February 2005 Archive

Home insurance claims rise at the weekend

DIY makes Sundays the most likely day to see claims on home insurance, the Post Office has said

Sundays are normally the most dangerous day for home accidents, but this is not the case on Mothering Sunday, Post Office home insurance has found.

£1,400 more for working parents

Parents could now have more time and money available to bring up their children

The Government has announced plans to raise the amount of maternity leave available by three months - equivalent to a £1,400 boost in maternity income.

First-time buyers hit by stamp duty in 98% of constituencies

Stamp duty is to hit first-time buyers in 98% of UK constituencies

As the last budget before the next general election approaches, Halifax has revealed that stamp duty land tax will hit first-time buyers in 98 per cent of constituencies.

20th century art investments rocket

Is time running out for investments in traditional antiques?

Investments in contemporary art and furniture have rocketed in value, according to a new report.

Credit card minimum payments could cost consumers £1,200

People making just the minimum payment on their credit cards could end up paying back four-times what they first spent, new research claims.

Property owners letting £200m slip through their fingers

Not letting foreign property could be costing owners £200m a year in tax and rent

Owners of second properties lose around £200m each year in income and tax benefits by not letting them out, new research has found.

One in three stocks return 20+ per cent

One in three stocks returns more than 20% to investors each year, Fidleity Investments has found

One in three stocks returns more than 20 per cent to investors, according to Fidelity Investments.

Hometrack sees signs of recovery in house prices

House prices fell in January, but there are increasingly positive signs for the property market, Hometrack has found

A new survey has found encouraging signs in UK house prices.

Liberal Democrats pledge to reform stamp duty

The Liberal Democrats have promised to raise the stamp duty threshold if they win the forthcoming general election.

Big profits should be passed to current account customers

Large profits at major banks have thrown the poor deal offered on current account to some customers into sharp relief.

Appetite for loans stays strong

Mortgage lending fell heavily in January

Britain's borrowing accelerated in January, in the form of credit cards, overdrafts, and other loans.

Minimum wage to rise to £5.30

Not big bucks, but a healthy increase for Britain's worst paid workers

The national minimum wage will rise to £5.30 next year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.

Stock market analysis from The Share Centre

A weekly stock market update from The Share Centre.

Mortgage lending plummets

Mortgage lending fell heavily in January, with record lows in the number of loans approved for home purchases, new figures reveal.

Interest rate rise coming

Another Bank of England insider has hinted at interest rate rises

Rachel Lomax, deputy governor of the Bank of England, has increased speculation that interest rates will be rising in the near future.

Property ownership a key teen target

The nation's teenagers are not thirsting for fame and fortune, but for bricks and mortar

Property ownership is a massive priority for the UK's teenagers, a new report has revealed.

Fixed-rate mortgages rise on Bank of England figures

The cost of fixed-rate mortgages is increasing, as fears mount that the Bank of England will increase interest rates on March 10.

Investors see strong returns from commercial property

Is commercial property the right place to put your money?

People investing in commercial property made an average return of 18 per cent last year, outstripping the equity market and domestic house prices.

Government announces pension free-for-all

The Government has said it will consider all serious proposals to reform pensions

The Government has today announced the principals that will underpin its plans for pension reform, saying it will take seriously all major reform proposals.