2021

Platform and NatWest have today launched fixed-rate deals with the lowest ever interest rates seen on a two-year and five-year fix respectively, according to brokers. But while these mortgages won't necessarily be best for everyone, the headline-grabbing rates of 0.95% and 1.17% indicate that competition between lenders is currently fierce. So check now if you can save £1,000s on your mortgage.

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.

Drivers could save up to £35 a year on their car insurance, the Ministry of Justice has said, as major reforms to the claims process for whiplash injury come into effect this week. The shake-up includes a new online portal for road traffic injury claims, while whiplash cases can no longer be settled without medical evidence. 

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.