From the editor
Watch gilts, not just the Bank. Fixed mortgage rates price off government borrowing costs, and this week's political uncertainty is nudging those up even though the Bank held rates yesterday — so if you are refixing, your quote can move on the politics, not only the base rate. Compare with that in mind.
Don't panic-fix your energy. If the Middle-East peace holds, the wholesale gas price that drives your winter bill has room to ease further — so there is no need to rush into a long tariff this week.
When you read "the robots are taking the jobs", ask which jobs. This week's falls are concentrated in retail, not the white-collar roles AI threatens first — a useful filter for a noisy week.
The Playbook is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.
The Playbook turns the edition's analysis into what a competent friend would actually do — process, never position, and this week, a little media literacy too.