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Two MoneySavers reclaim £1,000+: How to check and challenge incorrect water bills if you use a soakaway or septic tank
19 May 2022![]()
Two MoneySavingExpert.com users have secured refunds and compensation worth thousands - and reduced their waste water bills - after arguing their bills should have been lower as their homes aren't connected to public sewers. Here's how others in England and Wales can maybe do the same. -
Over 100,000 Vodafone customers unable to redeem Airtime Rewards to put towards their phone bill – here’s what you can do
18 May 2022![]()
More than 100,000 Vodafone customers have been unable to redeem Airtime Rewards against their mobile phone bill since the start of May due to a technical glitch. The cashback scheme has implemented a temporary fix, which sees cashback paid into your bank account, for now. Here is all you need to know. -
Lloyds Banking Group to shut another 20 Lloyds branches and eight Halifax outlets - here's what's happening
18 May 2022![]()
Lloyds Banking Group has announced a further round of branch closures, with 28 more outlets being shut across the UK between August and November this year. The closures are made up of 20 Lloyds Bank branches and eight Halifax outlets. -
Hit by passport application delays? Your travel and compensation rights explained
17 May 2022![]()
With record numbers lodging passport applications after putting off renewals during the pandemic, delays at the Passport Office are threatening to derail holidays for many. We round up your travel and compensation rights. -
Households should ignore scam emails WRONGLY telling them to claim council tax rebates from energy regulator Ofgem
17 May 2022![]()
Beware scam emails wrongly telling you to click a link to sign up for both a council tax rebate and an energy bill discount. It comes as MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) has received several reports from individuals who've received these emails. Here's what you need to watch out for.
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Cards & Loans
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Customers of collapsed rent-to-own firm BrightHouse unlikely to receive any form of refund - here are all the details
Customers of collapsed rent to own company BrightHouse are unlikely to get any money back after the firm's joint administrators said the cost of refunding people would "far exceed" the money available. -
Amigo borrowers have until 5pm today to vote on their preferred mis-sold loans redress scheme
Thousands of Amigo borrowers who were mis-sold loans they couldn't afford are being given the opportunity to vote on two different redress schemes: one that will see borrowers get back an estimated 41p per £1 owed and allow the company to continue operating, and one that will see borrowers get back 33p per £1 owed but will result in the closure of the loans firm. Here's all you need to know. -
Bank of England increases base rate to 1% – what the rise means for your mortgage and savings
The Bank of England has increased base rates to 1% from 0.75% after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in favour of a rise. The base rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and influences what borrowers pay and savers earn.
Complain & Reclaim
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Martin Lewis: Three must-dos by 5 April 1) Tax code rebate 2) Marriage tax allowance 3) PPI tax back
There are just weeks left to submit claims potentially worth £100s on everything from incorrect tax codes to uniform tax rebates. -
In council tax bands A to D? Set up a direct debit now with your local authority to ensure you get the £150 'energy rebate' in April
About 20 million households in England - those with homes in council tax bands A to D - will get a £150 rebate in April - here's how to guarantee you'll get it on time. -
Ignore requests from the state trying to claw back pension overpayments after someone has died - they have no legal right to do so
Friends or relatives can ignore requests by the Government to return overpaid state pension payments in the event of the recipient's death, as there is no legal obligation to pay the money back.
Household Bills
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Over 100,000 Vodafone customers unable to redeem Airtime Rewards to put towards their phone bill – here’s what you can do
More than 100,000 Vodafone customers have been unable to redeem Airtime Rewards against their mobile phone bill since the start of May due to a technical glitch. The cashback scheme has implemented a temporary fix, which sees cashback paid into your bank account, for now. Here is all you need to know. -
Energy price cap set to change every three months and cheaper switchers' deals effectively kiboshed under new plans unveiled by Ofgem
The energy price cap, which governs what most pay for their energy, is set to change every three months from October under plans announced by Ofgem today. The regulator also revealed it will also make the 'market stabilisation charge' harsher. This is a charge levied on firms acquiring new customers, which will make it harder for suppliers to undercut the price cap with cheaper fixed deals. -
30% of British Gas, Octopus & Shell Energy customers say their direct debits have DOUBLED
At least 30% of British Gas, Octopus Energy and Shell Energy customers who were in credit and on price-capped tariffs told MoneySavingExpert.com that they've seen their direct debits double – even though the price cap rise is half that, at 54%.
Banking & Saving
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Two MoneySavers reclaim £1,000+: How to check and challenge incorrect water bills if you use a soakaway or septic tank
Two MoneySavingExpert.com users have secured refunds and compensation worth thousands - and reduced their waste water bills - after arguing their bills should have been lower as their homes aren't connected to public sewers. Here's how others in England and Wales can maybe do the same. -
Over 100,000 Vodafone customers unable to redeem Airtime Rewards to put towards their phone bill – here’s what you can do
More than 100,000 Vodafone customers have been unable to redeem Airtime Rewards against their mobile phone bill since the start of May due to a technical glitch. The cashback scheme has implemented a temporary fix, which sees cashback paid into your bank account, for now. Here is all you need to know. -
Lloyds Banking Group to shut another 20 Lloyds branches and eight Halifax outlets - here's what's happening
Lloyds Banking Group has announced a further round of branch closures, with 28 more outlets being shut across the UK between August and November this year. The closures are made up of 20 Lloyds Bank branches and eight Halifax outlets.
Travel
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Hit by passport application delays? Your travel and compensation rights explained
With record numbers lodging passport applications after putting off renewals during the pandemic, delays at the Passport Office are threatening to derail holidays for many. We round up your travel and compensation rights. -
Coronavirus travel rights
We've the latest on the testing and self-isolation rules for travellers visiting popular destinations abroad, plus full refund and insurance rights for overseas and UK travel. -
Easyjet or Ryanair passenger? You can claim a refund and £100s in compensation if you're wrongly told your passport isn't valid
Some EasyJet and Ryanair passengers have wrongly been told at the departure gate that they can't board flights because their passports are invalid. If you've been incorrectly turned away but your passport is fit for travel, here's how to get a full refund and £100s in compensation on top. Plus, we confirm the passport rules for European travel.
Insurance
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Ethnic minorities pay up to £280/yr more for car insurance than white people, says Citizens Advice
Ethnic minorities pay more than white people for car insurance, research from Citizens Advice has shown, with the charity arguing that the price differences are a result of an "ethnicity penalty". -
Motorbike insurer MCE to cancel cover for all 105,000 policyholders – what it means for you
MCE Insurance Company, which was one of the UK's biggest motorbike insurers, is to cancel all of its 105,000 remaining policies after falling into administration last year. The moves comes despite the insurer initially promising to honour existing cover until its planned end date. -
Motorbike insurer MCE falls into administration - what it means for its 105,000 policyholders
MCE Insurance Company, one of the UK's biggest motorbike insurers, has fallen into administration. The collapse affects around 105,000 policyholders but MSE can confirm that customers will continue to be covered until the end of their policy and claims will still be paid.
Mortgages & Homes
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MSE pressure forces broker Tembo to remove ads encouraging people to pay off student loans by remortgaging
Mortgage broker Tembo has taken down misleading online adverts encouraging people to remortgage to repay their student loans after pressure from MoneySavingExpert.com. -
New reforms to protect renters confirmed – including an ombudsman for complaints and a ban on 'no fault' evictions
Renters in England can no longer be evicted for no reason under a new Bill introduced by the Government this week - though the rules are yet to take effect. The "Renters Reform Bill" will also see the introduction of an ombudsman for private tenants among other measures. -
Fixed rate mortgages below 2% axed from the market as interest rates continue to rise - here's all you need to know
Fixed rates on mortgages have increased rapidly since the start of 2022 and today less than 10 sit at below 2%. If you’re able to switch mortgage or hoping to get a new one and want a deal at current rates, you better do so now as they won’t be around for long.
Shopping
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Warning: Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and more recall chicken products over salmonella fears - here are your refund rights
Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose are recalling a number of chicken products over fears of a salmonella outbreak. We explain your refund rights below. -
Tech error means some Asda delivery passes were cancelled before they were due to expire - here's what you need to know
Asda has admitted that some shoppers have had their delivery passes cancelled prematurely by mistake - with some still having three months left on them to use. Here's what you need to know, plus how the big four supermarket giants' delivery pass schemes stack-up. -
Paramount to launch UK streaming service this June – here’s how it compares
Paramount will launch a new streaming service, Paramount+, in the UK on 22 June. Users will be able to stream TV programmes and films for £6.99 a month or for £69.90 a year after a seven-day free trial.
Income & Budgeting
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NHS prescription costs frozen in England for the first time in 12 years – here are all the details and how to save on your medicine bills
NHS prescription costs will remain frozen at £9.35 an item for the next 12 months. This is welcome news for many but remember to check if you qualify for free prescriptions or if you can save money with a prescription 'season ticket'. See below for more details. -
Thousands of public sector workers to see redundancy payments cut after Government shake-up – your rights explained
Thousands of public sector workers in England could soon see the amount they get as redundancy pay cut under new Government guidance. -
New reforms to protect renters confirmed – including an ombudsman for complaints and a ban on 'no fault' evictions
Renters in England can no longer be evicted for no reason under a new Bill introduced by the Government this week - though the rules are yet to take effect. The "Renters Reform Bill" will also see the introduction of an ombudsman for private tenants among other measures.
18 May 2022
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12 ways to save only do with apps
Free chocs, 1.5% savings and more
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Martin: 'Aged around 45 to 70?'
'You may be able to turn £800 into £5,500+'
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New. Top way to spend abroad
Unbeatable exchange rates and cashback
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10% off discount 'best-before' store
Eg, 23p Pepsi , £4,50 for 1kg Lindt
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Cheaper energy deals kiboshed
Martin not exactly impressed
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Lloyds' free £125 bank bribe
But others pay more
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Debt cost-cutting masterclass
Mortgages, cards, overdrafts, loans...
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Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
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Two MoneySavers reclaim £1,000+: How to check and challenge incorrect water bills if you use a soakaway or septic tank
19 May 2022![]()
Two MoneySavingExpert.com users have secured refunds and compensation worth thousands - and reduced their waste water bills - after arguing their bills should have been lower as their homes aren't connected to public sewers. Here's how others in England and Wales can maybe do the same. -
Over 100,000 Vodafone customers unable to redeem Airtime Rewards to put towards their phone bill – here’s what you can do
18 May 2022![]()
More than 100,000 Vodafone customers have been unable to redeem Airtime Rewards against their mobile phone bill since the start of May due to a technical glitch. The cashback scheme has implemented a temporary fix, which sees cashback paid into your bank account, for now. Here is all you need to know. -
Lloyds Banking Group to shut another 20 Lloyds branches and eight Halifax outlets - here's what's happening
18 May 2022![]()
Lloyds Banking Group has announced a further round of branch closures, with 28 more outlets being shut across the UK between August and November this year. The closures are made up of 20 Lloyds Bank branches and eight Halifax outlets. -
Hit by passport application delays? Your travel and compensation rights explained
17 May 2022![]()
With record numbers lodging passport applications after putting off renewals during the pandemic, delays at the Passport Office are threatening to derail holidays for many. We round up your travel and compensation rights. -
Households should ignore scam emails WRONGLY telling them to claim council tax rebates from energy regulator Ofgem
17 May 2022![]()
Beware scam emails wrongly telling you to click a link to sign up for both a council tax rebate and an energy bill discount. It comes as MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) has received several reports from individuals who've received these emails. Here's what you need to watch out for.
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Martin Lewis: 'UO is just as important as UX: A tip for anyone developing their website or app'
6 May 2022![]()
I set up MoneySavingExpert.com nearly 20 years ago – when arguably the modern web was still in its infancy. With an abundance of self-belief (something I had too much of then, as I realise now) I decided not to read any books, or follow prevailing wisdom on how a site should operate – and just do it my way. -
Martin Lewis: Got a cash ISA? You should probably ditch it
3 May 2022![]()
Press the rewind button and go way back to April 2015... Possibly on the telly in the corner of your living room, I was on-air at the time urging savers as usual to use their new tax-free cash ISA allowance – because 'money was nicer in an ISA'. But things changed in 2016. -
Martin Lewis: Money and Mental Health charity 2021/22 – Covid & cost of living hell...
26 April 2022![]()
It's hard to believe the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) charity is now six years old. As the chair of trustees, each year I write the foreword to its annual report – and today the 2021/22 report is out, so I thought I'd blog my formal chair's foreword here. -
Martin Lewis: What happened to my pledge to give £10m to charity – 2022 update (spoiler: it's now £20m)
11 April 2022![]()
Nearly a decade ago, in June 2012, MSE joined the MSM Group and I pledged £10m to go to charity. As that was a public pledge and I feel I've a duty of transparency, every year or two I bash out a blog report to explain where I'm up to, and who's got what money.
Tools & Calculators
Clever ways to calculate your finances
