Easier Finance | Mortgages, credit cards, insurance, savings, investments

first direct has launched a market leading offset tracker mortgage which tracks the bank of England base rate plus 2.48% for the life of the loan.

Meeting the cost of a comfortable lifestyle is a bigger financial concern than dwindling savings for the nation, with 6.7 million people happy to raid their savings and investments to cover day-to-day outgoings, according to a study by LV=.

British Gas has unveiled plans to create 2,600 skilled new jobs by 2012. The new recruits will lead the roll-out of smart meter technology across Britain - the biggest revolution in home energy use for decades.

Some airlines are adding up to £10 to the cost of a flight and flouting EU laws by automatically adding travel insurance during the booking process.