January 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has seen major airlines cancel flights to and from China, while the US, Australia and others are refusing entry to those who have recently visited the country. Here's the latest info about how travellers have been affected and your rights.

Record numbers of individual voluntary arrangements were taken out last year by people struggling with debt, according to new Government figures.

UK interest rates will remain at 0.75%, the Bank of England has announced – despite speculation that there could be a cut. 

Those who were mis-sold payday loans by Wonga before it collapsed will receive just 4.3% of the compensation they're owed, according to the firm's administrators.

The Government has announced that from 2021 you'll need at least six months left on your passport to travel to most of Europe and a £5.50 permit to drive in some countries, while the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU will end.

Thomas Cook's range of prepaid currency cards will be closing in April, Mastercard has announced – if you've got one, check if you've any money on it to cash out before the closure.

Over 55% of car insurance quotes are obtained in the last week before cover needs to start – with the highest number of enquiries made within 48 hours of the policy start date, MSE research can reveal. Drivers doing this could be wasting £100s as insurance costs climb the closer it gets to policy start date. 

Energy firm Utility Warehouse is to pay out £450,000 in refunds and compensation, after it overcharged potentially vulnerable customers last year.

Ovo Energy has agreed to pay £8.9 million after issuing inaccurate or incomplete information to 100,000s of customers, and for under and overcharging customers due to IT issues. 

Nectar has quietly launched a new trial which gives some members bonus points for spending on their bank card with firms such as Costa Coffee, Nando's and Airbnb, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.