2012 Archive

Christmas paid for on credit by half of UK population

Brits have paid for Christmas on credit, according to Which?

A new survey by consumer group Which? says that almost half of Brits have not paid for Christmas costs directly but have relied on credit to cover the costs.

Resolve for a better financial year in 2013

Go all inclusive for your next holiday and save money

For many people, making a new year's resolution is a light-hearted attempt at ensuring the following year is better than the last but, if you've struggled financially in 2012, resolving to manage your money better in 2013 could have a far-reaching, positive impact on your life.

Shoppers warned "use or lose" local stores as retail sales dip

John Lewis: One of the few retail bright spots

The latest retail sales figures were flat for November and business organisations warned that shoppers need to use local independent stores or risk losing them.

Ofgem must protect consumers on tariffs and prices, say MPs

Ofgem needs to protect consumers, say MPs

A new report from MPs says that the energy regulator Ofgem needs more bite in tackling tariffs and prices offered by the "big six" energy companies.

CBI: Christmas losing sparkle for retailers as shoppers go AWOL

Shoppers are being careful this Christmas, according to the CBI

The CBI has warned that retail sales in the first half of December are less than expected in the run up to Christmas and that the outlook for 2013 is bleak.

HMRC uses 0845 premium numbers to charge taxpayers to wait

Taxpayers are being charged at premium rates while they wait for HMRC to answer

A new report by the National Audit Office has slammed HMRC for charging taxpayers while they are on hold waiting for a staff member to answer their call.

Cable calls for inquiry into collapse of Comet

Comet will trade as a store for the final time today

Business Secretary Vince Cable has called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the purchase of Comet last year by OpCapita and its subsequent collapse.

Ofgem approves £24b energy grid upgrades adding £12 to bills

The National Grid may dispute Ofgem's recommendations

Ofgem has announced that it will allow National Grid and other companies to spend £24 billion upgrading the utilities infrastructure whill will add an average of £12 to a households annual bill.

300,000 more UK households pushed into fuel poverty in 2012

Insulation costs are contributing to higher energy prices

A new report from the Fuel Poverty Action Group estimates that the latest round of energy price rises has pushed 300,000 more UK households into fuel poverty in 2012.

CCC: UK must cut gas reliance or face £600 increase in bills

The UK must invest in renewables, says a new report

A new report from the Committee on Climate Change warns that unless the UK invests in renewable sources the increased demand for gas could add £600 to electricity bills by 2050.

E.On's 8.5% price increase adds £100 to annual dual fuel bill

E.ON has announced that it will raise energy costs from January 18th

E.ON's announcement that it is to raise gas prices by 9.4 per cent and electricity by 7.7 per cent completes this winter's round of price hikes by the "big six".

E.ON announce January energy price hike

E.ON has announced the an energy price increase

E.ON is to increase the cost of gas by 9.4 per cent and the cost of electricity by 7.7 per cent for four million customers from January 18th 2013.

Unwanted Christmas gifts: What are your consumer rights?

Customers have rights if they have been sold poor quality items

As the dust settles on another Christmas many people will be thinking what to do with unwanted gifts. Our guide explains your consumer rights on refunds and returns.

UK on triple-dip recession alert as industrial output slides

A fall in North Sea oil production contributed to falling industrial output

City analysts put the UK economy on triple-dip alert after falling factory output and North Sea oil production led to poor industrial output in October.

Osborne cancels January's 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise

George Osborne has cancelled the 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise

George Osborne has announced that he is to permanently cancel the government's planned 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise scheduled for January.

UK economy could be contracting as service sector growth slows

Activity in the vital services sector stalled in November

There was more bad news for the UK economy this morning as activity in the dominant services sector slowed to its lowest level for 23 months.

Tesco to leave US market as UK sales fall

Tesco saw a drop in UK sales in the third quarter

Tesco is conducting a review of its US business Fresh & Easy with all options open as it suffered a 0.6 per cent drop in UK sales excluding VAT and petrol.

BRC: Retailers hoping for Christmas rush as online sales slow

Retail sales rose by 1.8% in November, according to the BRC

The British Retail Consortium reports a 1.8 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in November, but the third worst set of online sales in 2012.

Inflation means household essentials rise to record £483pw

UK households spent a record amount each week in 2011

Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the average UK household spent £483.60 a week in 2011, up by £10 from 2010.

Supermarkets sign up to new OFT code for fairer promotions

The OFT has drawn up a new code governing supermarket special offers

Eight of the UK's leading supermarkets have signed up to a new Office of Fair Trading voluntary code governing the promotion of discounts and special offers to customers.

Ed Davey's Energy bill aims to cut electricity use by 10%

The Energy Bill aims to cut electricity use by 10% by 2030

Ed Davey has just announced the government's Energy Bill that offers to pay firms for using less energy and to cut electricity use by ten per cent by 2030.

Comet to shut a further 125 stores

The administrators of Comet has announced that a further 125 stores are to close though this could be delayed if a buyer is found.

Annual heating bills up by 63% since 2007 to £587

The cost of heating a home has risen by 63 per cent in just five years

New research shows that the cost of heating a home has increased by 63 per cent in five years to £587 as millions of people prepare to ration heating this winter.

5000 Comet staff could lose jobs just before Christmas

Comet staff could be made redundant a week before Christmas

Unless a buyer is found then the remaining 5,000 Comet staff could be made redundant the week before Christmas, according to the administrators, Deloitte.

E.On fined £1.4m by Ofgem over exit fee charges

Energy firm E.On has been fined £1.4m by Ofgem

The energy regulator Ofegm has fined E.On £1.4 million for charging customers exit fees after price increases. E.On is also paying £300,000 to a consumer fund.

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