May
Car and home insurers to be banned from charging renewing customers more than newbies in loyalty penalty crackdown
Car and home insurers are to be banned from charging existing customers more at renewal than they would expect to pay if they were taking out a new policy with the same firm, as part of a ‘loyalty penalty’ crackdown.
1 June 2021
£1.8 billion in pension credit left unclaimed - how to check if you or someone you know is eligible
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.
28 May 2021
Three to hike the cost of out-of-bundle calls and texts and some pay-as-you-go services from July
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.
28 May 2021
Campaigners call for action to fix 'absurd' universal credit flaws stopping vulnerable people getting help managing benefits
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.
26 May 2021
Water firms upping direct debits of metered customers due to increased lockdown use – check NOW if you're overpaying
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.
25 May 2021
Virgin Mobile to increase prices for millions from July
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.
25 May 2021
Atom Bank savers alarmed by messaging blunder - what you need to know
Atom Bank has mistakenly sent duplicate notifications to many of its customers, with one which warns an "external account" has been connected to savers' accounts prompting widespread alarm. The bank has temporarily restricted access to its app to stop more notifications going out, but it says it's NOT been hacked and that customers' money is safe - we've full details on what we know so far below.
25 May 2021
Covid uncertainty means holiday bookings are a risk - 19 need-to-knows to cut costs and protect your pocket in the UK and abroad
The rules on holidaying have changed radically. Until this week, in England, only stays away in self-contained accommodation were allowed, but as of 17 May hotel stays and sleepovers at friends' are back.
25 May 2021
Bulb to hike energy prices by £69/yr for millions from June – but most can save £200+/yr by switching
About 1.7 million Bulb customers will see gas and electricity bills rise for a second time this year, after the supplier announced it is raising the price of its standard credit tariff by £69/yr on average from next month. But most can beat the hikes and save £200+/yr by switching to a cheaper deal.
21 May 2021
Plusnet to hike prices for 100,000s of customers next month
Plusnet is to hit 100,000s of broadband and home phone customers with a 4.6% price hike from 30 June. The rise means some broadband customers could pay up to £18/yr more - but as the increase is written into its T&Cs, you can't cancel penalty-free unless you're outside your contract's minimum term.
20 May 2021
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29 March 2023
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Martin's 5-minute Wallet Workout
GAIN pounds
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Avoid the savings tax trap
From higher-interest fixes
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Pet insurance going cheep...
Hot deals comparisons miss
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Fixed energy deals are back
Should you?
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Martin: 'Urgent tax reclaim deadline'
Must-see video
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246Mb broadband '£18.40/month'
Ends Thu
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MSE's epic Easter egg taste test
Can cheap choc beat posh?
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Tesco Mobile to charge customers for data roaming in Europe from next year
29 March 2023![]()
Tesco Mobile is to start charging new and recently joining pay-monthly customers to use their mobiles in Europe from 2024. -
Bank of England increases base rate to 4.25% – what the rise means for your mortgage and savings
28 March 2023![]()
The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 4% to 4.25%. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn. -
Martin Lewis: One week ISA 'use it or lose it' warning
28 March 2023![]()
Interest rates are up, so ISAs are back for many - yet you need to sort them by 5 April (or likely sooner). -
Boots to cut Advantage points earned on spending – here's what's happening
28 March 2023![]()
Boots is to cut the number of loyalty points shoppers using its Advantage Card scheme can earn from May. -
New cost of living payments to start on 25 April – here's who qualifies, how much you'll get and if you need to apply
27 March 2023![]()
Millions of the UK's poorest households will start to receive the first third of their £900 cost of living payment from 25 April, the Government has confirmed today. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and when you'll get your payment.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
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Clever ways to calculate your finances
