January 2011 Archive

Credit cards fund January for 11.5 million Brits

11.5 million Brits fund January with their credit cards

This January, some 11.5 million UK residents turned to their credit cards to get them through the month, according to a new report.

Phone customers advised to check bills

People with a mobile or landline have been told to examine their phone bills for January to check the rate of VAT they have been charged.

Rise in retail sales set to level out

Sales in the retail sector have risen as expected - but these are expected to flatten out over the coming months.

Managing your finances as a mature student

Student finance options are complex for mature students

The cost of studying is rising for all students but the funding options for mature students who have different financial circumstances are even more complex. Kate Saines provides some clarity.

"Shock rise" in number of Britons going cold in winter

Increasing numbers of households ration power to save money

The number of Britons going cold in the winter in a bid to keep energy costs down has risen dramatically, according to new research.

OFT off-grid energy supply study starts

A study focussing on how the off-grid gas market is working for consumers has been bought forward by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Npower customers urged to claim refunds

Consumers urged to claim repayments for 2007 gas bills

Customers of npower are being urged to claim refunds for overpayments in 2007.

Mervyn King warns that UK wages will remain low

Mervyn King says the UK recovery will be led by exports

Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England delivered a speech in Newcastle last night warning that wage settlements in the UK need to remain low to counter inflation.

Consumers 'should ask about inactivity fees'

Inactivity fees are increasingly being charged as part of a range of measures to soften the blow of regulations that will give customers a fairer deal and cost providers up to £300 million per year.

How to recoup the VAT rise

Find out how you can lessen the effects of the VAT increase

With the increase in VAT adding to a big list of financial pressures for UK households, follow our guide to find out the best alternatives to negate the extra VAT costs.

One third of Brits suffer cash shortage

Many Britons are having to spend more than their income each month, research shows

Almost a third of Britons are spending more than their income each month, new research has revealed.

Rents fall for first time in almost a year, figures show

Rents dropped for the first time since January 2010

The cost of renting a property has fallen for the first time since January last year, new figures have revealed.

Leaving TV on 'biggest waste of energy in the home'

Failing to turn off the TV was a common complaint

People failing to turn the television off has been cited as the cause of the most wasted energy in family homes, new research has revealed.

Ofcom calls for cheaper rural broadband

Rural broadband services could improve, it has been claimed

Broadband prices in rural areas of Britain could become cheaper if proposals put forward in an Ofcom report are introduced.

Spending on leisure pursuits falls

Spending at nightclubs and restaurants has fallen in the last six months

In the last six months spending on leisure activities in the UK has fallen dramatically, especially from people aged 25-54, according to consultancy firm Zolfo Cooper.

Cut your energy bills in 2011

Find out how to keep your meter readings low

Energy costs are predicted to rise over the next few years. Find out what practical steps you can take to keep your energy costs low this winter and in the future.

Fuel prices 'forcing drivers to stop using their cars'

Fuel prices are hitting consumers hard, moneysupermarket.com claimed

High fuel prices are causing some drivers to stop using their vehicles, new research has claimed.

Kia tops resale value chart for 2010

The Kia Picanto lost the least amount of value in 2010

The Kia Picanto has come out as the car to lose the least amount of value throughout 2010, new research has revealed.

Rising inflation 'likely to continue'

The Bank of England could be forced to put interest rates up

Rising inflation is a trend that is likely to continue, new research has revealed.

UK unemployment reaches 2.5 million

Unemployment has reached 2.5 million in the Uk

According to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) unemployment in the UK increased by 49,000 to reach 2.5 million at the end of November.