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Brits worry they won’t have enough money to pay future bills

Nearly a third (31%) of Brits are worried they won't have enough money in the next five years to cover the costs of their domestic bills, according to research on behalf of Saga Savings.

Young are the nifty thrifties

Brits plan to save their way out of recession rather than spend, according to research from Abbey Savings. Against a backdrop of falling Bank of England interest rates and the VAT cut - the vast majority of consumers of all ages and in all regions are cutting back on their expenditure.

British Gas launches WebSaver 2

Commenting on the launch of WebSaver 2 from British Gas, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "UK bill payers are yet to see an energy price cut this year from npower and Scottish Power, but it's ‘seconds out, round two' from British Gas in the 2009 energy price war.

British gas' withdrawal of its WebSaver 1 tariff

British Gas has announced that it is to withdraw its WebSaver 1 tariff - which tracks its standard tariff with a 10% discount, irrespective of price changes - and will replace it with the WebSaver 2 tariff, which only offers a 6% discount.

Energy price cuts won't scratch the surface of fuel poverty

This year's energy price cuts - averaging out at 4.5% or £60 - will not even scratch the surface of fuel poverty in the UK today, according to uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.

Consumers move quickly to neutralise effects of credit crunch

Eating out and buying new clothes are two of the biggest casualties of the credit crunch as consumers in the East Midlands continue to reassess their spending habits in light of the major slump affecting the UK economy.

PayPal: IMRG Capgemini Sales Index for January 2009

Commenting on IMRG Capgemini Sales Index for January 2009, Mark Hodson, UK Marketing Director at PayPal, the world's largest online payment service said: "Today's figures from IMRG demonstrate how the deepening recession is shifting consumers from the high street to the internet.

Cowboy traders crawl out of the woodwork in downturn

Cowboy traders are peddling their wares even harder in the economic downturn, reveals household emergency service HomeCall+.

Elderly still face inflation of more than 5%

This month's official inflation report has shown a small decline in headline inflation to a rate of 3.0%, but Alliance Trust's ongoing monthly study of age related inflation reveals that the over 75 year olds face an inflation rate which is far higher than the official rate, at 5.4%.

Valentine's spending is sweet

British shoppers are still willing to splash the cash on their loved ones at Valentine's, according to data released by Barclaycard Payment Acceptance.

Nearly one in three Brits expect income cut

Almost one in three people in Great Britain expects a drop in disposable income this year either through salary cuts or increased costs as the effects of the recession take hold, according to research from Virgin Money.

UK inflation falls to 3%

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation – the Government's target measure – was 3.0 per cent in January, down from 3.1 per cent in December, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Beleaguered Brits call for further energy price cuts

Brits believe they are paying over the odds for their energy bills, despite energy providers starting to drop prices, according to research from moneysupermarket.com.

Energy customers urged to shop around now

Following the cuts announced to its Annual Fix tariff last week, it's encouraging to see EDF Energy following the lead taken by British Gas, Scottish & Southern Energy and E.ON.

Confused.com: E.ON energy price cut

Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at Confused.com, says: "While any price cut is a welcome move for the millions of customers who are already with E.ON, the announced price reductions of 9% for electricity but nothing for gas, is a huge disappointment."