Families
Four energy firms face mis-selling probe
Filed under: House and Home, Families
Ofgem has launched an investigation into four energy companies amid concerns of mis-selling to consumers.The energy regulator said it was prepared to take "strong action" if it found that npower, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF Energy were failing to comply with new obligations to prevent mis-selling.
Banks "write off" debts of £3.5bn as borrowing Brits hide financial woes
Filed under: Financial Crisis, Families, Debt
Nearly seven in 10 Britons hide financial difficulties from their bank or building society – even if they experience a sudden money shock that dramatically changes their situation.
Meanwhile, 37% of adults take no action to adjust to their changed circumstances when they come under financial pressure. Perhaps that's why the latest figures from the Bank of England show that banks "wrote off" customer debts of about £40 million a day between April and June?
Stricter advertising rules for "free" debt management firms
Filed under: Financial Crisis, Families, Debt
Debt management companies that charge a fee for their services should find it harder to mislead indebted consumers by advertising "free" help from today.
New rules from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) state that companies can no longer describe a product or service as "free" or "without charge" if it involves any costs other than postage and packing, for example.
1.2 million customers hit by electricity bill hike
Filed under: House and Home, Families
Utility firm EDF Energy has announced a 2.6% increase in electricity bills for 1.2 million customers.Poundland's secrets revealed - what to buy
Filed under: Freebies and Bargains, Food and Drink, Families
Poundland and the 99p Stores are the new giants of the high street. Like glittering Aladdin's caves, they tempt you in with their simple pricing structure and the promise of bargains undreamed of – mostly because you had no idea you even needed half the stuff you come out with.
Charities missing out as fees for "chuggers" wipe out donations
Filed under: Families
If you give money to charity through chuggers – "charity muggers" – the money you give will often go entirely to the street collection company. An investigation by Newsnight has found that the professional chugger companies frequently charge the charities employing them £100 or more for each member of the public who signs up in the street or on his doorstep to a direct debit. This means the firms make tens of millions each year, but it often takes a year before the charity sees any of it – the rest has gone to the chugger firm.
1.8 million to head abroad over Bank Holiday weekend
A massive 1.8 million Britons will leave the UK this Bank Holiday weekend, according to figures from travel association ABTA.
Of these, more than 420,000 will be leaving from Heathrow, 250,000 from Gatwick, 136,000 from Stansted and 65,000 from Luton. Anyone heading to one of these airports is therefore being urged to leave extra time to account for the crowds.
How to beat the Bank Holiday traffic
For many people Bank Holidays are synonymous with travel chaos and family rows in the car. And with more than half of the population planning a trip this Bank Holiday weekend, the mayhem caused by traffic jams, strike threats, delays and cancellations on public transport could be even worse than usual. You can ease the pain with a bit of planning, though.
Kids come first as parents ramp up 'back to school' spend
Filed under: Families, Budgeting & Planning
As parents prepare to kit their children out for the start of the new school year this week, it has emerged that they're likely to spend £709 million on 'back to school' basics including uniforms, stationery, sportswear and winter coats.Parents can expect to spend £122, on average, on kitting their kids out for primary school.
Rogue mobility aid traders targeted
Filed under: Fraud , Technology and Online, Families
Trading standards are cracking down on rogue traders who prey on vulnerable people, bullying them into buying overpriced mobility aids, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
