May 2021

Car and home insurers are to be banned from charging existing customers more at renewal than they would expect to pay when taking out a new policy with the same firm, as part of a ‘loyalty penalty’ crackdown. The financial regulator estimates the shake-up will save £4.2 billion over 10 years.

Three mobile customers who make calls or send text messages outside of their standard allowance will see prices hiked from 1 July. Some pay-as-you-go costs are also rising. But mobile users who regularly use these services can cancel contracts penalty-free as a result. 

A former pensions minister has urged people to use this Bank Holiday weekend as an opportunity to check if elderly relatives or neighbours are missing out on £1,000s a year in pension credit, with recent figures showing up to £1.8 billion remains unclaimed. Here's how to check if you or someone you know is eligible - and what to do if so. 

Campaigners have called on the Government to fix "absurd flaws" with the benefits system that prevent vulnerable people from getting help from family and friends to manage their universal credit accounts. Without this help, campaigners warn claimants ultimately risk losing their benefits.    

Households with water meters should check their bills as many firms are upping direct debits due to higher use during lockdown. And with usage over the next year likely to drop for many as restrictions ease, you could end up paying a lot more than you need to unless you take action. Energy's slightly different, but it's still worth checking – more on that below.

The rules on holidaying are changing radically. Domestic trips are now allowed across much of the UK, while some overseas holidays are also back on the agenda.

Virgin Mobile is to hit millions of mobile customers with price hikes of 1.5% from 1 July. The provider has confirmed it started to notify affected customers about the increase in early May - but you won’t be able to cancel penalty-free unless you are out-of-contract.

Atom Bank has mistakenly sent notifications to many of its customers, one of which warned an "external account" had been connected to savers' accounts and prompted widespread alarm. The bank temporarily restricted access to its app to stop more notifications going out, but says it's NOT been hacked and customers' money is safe. It adds that the issue is now fixed – we've full details below.

About 1.7 million Bulb customers will see gas and electricity bills rise by an average 6.5% from next month, making its standard credit tariff just 1% cheaper than the price cap – in other words, it'll be mightily expensive. But most can beat the hikes and save £200+/yr by switching to a cheaper deal. 

Flexible train season tickets will be available to buy across England from next month, as part of a wide-reaching Government shake-up of rail fares. A new refund system for delayed and cancelled trains has also been announced.