2021

Two Ryanair television adverts have been banned after the advertising watchdog ruled they made misleading and irresponsible claims about the coronavirus pandemic. The ads stated that coronavirus vaccines were 'coming soon' and encouraged wannabe holidaymakers to 'jab and go' on Easter and summer trips. 

The Financial Conduct Authority's former interim chief executive Christopher Woolard CBE (pictured above) sets out his findings on buy now, pay later products, how credit is changing and what needs to happen next. It comes as Mr Woolard’s report on consumer credit, which was commissioned by the regulator and published today, recommends the buy now, pay later sector is regulated. Below is what Mr Woolard has to say in his own words. Views do not necessarily reflect those of MoneySavingExpert.com.

Buy now, pay later firms, including the likes of Klarna and Clearpay, are to be regulated – and all shoppers will face affordability checks before taking out this type of credit. The shake-up also means borrowers with complaints will be able to take cases to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 

Around 1.8 million taxpayers who need to complete an online self-assessment return missed the 31 January deadline, new HMRC figures show. If that's you, the good news is you'll be spared the usual £100 late-filing fine if you do it by 28 February - but if you've failed to pay any outstanding tax on time, you will still be charged interest from 1 February, so settle your account as soon as possible.

Online fashion retailer Asos has snapped up Arcadia's Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, and HIIT brands and stock for £330 million - but its high street stores aren't included in the deal and will close for good. Here's what it means for shoppers, including your gift card and return rights.  The news comes after Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group, which operated 444 stores across the UK under its Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Outfit, Topman, Topshop and Wallis brands, announced it had collapsed into administration in December 2020 due to the pandemic "severely impacting" sales.  Stores had continued to trade in the meantime, despite Deloitte being appointed as administrator for the retail empire, though they later temporarily closed when stricter coronavirus lockdown measures were imposed across the UK.  In a similar move, online retailer Boohoo purchased Debenhams' brand and website just last week after the department store chain also fell into administration. The sale means all 118 of Debenhams' UK stores will close for good. For general info on what you can do to try to reclaim cash from a firm in administration if things go wrong, see our Administration Help guide.

British Airways customers who have accepted vouchers for disrupted flights or holidays during the coronavirus pandemic will now be able to use them for travel until April 2023, as the airline's extended their validity for a year. Travellers with bookings up to April 2022 can also now swap trips for vouchers.  

Up to 125,000 Tesco Bank credit card customers could see their minimum repayments rise by £20 a month on average from March, in a move the lender says is a bid to combat persistent debt. For many, higher repayments are a good thing, as you clear debt quicker and pay less overall, but it can also hit cashflow and give you less flexibility. Here's what's happening and what to do if you're struggling. 

Motorists can halve car insurance costs simply by changing the day they apply, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has explained in his latest episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV. Here's what you need to know. 

Ikea shoppers now have longer to make use of £20 gift vouchers that were given out as part of its annual Christmas tree promotion, as the retailer has extended their validity until mid-April. It comes after concerns shoppers can't redeem vouchers as Ikea stores are closed due to coronavirus restrictions. 

Online grocery seller Ocado is to ditch its 'Low Price Promise' from 1 February. If you're an Ocado shopper, here's what it means for you.