Money News

Family incomes 'at four-year low'

25/05/12
Families are now having to contend with their lowest disposable income levels for four years, new research suggests.

HP set to cut 27,000 British jobs

24/05/12
Some 27,000 employees could lose their jobs at Hewlett Packard as it warned of cuts to its UK arm as part of a worldwide purge.

Call to stop free bank accounts

24/05/12
Banks must be told to stop offering free current accounts if Britain wants to stamp out mis-selling scandals, a senior regulator has said.

Sky wins reprieve on film ruling

23/05/12
BSkyB was handed a reprieve by the competition watchdog today after a ruling over the broadcaster's stranglehold on pay-TV movies was reversed.

BoE unanimous on interest rate call

23/05/12
The pressure on Bank of England policymakers was underlined today as minutes revealed their decision not to inject more cash into the...

Inflation falls to two-year low

22/05/12
Savers and hard-pressed households received some relief from rising prices in April, as inflation dropped to its lowest point in over two years.

Financial storm gathering pace

18/05/12
The financial storm on the continent gathered pace today after a key agency slashed the credit ratings of several Spanish banks - including the UK arm of Banco Santander.

4G mobiles could disturb TV signals

17/05/12
The arrival of 4G internet means faster browsing on mobile devices, but on the downside it could affect the TV receptions of almost two million households across the country.

2,800 jobs axed at Clinton cards

17/05/12
Nearly 3,000 jobs are to be axed after the administrators of Clinton Cards announced plans to close 350 stores today.

Fall in number of people out of work

16/05/12
The Government has been given some welcome good news on the jobs front when unemployment fell by 45,000 and the number of dole...

Ofcom in plea over speed information

16/05/12
Ofcom has urged broadband providers to give customers information about connection speeds without having to be prompted.

Poorest families 'suffer most'

11/05/12
The poorest families have been hit hardest by inflation as the cost of basics such as food and energy take their toll, according to a recent study.

Families struggling to pay bills

09/05/12
Almost three and a half million families in Britain are unable to pay bills without heading further into debt, according to new research.

Workers stage protest against BAE

02/05/12
Employees of defence firm BAE Systems are set to lobby company investors in London in protest against confirmed job losses.

Footy fans 'hit hard by price rise'

01/05/12
As well as the cost of basic essential prices rising, new research has shown that leisure activities are more expensive now than they were a decade ago.

O2 launches new digital wallet

26/04/12
Traditional wallets and purses may become much lighter as a new digital version is being launched to make it easier for people...

UK economy returns to recession

25/04/12
In a major blow to the government's economic recovery plans, figures released today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)...

Men 'stress more about finance'

25/04/12
A new survey has revealed that more men than women worry about their finances rather than acting to improve them.

Families' spending power hit again

24/04/12
The spending power of families continued to fall during March to reach its lowest level for more than a year, according to a regular study.

1,000 new job losses hit UK workers

24/04/12
More than 1,000 people look set to lose their jobs in a new wave of redundancy announcements hitting the UK economy.

Cash flow fears for students: NUS

23/04/12
University students are becoming increasingly worried about not having enough cash to cover their living costs, according to a new survey.

Britons 'need greater incomes'

18/04/12
A study has revealed that the average Briton has an "income gap" of £411 a month between the pay that they earn from work and...

Recession claims million youth jobs

18/04/12
The recession has resulted in the loss of almost a million jobs in manufacturing, construction and hospitality, according to the Trades Union Congress.

Competition for graduate jobs rises

17/04/12
The number of applicants for graduate jobs in the UK has risen from 15 per job to 20 on average in the past year.

Shop deals drop increases inflation

17/04/12
A fall in the number of supermarket promotions saw the rate of inflation unexpectedly rise last month, official figures revealed today, piling more pressure on hard-pressed families.

Inflation lowers UK basic wage

17/04/12
The national minimum wage for British employees will be lower than it was in 2004 once inflation is taken into account, according to a new report.

Graduate starting pay 'falling'

16/04/12
Pay rates for entry-level graduate jobs are set to fall this year to their lowest level since 2003, a new report has revealed.

Construction sector boosts economy

13/04/12
The construction sector returned to growth in February but failed to offset fears over the pace of the economic recovery in the first three months of the year.

Oil costs hit factory gate prices

13/04/12
Factory gate prices rose in March as a result of growing oil costs, new research indicates.

Mothercare to close more stores

12/04/12
Mothercare has announced that it will close another 111 UK stores, affecting 730 jobs, after sales continued to fall.

Citizens advice bureau empowered

12/04/12
Citizens Advice is to be given an enhanced role under proposals to make consumer protection for the public more user-friendly, the Government has announced.

Services sector boosts UK economy

04/04/12
The UK appears to have dodged another recession after stronger than expected growth in the powerhouse services sector in March, a survey claims.

Free 0800 mobile calls proposed

04/04/12
Calls to 0800 telephone numbers could be free from mobiles in a bid to tackle consumer confusion about costs, Ofcom has announced.

UK economy boosted by construction

03/04/12
The nation's builders saw new orders rise at the fastest rate in four-and-a-half years last month, a survey said today, further boosting hopes that the UK has dodged another recession.

Value of settlement pay deals rises

29/03/12
A new study suggests that more than half of pay deals around the beginning of the year had a value of at least 3 per cent, while just one-fifth was worth 4 per cent or higher.

2,000 jobs go as Game shuts up shop

27/03/12
Some 2,104 jobs will be lost this week as retailer Game closes almost half of its stores.

Families '£10 a week worse off'

23/03/12
After five months of improvements in the Asda Income Tracker, families were £10 a week worse off in February than they were a year ago.

TalkTalk 'causes most complaints'

23/03/12
TalkTalk was the landline provider which Ofcom received most complaints about in the closing quarter of last year, according to new data.

Osborne's budget challenged by IFS

22/03/12
George Osborne's changes to the tax code will mean an extra 1.3 million people will be placed into the higher 40p income tax band, according to an economic think-tank.

Inflation falls to 15-month low

20/03/12
Inflation fell to a 15-month low in February, according to the latest official figures.

Reduced profits for big five banks

20/03/12
The financial sector is facing further job losses after the combined profits of the UK's five biggest banks were slashed, analysts have warned.

Taxpayers to get spending statement

20/03/12
Every taxpayer is to receive a personal statement spelling out exactly how much of their income is paid to the state and what it is being spent on.

Credit records to include rent payments

19/03/12
A new scheme could help renters improve their credit history.

Value brands necessity for well-off

16/03/12
They may have above-average incomes and own second homes, but even this group of earners is having to switch to value or own-brand products to make ends meet.

Savers missing out on ISA interest

13/03/12
Research has suggested that savers are missing out by not making full use of their cash ISA allowance.

Game 'in danger of collapsing'

12/03/12
UK games retailer Game has said it could be pushed into administration as it faces severe supply problems.

Bank holds interest rates at 0.5%

08/03/12
Interest rates have been held at a record low of 0.5 per cent for the 36th month in a row amid evidence that the benefits to borrowers are slipping away.

MPs call for payday loans clampdown

07/03/12
Action on "opaque and poorly regulated" payday lenders and firms who manage commercial debt needs to be more robust, according to MPs.

Millions to receive PPI letters

06/03/12
Banks have been told that they must write to customers who were mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), even if they have not complained.

Ofcom plans to tackle 'bill shock'

02/03/12
Over recent months pay deals have climbed by 3 per cent with some settlements worth more than 4 per cent, research has shown.

Ofcom plans to tackle 'bill shock'

02/03/12
Telecommunications companies are being urged to make their tariffs more transparent and set a financial limit for mobile phone usage in a bid to tackle the problem of "bill shock".

UK's economy being viewed with renewed optimism

01/03/12
A market research firm has claimed that its latest survey has revealed grounds for "cautious optimism" when it comes to how Britons view the country's economic recovery as well as their own finances.

Barclays receives most complaints

29/02/12
Barclays received more complaints than any other bank in the closing six months of last year, figures show.

Financial service complaints 'down'

28/02/12
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has said that just over 100,000 people submitted complaints about financial services companies between July and December 2011, a third fewer than in the previous six months.

New smartphone for checkout payment

27/02/12
A new smartphone will act as a mobile wallet, enabling shoppers to pay at the checkout using handsets.

'Digital wallet' system unveiled

23/02/12
Customers could soon be able to pay in shops by swiping their mobile phone at the till, it has been revealed.

Peacocks sold out of administration

23/02/12
The Peacocks name has been saved, along with 6,000 jobs at 388 shops, after administrators found a buyer for the ailing high street chain.

Money 'soon to be sent via phone'

22/02/12
New technology linking our mobile numbers and account numbers is set to be in place before the end of the year. The Payments Council says customers...

Smartphones set for 4G coverage

22/02/12
Orange and T-Mobile have promised to spend more than £1.5 billion over the next three years to upgrade their network coverage.

Fifth have no cash after bills paid

20/02/12
Britons' spending power has tumbled, to the point where almost one in five has no cash left over once essentials have been covered.

70 per cent of families 'close to poverty'

17/02/12
More than two thirds of families are living "on the edge" of financial collapse, according to new research.

Banks 'will change or break up'

17/02/12
Unless banks do more to stimulate competition within the savings sector, officials have warned they will take a "radical approach".

Consumer spirits lifted in January

16/02/12
A rebound in consumer confidence in January has shown that the underlying economy is stronger than previously thought, according to building society Nationwide.

Student loan fee 'to be scrapped'

16/02/12
Plans to hand penalties to students who cover the cost of their university loans early are expected to be ditched by the Government.

Unemployment rate at 16-year high

15/02/12
The number of unemployed Britons rose by 48,000 in the quarter to December to 2.67 million, a jobless rate of 8.4 per cent. Read more >>

Recession dodged, growth uncertain

15/02/12
The UK should narrowly avoid a recession but it is "steering a course through choppy waters", the Bank of England has said. Read more >>

Inflation drops to 3.6% in January

14/02/12
The UK's rate of inflation fell from 4.2 per cent in December to 3.6 per cent last month, the lowest level in 14 months, new figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown. Read more >>

450 job losses on Comet horizon

10/02/12
Some 450 jobs could be shed at electricals chain Comet, which posted losses of £22 million for six months trading last year. Read more >>

Lloyds announces 1,000 job cuts

08/02/12
Plans to axe nearly 1,000 jobs at Lloyds Banking Group and close three offices have been described as "devastating". Read more >>

BT told to cut line rental costs

07/02/12
Consumers could benefit from lower broadband and telephone costs, following an Ofcom decision. Read more >>

Tesco current account 'delayed'

06/02/12
Reports have suggested that the launch of Tesco Bank current accounts has been postponed. Read more >>

Fresh jobs blow for drugs industry

03/02/12
More job losses in the pharmaceuticals industry are set to add to the growing number of unemployed people in the UK. Read more >>

27% 'raided savings for christmas'

02/02/12
More than one in four Britons dived into their savings to help cover the cost of Christmas, a study has revealed. Read more >>

BT rapped for 'most reliable' claim

01/02/12
BT has been told it cannot claim it provides "the UK's most reliable wireless connection". Read more >>

Tougher regulation for payday loans

30/01/12
Payday lenders who breach regulations could face tougher actions once the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)... Read more >>

Wage rises end salary squeeze

02/02/12
More than one in four Britons dived into their savings to help cover the cost of Christmas, a study has revealed. Read more >>

Pension sell-by date 'has expired'

30/01/12
The Government should look at ways to make workplace pensions more flexible, according to the Saga director general. Read more >>

Average family '£12 a week poorer'

27/01/12
Poorer employment conditions have contributed to the average family being £12 a week worse off than they were a year ago. Read more >>

MoD job cuts 'to cost £850 million'

27/01/12
The Government's decision to axe thousands of jobs at the Ministry of Defence could cost the taxpayer more than £850 million... Read more >>

'Job fears' for middle managers

26/01/12
As fears of another recession grow, new research suggests that middle managers are the workers who are most... Read more >>

Laws call for rich to pay more tax

23/01/12
The highest earners should pay more tax to cushion the squeeze on low-income households, former coalition Cabinet minister David Laws said.

Unemployment reaches 17-year high

19/01/12
Official figures have shown that unemployment reached its highest level since 1994 in the three months to November.

Premier Foods announces job losses

18/01/12
Premier Foods has warned that it is looking to lose 600 jobs, or 5 per cent of its workforce, as it tries to save £40 million by 2013.

Price war fuels inflation drop

18/01/12
November saw a boost for mortgage lending, a trade association has said, with the number of homeowners taking fixed-rate...

Price war fuels inflation drop

17/01/12
The biggest inflation drop in nearly three years was triggered by several high street promotions ahead of Christmas, figures suggest.

House demand met by offers fall

17/01/12
A "pent-up" demand for property has been countered by the number of new homes on sale falling to the lowest level in over 10 years, research suggests.

Mortgage payment levels low - Study

17/01/12
Healthy levels of mortgage payments have been revealed in a survey by Halifax, with typical payments in parts of Scotland and the north of England taking up under 20 per cent of disposable incomes.

Jobs saved after Barratts collapse

16/01/12
More than 1,000 jobs at the embattled Barratts shoe chain have been saved, it has been revealed.

Wonga withdraws student information

12/01/12
Wonga has removed information on student finances from its website after it was alleged that it was targeting students for high-interest loans.

Public 'cuts credit card spending'

12/01/12
Consumers have managed to cut down credit card spending while still increasing their number of purchases, research has shown.

Little Chef to close 67 restaurants

12/01/12
Little Chefs have long been a fixture of cross-country motorway journeys, however drivers will soon have fewer of them to choose from.

Virgin to upgrade broadband speeds

11/01/12
Millions of Virgin Media customers will soon enjoy faster broadband speeds, it has been revealed.

TV license plan could cut 350 jobs

11/01/12
Plans to relocate TV Licensing work could put hundreds of people at risk of redundancy, it has been announced.

Jobless households 'rise by third'

11/01/12
Nearly a third of households in cities such as Liverpool, Nottingham and Glasgow are entirely jobless, new research has found.

House sellers 'must be realistic'

10/01/12
More houses entered the market in December, but "unrealistic" asking prices will reduce the chances of many of them being...

Regulatory 'alphabet soup' attacked

09/01/12
The finance sector needs a consumer gateway similar to the government service DirectGov, according to the head of...

Virgin launches savings accounts

06/01/12
New savings accounts are being offered in Northern Rock branches for the first time since Virgin Money took over the business.

House prices 'fell 1.3% in 2011'

06/01/12
Average house prices dropped by 1.3 per cent last year following a monthly decline of 0.9 per cent between November and December...

House approvals hit two-year high

06/01/12
More mortgages could be made available to people who have smaller deposits this year, a Bank of England survey has revealed.

House approvals hit two-year high

05/01/12
House purchase approvals have reached their highest level for almost two years, but experts have warned that this will be hard...

Families 'to be worse off by 2015'

04/01/12
A new report has warned of a bleak future for couples with two children as it said by 2015 families will "shoulder the burden...

Faster payments for UK consumers

03/01/12
UK consumers are now able to take advantage of faster internet and phone banking payments allowing them to pay off tax and...

Co-op scraps overdraft charges

03/01/12
People looking to get back on their feet financially in the new year may be attracted to the Co-operative Bank following the...

House prices fluctuate across UK

03/01/12
A survey by Halifax has given a clear picture of house price fluctuations in different UK towns and cities.

Few 'know about savings protection'

03/01/12
Just a fifth of people know how much of their savings would be protected in the event that their bank collapsing.

Workers' earnings on the slide

30/12/11
Some workers have seen the value of their earnings drop by more than 25% over the last four years, latest figures have shown.

First-Time Buyers At Record Low

29/12/11
The number of first-time buyers in the UK has fallen to a record low as people have to put down such big deposits..

Britons 'Hope For Sales Savings'

28/12/11
Most Britons will be looking to spend-to-save this year, with many targeting the January sales as the time to do their shopping...

Consumers Pay Down Credit Card Debt

28/12/11
The British public have again sought to bolster their finances by paying off more on their credit cards than they spent..

£1bn paid out in PPI compensation

22/12/11
The banking industry has paid out over £1 billion in compensation during the first 10 months of 2011 to consumers who...

England 'faces rise in empty homes'

21/12/11
Over the course of 12 months, the number of empty homes went up by almost 12,000 in England, new figures show.

UK's human capital on the decline

21/12/11
The worth of the UK workforce in terms of economic value has gone into decline for the first time in nine years...

Unemployment 'Will Continue Rising'

28/12/11
An extra 120,000 people will find they have no job during 2012, a report suggests..

Cheque cards 'won't make comeback'

21/12/11
The Payments Council has confirmed that cheque guarantee cards will not be re-introduced after revealing that consumers...

Riot payout claimants still waiting

21/12/11
Thousands of households and businesses are still waiting for compensation from police authorities to pay for damage caused...

Ten cities vying for broadband cash

20/12/11
The Government has named 10 major UK cities eligible to fight it out for a share of £100 million to boost broadband speeds.

Calls for insurance payout reforms

20/12/11
Insurance claimants who experience payment delays should be compensated by their policy provider, the Law Commission has indicated.

Survey reveals diminishing incomes

19/12/11
Britons' spending power has shrunk for the fifth year in a row, according to a new Bank of England survey.

FSA lending plans backed by CML

19/12/11
Plans to make lending more responsible and cut down on borrower "nightmares" have been broadly welcomed although fears...

Mortgage restrictions loosened

19/12/11
Mortgage lending restrictions are to be loosened to allow those stuck in negative equity to upgrade their homes.

November rise for first-time buyers

19/12/11
Estate agents made fewer property sales in November than they managed during the previous month, although first-time buyer...

Savings payouts reach £26 billion

16/12/11
Savers have won a combined total of almost £26 billion in compensation over the last 10 years, it has been revealed.

Record spend expected this December

15/12/11
It seems Britons are determined to keep the magic of Christmas alive, despite having had a cash-strapped year - Barclays predicts...

December cash withdrawals soar

15/12/11
It seems us Britons are opting to flash the cash rather than pay by plastic this year, as the nation withdrew 6.6 per cent more...

Recession 'will prompt more crime'

14/12/11
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has warned of a rise in crime if the country falls back into another recession.

CPI rate falls to 4.8% in November

13/12/11
Falling food and petrol costs have helped bring the rate of inflation down from a peak of 5 per cent in October, official figures show.

Mortgage approvals at two-year high

13/12/11
The number of people granted loans for house purchase has risen to its highest level since the end of 2009, figures show.

Savings 'used to fund christmas'

12/12/11
Britons are increasingly relying on their savings to pay for Christmas celebrations and heat their homes during the holiday...

New allowances for ISA savers

09/12/11
Fresh ISA allowances are to be issued for savers with money stuck in collapsed banks.

House prices static but deals up

09/12/11
House prices stayed constant last month although transactions actually increased by 4.5 per cent, with prices in the year...

Housing market activity decreases

09/12/11
The housing market suffered a fall in activity in October, figures revealed today, despite mortgages becoming more affordable...

Cameron vetoes EU treaty change

09/12/11
The UK will not be part of measures to tackle the financial crisis in Europe after Prime Minister David Cameron voted against...

Bank keeps interest rates on hold

08/12/11
The Bank of England put more emergency medicine for the UK economy on hold today, despite more evidence that the recovery is grinding to a halt.

Bank account changes under attack

08/12/11
A consumer watchdog has criticised Barclays and RBS for introducing changes to their basic bank accounts.

44% have no money for christmas

07/12/11
A new survey has found that Britons are prepared to sell old Christmas presents or even turn off the heating to afford this year's celebrations.

Savings balances booming, says BSA

30/11/11
Mortgage lending has increased and savings balances have boomed, according to the Building Societies Association (BSA).

Incomes to shrink for two years

30/11/11
A predicted squeeze on incomes in households in real terms will last for at least another two years.

Britons pay £9bn off mortgage debt

30/11/11
Britons are paying off their mortgages at record levels in response to low savings rates, fears about the economy and...

Stamp duty holiday comes to end

30/11/11
The holiday is well and truly over for first-time buyers - the stamp duty holiday, that is.

Mortgage approvals rise in October

30/11/11
More house buyers are being given approval to take out a mortgage, official figures have revealed.

Family costs rise over transport

29/11/11
Higher transport prices and rents are the main reason for an increase of nearly £20 in the weekly outgoing of families who were...

House prices up 0.4% in November

29/11/11
UK property prices increased by 0.4 per cent in November, according to new figures.

House price fall pressures Osborne

29/11/11
The Chancellor is under more pressure to take action to boost the housing market after data showed house prices fell further in October.

UK house sales 'muted in 2011'

28/11/11
This year's total house sales figure could end up being nearly 50 per cent lower than that recorded in 2007, new research suggests.

Call for ISA boost to aid savers

28/11/11
People should be allowed to save more tax-free cash as savers struggle in the harsh economic climate, the boss of an over-50s organisation has said.

Families 'need £25,000 a year'

25/11/11
Families with two or more children need to bring home almost £25,000 a year just to get by, due to "astronomical" living costs...

Britons are 'happier with banks'

25/11/11
Customers are more satisfied with bank services than they were a year ago, a study has shown.

Brits 'won't cut festive spending'

24/11/11
A new survey has shown that the economic crisis will not stop the majority of Britons from spending the same amount on Christmas as usual.

Families worse off by £13 says Asda

24/11/11
Under pressure families are £13 a week worse off than they were a year ago, as deteriorating employment conditions and...

10% first-time buyer deal on offer

24/11/11
A new deal for first-time home buyers has seen an increase in market competition for customers with a 10 per cent deposit.

Consumers paying off credit cards

24/11/11
Credit card users paid off more money than they spent during October, according to new figures.

Biggest discounts on homes in years

23/11/11
Homeowners are becoming more realistic and more desperate about selling their properties as the winter approaches, according to Zoopla.co.uk.

Store card changes announced

22/11/11
Deals for customers to sign up for store cards means shops will no longer offer discounts, but the interest rate charged on the...

House asking prices fall rapidly

21/11/11
Homeowners hoping to move have dropped their asking prices by the largest cash amount for nearly four years, a report has shown.

Women 'worry more about money'

21/11/11
Men are more likely to talk about money issues and are less stressed about financial problems than women, a new study has found.

Virgin and Rock deposits protected

18/11/11
Savers who have deposits with both Northern Rock and Virgin Money will not have their financial compensation protection...

Over forties keep secret savings

18/11/11
Secretive spouses over 40 are hiding more than £1,000 in savings from their partner, research shows.

Visa predicts festive spending rise

17/11/11
It seems consumers are not yet embracing the Christmas shopping cheer, as Visa card purchases stand at 10 per cent lower than...

Consumer confidence at all-time low

17/11/11
The fallout from the eurozone crisis and mounting pressure on household budgets has seen consumer confidence plunge to...

Stamp duty exemption 'must remain'

17/11/11
Lenders want first-time buyers to stay exempt from paying stamp duty or risk worsening the already precarious housing market.

Unemployment rate hits 2.62 million

16/11/11
Official figures have shown that more than one million young people were out of work in the quarter to September as overall...

Inflation fall for 2011, says ONS

15/11/11
The cost of living fell from 5.2 per cent in Spetmber to 5 per cent in October, the Officie of National Statistics has announced.

Majority 'fear new UK recession'

15/11/11
The prospect of a new recession is a cause of concern for two-thirds of British consumers, new survey results indicate.

CBI calls for mortgage innovations

15/11/11
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for the introduction of new measures to support the country's struggling first-time buyers.

Boom in market towns house prices

14/11/11
A study has shown that property prices in market towns have increased by around £1,000 month by month over the last decade.

Mortgage approvals remain stable

14/11/11
Mortgage approvals in September were stable, but the eurozone crisis is still shrouding the sector in uncertainty, according to lenders.

Court rejects man's property appeal

09/11/11
The Supreme Court has ruled that a man who left his partner 18 years ago is entitled to just 10 per cent of the value...

Below inflation pay rises expected

08/11/11
Employers are exercising caution when it comes to salaries, meaning workers are likely to receive another below-inflation pay rise next year.

Concern despite housing market rise

08/11/11
More UK surveyors reported that property sales were on the rise rather than declining in October but the future for the...

Britons 'neglect mortgage options'

08/11/11
Bank of England policymakers are expected to resist introducing emergency measures before the end of the year.

Bank policy to remain unchanged

07/11/11
Bank of England policymakers are expected to resist introducing emergency measures before the end of the year.

Property prices increase by 1.2%

07/11/11
Halifax has revealed house prices increased by 1.2 per cent in October, after a mixed year of highs and lows in the market...

Many 'unaware of FirstBuy scheme'

07/11/11
More than a third of first-time buyers haven't heard of the Government's FirstBuy scheme, which helps people get on the property ladder...

Multi-currency card 'is the future'

04/11/11
A prepaid card that can be used for 14 different currencies has been hailed as a game-changer for foreign exchange.

NS&I to offer accounts directly

04/11/11
National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has revealed plans to deal with its savings account holders directly, rather than through the Post Office.

New bond pays interest up front

03/11/11
A new savings bond that pays customers' interest up front has been launched by one of the large high street banks.

Children in care given £200 ISAs

02/11/11
Disadvantaged youngsters will be given their own savings accounts under the new Junior Isa scheme.

Barclays extends mortgage range

02/11/11
One of the UK's biggest mortgage lenders has announced plans to extend its range of buy-to-let deals.

FSA structured products proposals

02/11/11
New guidance on the sale of structured products is being proposed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Youngsters 'have larger debts'

02/11/11
British youngsters are facing a bleaker future than previous generations as they are building up debts earlier on in life and finding it harder...

Internet traffic rises sevenfold

02/11/11
The flow of data across the internet in the UK is seven times greater than it was five years ago, a report by telecoms regulator Ofcom has revealed.

House prices up but market subdued

01/11/11
Property prices increased slightly last month but the market remains subdued, latest data reveals.

Concerns over junior ISA impact

01/11/11
Families on low to middle incomes might still struggle to build up adequate savings in the future, despite the launch of the Junior ISA this week.

Britons 'to reduce christmas spend'

01/11/11
The tough economic climate is set to have an effect on seasonal household outgoings, with 75 per cent of adults planning to spend less...

Fall in approved mortgage numbers

01/11/11
The number of mortgage approvals for house purchases fell in September for the first time in six months, according to official figures.

Junior ISA accounts launched

31/10/11
BT has unveiled plans to roll out superfast broadband across the UK by 2014, a year earlier than previously proposed.

Junior ISA accounts launched

31/10/11
The junior ISA, which launches later this week, will provide the parents of up to six million children with the chance to...

Rise in rate of house price falls

31/10/11
House price falls accelerated this month as demand fell back with consumers concerned about the economy, a report from...

Barclays launches mortgage deals

27/10/11
Barclays has rolled out a number of fee-free, fixed-rate mortgage deals at a time when many aspiring first-time buyers are struggling...

Britons 'are tightening finances'

26/10/11
Households are being more careful with their money and restricting borrowing, according to figures.

Tenants 'trapped' in rented homes

24/10/11
More than half of tenants would like to own their own home but cannot afford to do so, a report has found.

Higher allowance for ISA savers

21/10/11
The Government has announced it will be increasing next year's ISA allowance - a decision welcomed by savings experts.

£149bn 'spent on small luxuries'

21/10/11
Households around Britain spent £149 billion on small luxuries in the last year, with a typical household spending £5,850, a survey found.

1 in 3 to opt out of pension scheme

20/10/11
Up to a third of employees could opt out of the new automatic enrolment scheme for pensions if they are not informed properly...

Tax break plea to prompt downsizing

19/10/11
A campaign group is pressing for tax breaks to prompt older people to move into smaller homes so that younger generations can...

Bank governor calms inflation fears

19/10/11
The UK's high levels of inflation should begin to fall next year, according to the governor of the Bank of England.

Cost of living hits record high

18/10/11
The cost of living is at a record high after inflation soared to 5.2 per cent last month.

Asda cuts prices in supermarket war

17/10/11
Any doubts that a price war is underway between the supermarket giants have been dispelled by Asda, which has vowed to...

Britons saving 12 per cent more a month

13/10/11
The age-old mantra of putting it away for a rainy day appears to be ringing truer than ever, as Britons are saving 12 per cent more each month than a year ago.

Chelsea launches offset mortgages

12/10/11
The introduction of Chelsea Building Society to the offset market could provide welcome news to prospective home buyers...

Card spending 'outweighs saving'

12/10/11
While savers have struggled to build up sizeable lump sums in a difficult economic climate, new figures suggest that people now...

Fewer properties on the market

12/10/11
Fears over the state of the UK economy caused fewer homeowners to put their property on the housing market last month.

Aberdeen is buoyed by oil boom

11/10/11
An oil boom has seen Aberdeen residents enjoy the fastest rise in disposable income across the UK in recent years, it has been revealed.

Rise in Visa card spending recorded

10/10/11
In a rare piece of positive economic news, it has emerged that the amount people have been spending on their Visa cards in the last few months has grown.

Cash machine decision questioned

10/10/11
Bank restrictions on how customers withdraw their money at cash machines have been questioned by MPs.

1m more households 'facing debt'

07/10/11
Around 11.5 million UK households are struggling to keep on top of their bills, an increase of more than one million from 2010, research suggests.

Dramatic fall in card fraud losses

07/10/11
In the first six months of 2011, UK card fraud losses fell markedly, according to the latest figures.

Worst ever warning as rates held

07/10/11
The UK could be facing "the most serious financial crisis" ever seen, the governor of the Bank of England has warned after unveiling...

PM rewrites debt repayment speech

05/10/11
David Cameron has been forced into a hasty rewrite of his speech to the Conservative conference after a key passage was...

Shop price inflation 'holds steady'

05/10/11
The rising cost of food helped keep the rate of shop price inflation at the same level last month as it was in August, the latest figures show.

UK ISA sales reach £177 million

05/10/11
ISA sales have reached a total of £177 million, new figures show.

City living comes at a high price

04/10/11
Men indulge themselves more than women and spend £18 more on themselves every month than their female counterparts, according to a new survey.

City living comes at a high price

04/10/11
The cost of a swanky city pad has reached a record high, having gone up by £131 a week in the last decade.

Babies cost £2,100 before birth

03/10/11

New research shows that couples expecting a child spend a significant amount of money even before the child is born.

Rise in mortgage approvals recorded

29/09/11
House prices continued to "tread water" last month with a 0.1 per cent rise, mortgage lender Nationwide said.

'Small rise' in consumer confidence

30/09/11
Consumer confidence has risen slightly over the course of September, new research suggests

Houses fall to typical £162,000

29/09/11
House prices in England and Wales dropped 0.3 per cent last month, leaving the typical home going on the market for just over £162,000.

Loans: Here today, gone tomorrow

29/09/11
Banks have warned that while more credit has been on offer to households this summer, loans may not be as readily available in the future.

Third 'to use home as pension'

28/09/11
One third of over-50s plan to use their home as their pension, despite the recent squeeze on house prices, research found today.

Barclays still tops complaint table

28/09/11
Barclays has maintained the undesirable accolade of being the most complained-about bank in the UK, with more than...

Terraced house price 'rises more'

28/09/11
The average price of a terraced house in the UK has increased at a greater rate over the past 10 years than any other type of housing...

Family income drops by £14 a week

27/09/11
British families "have never had it so tough" according to a prominent retailer, after it emerged households have £14 a week less than they did a year ago.

Freshers 'lack basic life skills'

27/09/11
The current crop of university freshers are short of many basic life skills, the latest research suggests.

'Pay remains low' despite inflation

23/09/11
The average rise in already "historically low" wages over the past year has amounted to just 2.2 per cent, despite inflation running...

Younger first-time buyers up north

26/09/11
A report has suggested that people in the North are stepping onto the property ladder at a younger age than those in London.

TalkTalk worst firm for complaints

23/09/11
New figures suggest British consumers are paying off more debt and spending less on their credit cards - a sign that, amid the...

TalkTalk worst firm for complaints

23/09/11
Broadband provider TalkTalk registered the most customer complaints against it, for both its internet and landline services...

Tesco 'to delay mortgage launch'

22/09/11
Tesco now looks unlikely to enter the UK mortgage market until after the 2011 festive season, it has been suggested.

Bank offers prize of £6m to savers

22/09/11
Savings account users at Halifax bank are being offered the chance to win a share of £6 million, in an attempt to promote and boost the savings market.

Consumer confidence hit by looting

21/09/11
Potential first-time mortgage customers may be feeling a sense of renewed optimism after the Post Office announced massive rate cuts.

Consumer confidence hit by looting

21/09/11
Consumer confidence is now 30 per cent below average thanks to the recent riots and uncertainty in the global markets, a survey has found.

Minister's call over empty homes

20/09/11
A minister has unveiled proposals which could change the way council tax is charged on empty homes.

Pension confidence hits record low

20/09/11
New research has shown that in the aftermath of recession, the public's faith in pension schemes has decreased.

Eurozone 'threatens UK mortgages'

20/09/11
The sovereign debt crisis swamping eurozone nations will lead to less money being made available to UK mortgage seekers...

Fewer teenagers taking gap years

20/09/11
'Grey gappers' are now more likely to take an extended break or gap year than teenagers, according to figures.

Call for better OAP savings deal

19/09/11
A minister has called for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to do more to help pensioners get a fair deal on their savings.

Hopeful home buyers left hanging

19/09/11
Homeowners are increasingly leaving prospective buyers "gazanged" by deciding not to sell at the 11th hour.

Software tracks down stolen laptop

19/09/11
A quick-thinking student has traced her stolen laptop using free tracking software.

Rugby fans to spend £1,176 a week

16/09/11
Fans travelling to New Zealand to watch the Rugby World Cup will spend an average £1,176.33 a week, on top of the cost of tickets...

Consumers neglect use of passwords

14/09/11
Consumers are leaving themselves open to online fraud by not protecting their mobile computer devices such as laptops...

Pension age rise brought forward

13/09/11
Plans to increase the retirement age to 67 will be brought forward by the Government, pension minister Steve Webb has revealed.

Ofcom bans rolling broadband and phone contracts

13/09/11
Broadband and landline contracts that tie customers into long-term deals are to be banned from the end of the year, regulator Ofcom has said.

Inflation rises to 4.5 per cent in August

13/09/11
Soaring energy bills and increased clothing costs helped to push inflation even higher in August, figures have shown.

Average Debt For Youth: £2,254

13/09/11
The number of house sales recorded nationwide hit a two-year low last month, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).

Average Debt For Youth: £2,254

06/09/11

Many 18 and 19-year-olds are entering adulthood owing significant amounts of money, a debt advice service has reported.

Call for quick account switching

12/09/11

People and businesses wanting to change banks should be able to switch accounts within seven days, the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has recommended.

Downturn hits pension contribution

08/09/11

The recession resulted in fewer people paying into personal pensions last year, a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.

Interest rates stay where they are

08/09/11

The expected printing of cash, or "quantitative easing", by the Bank of England to help the economy will not be done, although the historically low base rate of interest is being kept at 0.5 per cent.

NS&I withdraws savings certificate

07/09/11

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has taken the decision to withdraw its index-linked savings certificate following its launch just four months ago.

Sainsbury's Unveils New Credit Card

06/09/11

Regular Sainsbury's shoppers are being offered the chance to gain double Nectar points for two years, by signing up for the firm's latest credit card.

Virgin Money in running for Lloyds

12/09/11

Virgin Money may bid for Lloyds Banking Group's 632 up-for-sale branches, according to a Sunday newspaper.

RBS bans low-income customers using rival bank's cash machines

18/08/11
Thousands of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) customers who hold basic bank accounts will only be able to withdraw money from...