Household Bills
Consumer groups urge action to stem tide of misleading ‘green’ energy claims
The National Consumer Council and the consumer watchdog, energywatch, today call on Britain’s household energy suppliers to be more honest and upfront about their ‘green’ tariffs – and to spell out clearly what the environmental benefits really are.
Fears of global spending slowdown stoked by new AXA report
A new global report from AXA confirms the concerns of some retail analysts that tills in the UK will be ringing a little slower this Christmas. With millions set to spend less on presents for friends and family the only solace to be taken is the Brits still spend significantly more on Christmas presents than many countries around the world.
MAC code crisis remains unresolved despite new rules by Ofcom
Following uSwitch.com’s warning that the MAC code system has reached crisis point, Ofcom introduces new rules it claims will ‘ensure consumers are able to switch to a different broadband provider quickly and easily.’
Brits spend over £4 billion on divorce
This year will be remembered as the ‘big-money break up year’ with Paul McCartney, Reese Witherspoon and Britney Spears all announcing their marriages are over.
Elderly inflation rate now exceeds 4%
Latest monthly figures show that the over-75s are still the age group being hardest hit by inflation with the elderly’s annual inflation rate in October jumping to 4.1%.
Avoid financial jetlag this Christmas
It’s good to talk to long distance loved ones at Christmas – but not so good being presented with a painful bill in the New Year.
NatWest takes the ‘ouch’ out of voucher
Brits will waste more than £105 million this Christmas buying gift vouchers for people who won’t use them, according to new research.
WAGs can expect a cracking Christmas!
Men are the more generous sex when it comes to Christmas spending on their partners, according to an online survey by fool.co.uk.
Brits want cut in council tax and other financial incentives to go green
Half of all British consumers think it is too costly to make their homes eco-friendly, but a growing number are willing to ‘go green’ if they are offered financial incentives, according to the new ‘Eco-Homes’ survey from home insurer, MORE TH>N.
Deck the halls to the tune of £1.6 billion
Christmas is no longer just preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus, but friends and relatives too, according to Alliance & Leicester Mortgages’ movingimproving index.
Retired Brits cut back to buy ‘tasteless’ Christmas presents
Millions of retired people across Britain will be pushing their finances to the limit this Christmas to buy presents that are barely valued by the recipients, according to a new report from AXA. Nearly a million retirees will even put themselves at risk by skimping on heating and energy bills to allow them to afford unloved presents.
Christmas could cost UK parents £1.8bn this year
With just 17 shopping days left until Christmas, new research reveals that UK parents will spend £262 on average on each of their children, a grand total of £1.8bn for all the children across the UK.
Spending confidence falls in the run up to Christmas
Following two months of recovery, the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index fell 9 points in November to 89. The index is now below its 3 month average of 92 and 12 points lower than at this time last year.
Fun is cheaper – but don’t get caught out at Christmas
‘Fun is cheap’ in the UK as prices remain virtually unchanged over a decade despite the overall cost of living soaring by nearly a third, Egg’s Retail Therapy Index (RTI) reveals.
uSwitch.com urges the Government to keep the energy flame glowing
Fuel Poverty and climate change are two issues the Chancellor needs to address in his pre budget report this week, according to the UK’s leading independent switching and comparison service, uSwitch.com.