Household Bills
Brits lose over £7 billion worth of MP3s in digital blackhole
Downloading has now become a way of life with almost two thirds (62 per cent) of us downloading music. However, research by moneysupermarket.com reveals Brits aren't always so lucky with technology, having lost over 9 billion tracks to the tune of £7.6bn.
One in six fans will back Capello's England
Around one in six football fans plan to back England at Wembley this season in their World Cup qualifying games under new manager Fabio Capello, according to research from Virgin Money.
Consumers refuse to crumble under the crunch
People are cutting out luxuries and watching the pennies as the UK continues to be submerged by the global economic crisis, according to research from uSwitch.com's Consumer Opinion Panel.
Consumer confidence dampened in cooler climate
Following a two month period of stability, the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index dropped three points to 50 in September. Ongoing economic uncertainty, a further fall in house prices, rising unemployment and the impact of high food and fuel costs may have contributed to the drop in confidence.
Age Concern: Ofgem's energy market probe
Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said: "This probe adds further weight to the already overwhelming evidence that the energy market is not working for the poorest customers.
£billions up for grabs as financial woes pile on the pressure
Nearly half the population feel more inclined to seek free independent information and advice for help with their escalating bills or other worries than this time last year, according to research carried out for the Promoting Advice coalition.
Lloyds TSB arms customers to tackle household bills
On Monday, Lloyds TSB will become the first bank to help customers tackle spiralling household bills. A new website, lloydstsbcompare.com, will let customers compare gas, electricity, telephone and broadband providers, as well as motor and travel insurance.
The real cost of energy price rises
With the Government revealing that an extra one million people have been pushed into fuel poverty, 2008 will be remembered as the year when serious concerns were raised about the ongoing affordability of household energy.
Fight must continue on fuel poverty say Ministers
Ministers today said that they will continue with their fight against fuel poverty, as Environment Secretary Hilary Benn holds meetings with energy suppliers and the home insulation industry to discuss how to speed up work on increasing energy efficiency in the UK's homes.
Strengthened consumer protections come into force
A new system that will better protect consumers comes into effect this week: From 1 October:
Households waste £490 per year through energy inertia
Nearly 14 million households are wasting an average of £490 each per year - or a total of £6.8 billion - by not switching energy provider, according to research from Confused.com – UK price comparison site.
Citizens Advice welcomes safeguards on doorstep sales
New rights protecting people from high-pressure doorstep sales have been welcomed by Citizens Advice.
Better protection when buying from doorstep salespeople
The OFT is launching a new awareness campaign to inform consumers that from today (1 October 2008) if they buy from salespeople who visit them in their own homes, they will have seven days to cancel the agreement.
Over half of students receive parental funding through university
Over half (53%) of students receive funding from their parents to help them through their studies, according to research by the Halifax.
British Gas launches Click Energy 6
Commenting on the launch of British Gas Click Energy 6, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: