Bills
Big energy firms must "open up market" or face penaltiesuSwitch has backed Ofgem's proposals that the energy market needs to be opened up to wider competition. |
One in five families 'living on the edge' financiallyFinancial problems are pushing Britain’s families to breaking point, and many think family life is tougher than it was 10 years ago, according to research from Scottish Widows. |
Average family faces £1,800 unexpected expenses a yearThe average UK household has had to fork out £1,800 in unexpected payments in the past year, from car repairs to replacing the washing machine, research shows. |
Electricity bills to rise by £100 a year in energy reformsHouseholds will be charged around £100 a year more for electricity bills under plans to build nuclear power stations and wind farms over the next 20 years. |
Aviva says over 55s earning more, but giving handouts to familyOver 55s’ incomes have hit their highest level since November 2010, but two-fifths are helping their family financially, a new report reveals. |
UK's New year's resolutions focus on financeFinancial resolutions may be more important than diets and learning new languages for Britons in 2012. |
Ofgem asks energy companies to explain billingThe energy regulator, Ofgem, has written to UK energy companies asking them to explain their billing procedures when a bill period covers two price tiers after a price rise. This follows mistakes made by EDF Energy announced this week. |
British Gas suspends doorstep sellingBritish Gas has put a three-month moratorium on cold call doorstep sales after coming under pressure for a leading consumer group. |
Six million households "financially vulnerable"New research by Britain's national debt charity has shown more than six million households are walking a financial tightrope. |
Ofgem to probe ScottishPower for Direct October 2012 pricing promiseScottishPower's claim that its Direct October 2012 offer saves £459 has attracted the attention of industry regulator Ofgem. |
Mobile phone services 'set for improvements'Consumers will be able to benefit from more reliable and faster mobile phone services in future. |
Inflation is higher for poorer householdsEssential outgoings like food and energy cause real-terms inflation to be higher for poorer households. |
Credit card rates go up despite interest rates remaining lowSwitching to a new credit card may be an option some people wish to consider as the cost of borrowing is on the increase, despite the record low base rate of 0.5 per cent. |
Consumers 'can lower energy bills despite price rises'Confused.com have told consumers that it is possible to make savings on the cost of their energy bills by taking steps such as seeking a better deal and making changes in their household. |
Families face near-£200 increase in fuel billsCash customers face a £135 increase for gas and £51 on electricity following Scottish Power's price rise announced yesterday. |
Telecoms law shake-up good news for consumersNew European telecoms laws mean mobile phone providers can no longer lock customers into 36-month contracts. |
Bank holiday calls to mobiles 'cheaper from landlines'Cheaper phone bills could await anyone who makes a call from a landline to a mobile phone this bank holiday weekend. |
British Gas launch WebSaver 12 fixed energy tariffConsumers have been advised to take a look at their energy bills as tariffs are currently in the process of changing. |
Energy bills could hit all-time highUK homes could see their energy bills rise to the highest they have been since 2009 if a trend in energy price hikes continues. |
EU cracks down on mobile contractsAn EU ruling banning 36 month mobile contracts now means that customers can avoid being locked in to arrangements for lengthy terms, but the resulting increase in shorter contracts means higher monthly costs are being passed on. |
Tesco Clubcard offers money off E.ON energy billsPartnership between supermarket and energy supplier could see reasonable savings for loyal customers. |
UK household budgets squeezed by inflation and pay freezesInflation topping five per cent and continued pay freezes or low rises are combining to leave UK household budgets squeezed. |
Gas tax makes Centrica consider Morecambe Bay shutdownGas supplied to Centrica customers from the Morecambe Bay area could be replaced with wholesale-purchased alternatives as the company looks to enhance its profitability in the region. |
Energy price change notifications take effectNew ruling will mean suppliers cannot spring price changes on consumers, which should help customers be more prepared to deal with price hikes. |
Hotel prices up for royal wedding weekend in London?Hotel prices in London have been found to be 26 per cent more expensive for the nights before and after the royal wedding in comparison to the following weekend. |
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