2004 Archive

Sainsbury promises to consider all payouts on Tsunami travel insurance

Sainsbury decides Tsunami is not 'act of god'

Some tourists caught up in the tsunami disaster in South East Asia may be able to make claims on their travel insurance, it was revealed today.

Debt repayments a New Year priority for consumers

Alliance & Leicester today published the findings of research carried out in November on consumers' financial priorities for 2005.

New insurance regulations will protect consumers

Insurers will be required to take an integrated view of the risks they face

The Financial Services Authority says the introduction of new regulations for UK insurance firms will provide consumers with greater protection.

Card spending overtakes cash in 2004

The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) has declared the UK a 'Plastic Society' as payments by card overtook cash for the first time.

Conservatives propose inheritance tax reforms

Conservatives: Scrapping the tax is the simplest but most expensive option

The Conservative Party has unveiled a range of options for reforming inheritance tax - including scrapping it altogether.

House price inflation at lowest level for three years

House prices fell 0.2 per cent in December

Annual house price inflation eased to its lowest level for almost three years in December, according to the Nationwide house price survey.

High earning couples spurn pre-nuptial agreements

A survey of high earning couples has found that most do not want a "pre-nup" when they marry.

Mortgage approvals fall by 41%

The number of mortgage approvals fell by 41 per cent in November 2004 (photo: pixmedia)

Figures released today showing a fall in mortgage lending in November provides further evidence of a slowdown in the housing market.

Tories could axe capital gains tax

Capital gains tax: Conservatives have put forward three options for reforming it

Proposals for reforming capital gains tax, including the option of scrapping it altogether, were unveiled today by the Conservative Party.

Property prices to fall in 2005

House prices declined further in December, according to a new survey, confirming expectations that the property market is set for falls in the New Year.

London sees fastest population rise

London and the south-east have witnessed the fastest growing populations in the past ten years, according to the Halifax bank.

All quiet on the house price front in 2005, finds Rics

House prices will rise just three per cent in 2005, according to Rics

House prices will increase by just three per cent next year, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has predicted.

Shoppers comfortable with chip and pin, finds Alliance & Leicester

Shoppers are mostly comfortable with the new chip and pin system, Alliance & Leicester has discovered

Alliance & Leicester has found that the majority of consumers are well prepared for the introduction of chip and pin.

Bristol & West bond investors praying for snow

Snow joke for investors, with bond savers rewarded if there is a white Christmas

An extra £700,000 will be handed out to investors at Bristol & West, if it snows on Christmas day.

Private Christmas parties pose home contents insurance risk, finds Chubb

Home insurance policies might not cover some events during a party

Many home insurance policies do not cover events at private parties, Chubb Insurance has found.

New Year debt warning from Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice is helping people avoid a debt hangover in the New Year, with the use of an online quiz.

Buy-to-let rental yields break £10,000 barrier, finds Paragon Mortgages

The average landlord rental income has risen above £10,000 for the first time since Paragon Mortgage began its Buy-to-Let Index.

Pensions carry-back deadline approaches

People may be winding down for Christmas but things are gearing up for the pensions' carry-back deadline.

House price confidence plummets, finds Prudential

More people now believe that house prices will fall, Prudential has found

The confidence homeowners' in house prices has slumped as the nation speculates about a market crash, according to Prudential.

Hopes higher for interest rate cuts

New information is leading economists to predict the Bank of England could cut in interest rates

Hopes of a cut in interest rates were raised today, following the publication of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee minutes.

Consumer bodies slam fee-charging ATMs

The proliferation of fee-charging ATM machines worries Which? and Citizens Advice

The consumer organisations Which? and Citizens Advice are warning people against the use of fee-paying ATMs.

Shoppers advised to use personal loans not credit cards

Peronal loans are a better way of spending in sales for many, Yorkshire Bank has found

Shoppers are being encouraged to take out a personal loan instead of using store and credit cards.

Home loan reversion plans should be regulated, says Association of British Insurers

The Association of British Insurers is calling for home loan reversion schemes to be regulated

The Association of British Insurers is attempting to further protect consumers by campaigning for the regulation of home loan reversion plans.

Co-op issues festive tips for loans and credit cards

Credit cards can be a great way to spread festive spending, but shoppers need a plan to pay them off

A leading high street bank has issued debt and credit card advice to help consumers manage their personal finance during the Christmas period - and beyond.