Real-life Antiques Roadshow! The ten classic family heirlooms that are now worthless and the surprising ones that could net you a fortune, revealed by top experts

Many of us have antiques, heirlooms or collectables proudly on display or carefully stored away at home that we hope are worth a bob or two.
But experts say many of the treasured pieces you or a family member spent thousands on decades ago may not have delivered the returns hoped for. In fact, some of the most popular antiques have not increased in value at all for more than 40 years – representing a staggering loss in value in real terms. In some cases they are worth less now than they were then. Here are common ones that may hold a place in your heart – but have very little value on today's market.

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Reuters

36 minutes ago

• Reuters

UK could boost growth by radically reshaping the Treasury: Peacock

LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - UK finance minister Rachel Reeves insists higher economic growth is her top priority, but the government's current plan to address the country's chronically low investment is unlikely to be ambitious enough. What may be needed is a structural rethink of the finance ministry itself. Reeves has adjusted her fiscal rules to allow for an extra 113 billion pounds of investment over five years, while remaining committed to ensuring debt falls as a proportion of national income within five years. In the UK government's latest spending plan unveiled last week, she started to allocate the extra capital to areas including defence, housing, transport infrastructure and a new nuclear power plant. Even so, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent fiscal watchdog, UK capital spending will climb to a peak of 3.9% of GDP in 2027/2028 but then fall back in the following two years, continuing a limp public investment record stretching back to the global financial crisis. Reeves is searching for other growth levers, including deregulation and increased UK investment by British pension funds. Additionally, the government is seeking to streamline planning laws and taking steps – albeit small ones – to rebuild trade relations with the European Union. But the government is fundamentally hamstrung by its fiscal rules. Departments are currently required to go cap in hand to the finance ministry to learn what they can spend and then undergo frequent check-ins to see if the fiscal position has deteriorated, which could lead to spending cuts or tax rises. This is not a system that will produce a viable long-term growth strategy. The International Monetary Fund – not known for being a fan of unfettered state spending – said last month that the UK should consider taking a more pragmatic approach to avoid having to change policy too often. The IMF suggested minor breaches should not require instant corrective action and that assessment of the rules should be done no more than once a year. But something more radical is likely required for Britain to break out of the low growth, low productivity loop it has been trapped in for almost two decades. Over this period, debt as a proportion of GDP has almost tripled while the national tax take has held steady, suggesting that part of the problem might be with the way the finance ministry operates. The machinery of government needs recalibration to focus more systematically on productive investment that can ultimately help to drive debt down over time. Reeves is trying on this score. She has asked the OBR to assess the long-term impact of capital spending decisions to determine whether they could improve public finances. She is also changing the Treasury's "Green Book" rules that dictate approval of capital projects, shifting from a narrow cost-benefit analysis to an assessment of the impact on broader strategic goals such as lifting poorer regions of the UK. However, a fundamental issue remains. The Treasury still wields huge influence within the UK government, and when growth falls short, the impulse is typically to tighten the fiscal screws, thereby worsening growth prospects. The Institute for Government, a UK-based think tank, has argued that the economic heft of the prime minister's team needs strengthening as a counterbalance. EU nations – Germany, Spain and the Netherlands among others – have both a finance ministry and a separate, growth-focused economy ministry at the heart of government. Calls for a dramatic change in the Finance Ministry are growing. Maurice Glasman, who heads "Blue Labour", a campaign to reverse what it says is the Labour Party's abandonment of working-class communities, advocates abolishing the Treasury, scrapping fiscal rules and pursuing heavy infrastructure investment. While Glasman's prescription has little chance of being implemented in full, his ideas could gain influence within a government threatened by the rise of Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party, which is targeting traditional Labour voters. Recent opinion polls have given Reform UK 27%-32% public support compared with 22%-24% for Labour. Ensuring public finances do not spiral out of control is, of course, critical for any government. And less oversight by the Treasury could result in wasted taxpayer money spent on unproductive investments that appeal to the political base. Moreover, the bond market has not reacted well to perceived UK fiscal imprudence in recent years, as demonstrated by the rapid demise of Liz Truss's premiership of 2022. But bond investors are apt to respond more positively to a long-term, investment-led approach to reducing public borrowing, even if it involves some upfront spending. It helps that the UK currently faces less political uncertainty than some of its peers and is in the middle of the pack in terms of developed market debt burdens. Reeves appears to understand that an investment-led structural reset is required to jump-start the UK growth engine. But to make that a reality, the first change may need to be rethinking the relationship between the Treasury and the prime minister's office. The opinions expressed here are those of Mike Peacock, the former head of communications at the Bank of England and a former senior editor at Reuters. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), opens new tab, opens new tab, your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis of everything from swap rates to soybeans. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI, opens new tab, opens new tab can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, opens new tab, opens new tab and X., opens new tab

BBC News

36 minutes ago

• BBC News

'Take East seriously', mayor warns government

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has warned the government not to take the region for Bristow says the lack of any mention of improving the Ely rail junction in this month's spending review threatens to undermine the region's ambitions for growth and could "demonstrate the East is not being taken seriously".The government has announced plans to spend £725bn on infrastructure projects over the next decade but so far has said nothing about upgrading the two key rail junctions at Ely in Cambridgeshire and Haughley in sources have told the BBC that a lot of funding has already been announced for the East and more is likely to follow. For some time both the business community and local politicians have described the need to improve Ely and Haughley junctions as "the big ask" for the is now surprise and frustration that in the flurry of spending announcements this month nothing has been said about the two projects, leading to fears that they may have, once again, been a directly elected mayor whose job is to oversee economic growth in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, says the region is a place of "innovation and world-changing breakthroughs"."But if the government thinks success can be taken for granted they are making a costly mistake."He points to more than £400m of rail spending given to rail upgrades in the north of England, pointing out that the investment would return £2.50 for every pound spent, while the Ely improvements would return nearly £5."Nobody doubts the north needs investment (but) when government invests it should do so with value for money in mind. Not funding Ely junction would further demonstrate the East is not being taken seriously." The Liberal Democrat MP for Ely, Charlotte Cane, has also spoken out, saying "the government's failure to fund the Ely junction upgrade is both economically short-sighted and inexcusable"."The chancellor must stop stalling and get this project back on track and fully funded without further delay," she former mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, who now runs the business lobby group Eastern Powerhouse, told the Politics East programme: "I know for a fact that the previous transport secretary backed Ely junction, we know that Labour in opposition campaigned in favour of Ely junction."We get the first spending review of this new government and Ely has disappeared off the face of the map again."Who is actually making the decisions?" More spending expected Government MPs have been keen to stress that the East has already done well out of the spending review, with money for East West rail, Sizewell C, the lower Thames crossing and two regeneration projects in Abbott, the MP for Ipswich, who is also the government's so called 'mission champion', recently told Look East: "We have seen some really big ticket funding announcements along with a big up lift in day-to-day spending for the police, NHS and local government."He said more spending announcements would Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, raised Ely junction in Parliament this week, telling the Treasury Minister Darren Jones: "The project would help not only my constituency but dozens in the east of England, and help drive economic growth in our part of the world."Jones encouraged him to talk to transport ministers about the scheme, saying: "We are absolutely in the business for high value-for-money cases that unlock growth and opportunity in every part of the country."I understand that the Department for Transport plans to announce long-term spending plans for capital projects in July along with a proposed timetable for tell me there will be more money for rail projects but will not confirm if Ely or Haughley are on the £500m, Ely junction is expensive and complicated but publicly and privately local MPs and the business community are continuing to make their case in the hope that after more than 25 years of campaigning this scheme will move forward.

The Sun

an hour ago

• The Sun

B&Q slashes £11 ornament that instantly makes your patio seem bigger – it creates a ‘bold' look & lasts all year round

IF your stuck for space on your garden patio, don't worry as a budget buy can help make it seem bigger. Gardening pros have shared their top tips for maximising your outdoor space this summer. 2 The experts at Living Etc. broke down the best ways to make your patio seem bigger. Garden designer Karen McClure explained that the methods are "tried and tested". So while it may seem like adding plants to your space will cause clutter, it actually works to maximise your space. And Karen recommends one tree in particular for levelling up your patio. "Use ornamental feature trees," she advised anyone struggling with limited outdoor space. "Multi-stem specimens in particular can be kept to a controlled height in a large feature pot, and can create a lovely focal point as well as give interest at a higher level. Be bold." She added that the number of plant varieties should be kept to a minimum. "Too many varieties can create a busy and chaotic feel, whereas a simple planting palette will feel harmonised, soothing, and calm," she said. And if you're looking for a budget-friendly ornamental tree, B&Q has just the thing. The Ornamental Prunus Incisa "Kojo-no-Mai" Fuji Cherry Tree is available for just £10.79. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out Usually referred to as the cherry tree, this plant has a compact, rounded shape and a gently spreading habit. This makes it suitable for planting in small gardens or areas with limited space. Katie pointed out that placing your trees in sleek planters makes sure they only take up a minimal amount of floor space. You can also opt to light your plants at night, giving your space a new lease of life after dusk. She also recommended incorporating mirrors around your patio to reflect your plants. Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% This makes it seem like there are even more plants around your patio area. Mirrors also help to bounce light and create the illusion of additional space. And a £4 Home Bargains buy will help to add a "whimsical touch" to your garden. Plus another tree helps to add privacy to your garden, and it's now cheaper than ever. Or you can add a fast-growing flower to cover eyesore walls and fences in your garden. 2