Household Bills

Spend-happy families need financial reality check

Consumer spending is set to weaken sharply over coming months as the reality of deteriorating financial conditions finally hits home for households across the UK, according to a new index launched by the Alliance Trust Research Centre (ATRC).

Record rate of inflation for elderly

As the Office for National Statistics today reports that headline inflation has moved above the Chancellor’s upper boundary, to 3.1%, an independent study reveals the impact of price increases on homes run by the elderly has hit a record level.

UK inflation rises to 3.1 per cent

CPI annual inflation – the Government’s target measure – was 3.1 per cent in March, up from 2.8 per cent in February, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

Consumers lose out as energy prices remain at inflated levels

British consumers are being left out of pocket to the tune of £4.4 billion following the recent round of energy price cuts, reveals uSwitch.com.

Gas giants build cash float as customers feel the heat

Following a winter of historically high gas prices for UK households, research reveals gas suppliers have built up a staggering £490 million reservoir of customers’ unspent money.

Britons set to ‘call time’ on roaming charges

With the EU having voted on plans to reduce the roaming costs of using a mobile phone abroad, SimplySwitch.com, the price comparison service, reveals over a staggering three quarters (77%) of British mobile owners, 33.9 million people, don’t know how much they currently pay for making or receiving calls abroad.

uSwitch.com: True extent of mobile roaming charges

Ahead of today’s European Parliament vote on the European Commission’s proposal to cap mobile roaming charges, research from price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com reveals the true attitudes Brits abroad have on packing their mobile phones.

Time poor Brits turn to domestic help

Cash rich, time poor, 21st century lifestyles are forcing more households to employ domestic help according to new research from Barclays Premier Banking.

Electricity customers remain highly charged

Increased competition does not mean customers get better electricity prices according to research by the University of Warwick.

Oldest households still hit by the highest living costs

The inflation rate facing households over 75 is consistently higher than any other age group reveals latest figures from the Alliance Trust Research Centre’s ongoing ‘Age and Inflation’ study.

Electricity customers not seeing price benefits of competition

Electricity customers are not seeing expected price benefits of increased competition and internet price searches in the sector, according to research by economists at the University of Warwick, Aston Business School and the Universidad del Rosario Columbia.