Latest News

Ten ways to deal with repossession

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:44:59 +0000

Official figures show that repossessions have jumped by 12% in the past year as more people struggle to cope with their mortgage repayments.

If this is the situation facing you, your family or anyone you know, then it is important to understand that mortgage lenders see repossession as a last resort, and will want to avoid it at all costs.

Mortgage squeeze forces homeowners to sell

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:01:31 +0000

The number of homes being repossessed rose by 12% in the third quarter of the year, official figures have shown.

More help needed for homebuyers

Rebecca Atkinson — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:32:15 +0000

Alistair Darling has been urged to do more to help mortgage banks lend to home buyers in his forthcoming pre-Budget report after figures revealed a 44% fall in the number of approved home loans since 2007.

New figures from mortgage lenders show that £18.7 billion was lent during October, up 7% from September but down 44% from the same month last year.

Lloyds TSB shareholders vote yes to HBOS deal

Rebecca Atkinson — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:49:46 +0000

Lloyds TSB shareholders have voted in favour of the proposed takeover of HBOS at its general meeting, with a "significant majority" giving their backing to the plans.

Shareholders voted 95.98% in favour of the takeover, and also passed the resolution to accept government funding as part of chancellor Alistair Darling's £37 billion banking bailout.

Let Darling know what you think

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:30:54 +0000

With less than one week until the pre-Budget report 2008 (due on Monday 24 November) taxpayers are being urged to let chancellor Alistair Darling know what they think about the banking bailout.

Where do your tips go?

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:24:23 +0000

Restaurants will be banned from using tips to top up their staff’s wages to the minimum wage in light of a government investigation into how fair tips really are.

More rate cuts expected in December

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:16:34 +0000

The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates again in December but says much hangs on the government's pre-Budget report, due next week.

Rents fall as unsold homes hit market

Rebecca Atkinson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:15:09 +0000

Rents have fallen for the first time since April 2003 as a result of the rising number of homeowners forced to rent their properties because they can’t sell.

Calls for early access to pension pots

Rebecca Atkinson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:50:06 +0000

Allowing early access to pension funds would encourage more people to save for their retirement, according to a new report.

The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) says people are deterred from saving into a pension because they are unable to access their cash in times of financial hardship or an emergency.

Cost of living starts to slow

Rebecca Atkinson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:47:28 +0000

Inflation appears to have peaked with the cost of living standing at 4.5% during October, down from 5.2% in September.