April 2005 Archive

Stock market analysis from The Share Centre

A weekly stock market update from The Share Centre.

Seven-month high in mortgage approvals

Data from the Bank of England has shown that mortgages and loans for house purchase rose in March

Mortgage approvals reached a seven-month high in March, according to new figures from the Bank of England.

Charges for repaying mortgages hiked

Redemption fee increases could see mortgage holders pay more to change lenders

A large number of mortgage lenders have increased the cost of paying off mortgages - making switching lenders far more expensive.

Major mortgage problems for 7m Britons

Seven million people have not changed their mortgage since John Major lived in 10 Downing Street

Seven million Britons have not changed their mortgage since John Major was the Prime Minister, new data has revealed.

Londoners paying double for tradesmen

Lodoners are paying double for tradesmen, Skipton has found

Residents of the capital are paying almost twice as much as anyone else for tradesmen, according to new research.

New feature saves £120 a year on line rental

Virgin Mobile has told customers not to pay for their phone twice

Virgin mobile has launched a new feature that allows its pay monthly customers to save up to £120 a year on line rental.

Cyclists need cover this bank holiday

Cyclists need to check their home insurance, as bike theft is set to rise this bank holiday

Bicycle theft has accelerated over the last 12 months, according to Halifax General Insurance, with a 27 per cent jump in claims in last year.

House price growth best in Lib Dem areas

People in Lib Dem held areas have had the best house price growth since the last election

Residents of Liberal Democrat held constituencies have the seen the fastest house price growth since the last general election, Nationwide has revealed today.

Mortgages lenders putting existing customers first?

As increasing numbers of mortgage lenders offer attractive introductory offers to new customers, while making existing borrowers pay for these discounts, some mortgage lenders are breaking the mould and putting their existing customers first.

Move into the black, with new M&S credit card

Black is the new gold, with the launch of the new M&S money &MORE credit card

Being in the black is something most people, and all companies, want to be - and M&S Money is catering to this desire with a new black credit card.

People missing work for sick pets

Pet insurance can help people care for pets when they fall ill

Millions of Britons are missing work to look after ill pets, Direct Line Pet Insurance has found.

Current accounts costing £23m a year too much

Northern Irish residents could save £23m by switching current accounts

Current account customers in Northern Ireland are missing out on £23.2 million a year by not switching banks.

House prices rise as market recovers

House prices rose in April, Nationwide has found

The property market has now bottomed out, with house prices rising again, according to Nationwide.

Voters less than impressed with inheritance tax changes

Most voters would like inheritance tax to be reformed

Eight out of ten voters believe inheritance tax is unfair, despite recent changes, according to new research.

Debt ignorance leaves door open to identity fraud

Most indebted Britons do not know how much they owe

Most of those in debt do not know how much they owe, leaving them vulnerable to identity fraudsters, according to new data.

Star Wars collectables rocket in value

Collectables associated with the Star Wars films are set to leap in value as fans gear up for the latest instalment

As Star Wars fans around the globe gear up for the launch of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith the market for collectables has rocketed.

Neighbours can knock £32,000 from house prices

Who lives next door can have a massive impact on house prices [photo: Pixmedia]

A change of neighbours could knock £32,395 from the value of a home, new figures reveal.

Wash that bank right out of your hair

One Briton in three would rather recommend their shampoo than their bank

Many British consumers are happier with their shampoo than their bank, a new survey has found.

Mortgage lending down

Mortgage lending in March was well below the seasonal average

Mortgage lending in March showed signs of recovery, but was still down 14 per cent on the year before, banks have said.

Seven out of eight pet insurance policies not up to scratch

Most pet insurance policies have major gaps in their cover, Sainsbury's Bank has found

Just one pet insurance policy in eight meets the minimum criteria for cover outlined by Sainsbury's Bank's new Pet Insurance Charter, a survey has found.