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Received yesterday — 18 October 2026 ⏭

Forget the seven-year itch: opposite-sex marriages more likely to end after two decades 18 October 2026 at 09:29

Forget the seven-year itch: opposite-sex marriages more likely to end after two decades

18 October 2026 at 09:29

ONS data for England and Wales shows 26% of heterosexual divorces in 2025 followed 20 years or more of marriage

Most couples are aware of the dreaded “seven-year itch”, when the honeymoon period wears off and real life starts to bite.

Now official data has shown that couples in England and Wales are more likely to split after 20 years. According to Office for National Statistics figures, more than a quarter of all divorces between opposite-sex couples happened after 20 years or longer of marriage.

Received — 15 October 2026 ⏭

UK economy unexpectedly grows in August despite fall in consumer spending 15 October 2026 at 02:05

UK economy unexpectedly grows in August despite fall in consumer spending

The Guardian

By: Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent

15 October 2026 at 02:05

Latest data showing surprise 0.1% growth is boost to John Healey a fortnight before his first budget

Business news – live updates

The UK economy unexpectedly continued to grow in August despite a fall in consumer spending before John Healey’s first budget as chancellor.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.1% last month, compared with 0.4% growth in July. That confounded a forecast by City economists of a 0.1% contraction.