July 2021

Numerous big changes to overseas travel restrictions came into force this week. As expected, rules for 'amber' destinations were overhauled, so fully vaccinated adults or any under-18s no longer need to quarantine on return. But as announced last week, the exception is that returners from amber-listed France must still quarantine, and the Balearic Islands moved from green to amber.

MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which were both founded by Martin Lewis, are among 13 organisations today renewing calls for the Government to do more to tackle online fraud after it failed to commit to cracking down on scam financial ads in its new draft Online Safety Bill.

An eight-week wait to refer complaints to ombudsmen and alternative dispute resolution schemes could be halved under new Government proposals. The outdated rule is something MoneySavingExpert.com has campaigned to reduce since 2017. 

Petrol prices have hit their highest level since October 2013, according to motoring firm the AA. It says the hikes are due to oil prices rising again following a slump caused by the pandemic. But there are ways you can cut costs now as we explain below. 

Lloyds Gold, Platinum and Premier packaged bank account holders who use the services for free will have to pay between £15 and £28 to keep their accounts from October. For some, this fee will be taken automatically, so you need to act before 1 September if you don't want to pay. 

MoneySavingExpert.com is the UK brand most recommended by consumers, according to the findings of a new YouGov poll. 

Spain's Balearic Islands – including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca – are to be moved from the Government's 'green' travel list to the amber list from Monday for travellers returning to England, Scotland and Wales. The change means holidaymakers who are not fully vaccinated or under 18 will have to self-isolate for up to 10 days on their return.

Former and existing HSBC, First Direct, John Lewis Finance and M&S Bank customers have been receiving payments from HSBC Banking Group – which the lenders come under – out of the blue over the past 10 months, and we still haven't really been told why. We've been pushing HSBC for answers and have put questions to the bank from ourselves and a former whistleblower to find out what's going on.

About 350,000 Halifax, Lloyds and Bank of Scotland home insurance customers who had a policy between 2009 and 2017 have been paid an average of £38 each in compensation, after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found they were sent misleading renewal letters. Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), which owns all three brands, has also been fined £90 million for breaching FCA rules – we've full details below.

Holidaymakers who are fully vaccinated and children will no longer need to quarantine when returning to England from 'amber list' countries after Monday 19 July, in a move that is likely to significantly open up overseas travel in time for the summer holidays.