January 2020

The financial regulator has warned that banks must act to help consumers hurt by its overhaul of overdraft costs, after several announced they will bring in interest rates of 40%.

Some Ocado customers who made orders before Christmas using their Mastercards have only just had their payments taken, leaving them with delayed charges of £100+ in some cases.

Treasury Minister John Glen has said that he is willing to consider extending the limits of the financial regulator's powers to help more 'mortgage prisoners' who are stuck on expensive deals with unregulated lenders and lenders that no longer offer new mortgages.

Electronics company Sonos is to stop sending software updates to older speakers and other devices from May, meaning they will lose "some functionality" over time. It's sparked anger among many Sonos owners – if you're affected, here's what's happening and what you can do about it. 

Mobile operator Giffgaff will ratchet up the price of calls and double the price of texts for customers on standard pay-as-you-go next month – but many who buy its 'goodybag' bundles will benefit from more generous allowances.

Parents who suffer the loss of a child under the age of 18 will be legally entitled to two weeks' leave from work under 'Jack's Law', the Government has announced.

Octopus Energy is set to take on all 70,000 customers supplied by the provider Engie after a buyout was agreed – if you're with Engie, here's what you need to know.

A new railcard offering military veterans cheaper fares will be launched on Armistice Day (11 November) this year, the Government has announced.

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will scrap daily fees for arranged overdrafts from April and instead charge an interest rate based on customers' credit history, with most set to pay 39.9%, but some an eye-watering 49.9%. That's the highest rate we've seen from banks overhauling their overdraft fees – though most customers will actually pay less for their overdraft as a result of the changes.

Boots is to reduce the number of Advantage Card loyalty points it gives parents and older customers – with members of its Parenting Club and Over-60s Rewards schemes to earn 20% fewer points on some items from March.