most expensive beer, at £6.30 a pint, while Arsenal's cheapest season ticket - at £1,073 - is the most expensive in the league. 

It also sells the most expensive adult ticket at £141.

At £372 Ipswich has the second-most affordable season ticket, with the most expensive adult ticket at £48 also under the league average of £71.25.

West Ham have the cheapest season ticket at £345, but scored more highly on other prices.

The cheapest ticket at £29 is also under the £31.07 average.

Once inside Ipswich's Portman Road Stadium, a pint of beer costs £3.50 - the second cheapest to... Manchester United.

The revelation might surprise fans, with United known as the commercial pioneers of the Premier League, adept at driving profit through sponsorship, merchandise and shirt sales.

The club led the way in terms of monetising football beyond tickets, opening a megastore and hotel at Old Trafford in the 1990s, while also popularising stadium tours.

The Red Devils remain one of the world's five richest clubs, despite posting a loss of more than £110m in their latest financial results this week.

Snapdragon, the US technology firm, will pay the club around £60m per year in a shirt sponsorship deal for its men's and women's teams agreed this summer.

Perhaps this has allowed the club to give a little back to fans with a cheap matchday pint.

This chart compares all Premier League prices, from pies to pints and tickets...

Feeling priced out of going to matches? Pints getting more expensive? Share your stories with us in the box at the top of the page. 

A three Michelin-starred meal will soon be available for delivery for £80. 

Uber Eats has teamed up with one of the most celebrated British chefs, Simon Rogan, to offer customers dishes from his restaurant L'Enclume.

The menu has been created using ingredients grown on Rogan's farm in the Lake District, and aims to be the most sustainable in the UK. 

It consists of five courses, with snacks consisting of a Park House pudding glazed in birch sap, a chicken offal doughnut, and Diana radishes with lovage emulsion, followed by a salad with 51 ingredients. 

The centrepiece of the meal is a heritage breed beef short rib from Lake District farmers served with fermented cabbage, chanterelles and an indulgent beef sauce featuring ramson stems, pickled tapioca and ramson oil. 

The menu will conclude with petit fours (little bite-sized desserts). 

It will be available to London-based customers on 18 and 19 September between 5pm and 10pm, priced at £80. 

Pairing wines will also be available for £30. The first night will be available to Uber One users only, and the second night will be available to all customers. 

It will be delivered in biodegradable packaging and transported using electric vehicles. 

"My cooking philosophy has always been influenced by the natural environment, while sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do. Uber Eats have truly gone above and beyond to match this ethos with this project," Rogan said.

The Money blog has won an award that recognises innovation in journalism.

Money was recognised in the live journalism category at the Press Gazette's Future of Media Awards, beating competition from the Financial Times, the Telegraph, Bloomberg and the Athletic among others.

The judges said: "This is a great idea for the audience. Responds to readers' questions by delivering the content they ask for, as well as real-time reporting. It is what interactive journalism should do."

Highlights of the year include:

• Weekly Money Problems, where experts answer your money issues
• An investigation into the rocketing price of olive oil
• An eight-part Women in Business series, hearing the stories of female founders and the challenges they face
• Investigations into hospitality struggles for pubs and nightclubs
• Our Basically… series - condensing and explaining financial jargon
• Cheap Eats, where the country's top chefs share their favourite budget restaurants and recipes every week
• Series on the struggles of unpaid family carers
• Weekly mortgage and savings guides, including advice from industry experts

A big thank you to all our readers for your contributions to Money since we launched in January. 

Keep sending in your Money Problems and any thoughts you have on the stories we cover - we couldn't have done it without you.

You can send us a message in the box at the top of the page - and our WhatsApp is always open too.