December 2021

A sweeping regulatory overhaul has been proposed to stop banks and insurers mistreating consumers and to ensure, among a raft of other measures, that financial firms are not able to leave existing customers languishing on poor deals while new ones are offered the best rates.

Millions of people who receive certain benefits, including the state pension, could get a one-off tax-free £10 Christmas bonus from the Government. If you are eligible, the money should be paid automatically but you can make a claim if you think you've wrongly missed out. 

The energy price cap is now expected to rise by over 40% next April, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis warned in the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show. But despite the "horrendous" projected increase, Martin explained that households are still likely to be better off "doing nothing" for now, given how expensive the cheapest fixed tariffs are currently.

The Government's recommended list of PCR travel test providers continues to include tests for as little as 30p that either don't exist in reality at that price or are only available to a tiny number of people, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. It comes amid concerns test providers are offering misleadingly cheap deals to boost their position in the Government's list.

With coronavirus halting travel for many, you might not have used your specialist travel debit or credit card for several years. But Halifax and Virgin Money card holders with upcoming Christmas trips should check if action is needed to keep their accounts open as the lenders will cancel inactive overseas cards. 

Pret Coffee subscribers will be the first to take part in a new loyalty scheme, which is initially being rolled out on a trial basis. Customers will be able to collect stars on every transaction they make, which can later be used to obtain free food and drink.

Former customers of failed suppliers Igloo, Symbio and Enstroga risk overpaying by about £100/year unless they take action NOW, as new provider E.on Next has been unable to transfer across direct debit mandates. If you haven't done it already, you need to set up a new one with E.on Next by Friday 3 December, or you'll end up paying more, as direct debit is the cheapest way to pay.