June 2022

Sweeping proposals designed to get more people on to the property ladder have been announced by the Prime Minister today (Thursday 9 June). It comes as homes now cost nine times people's incomes, according to the Government. 

Some 400,000 households in Scotland will receive £50 annually to help towards winter heating costs, irrespective of weather conditions. It replaces the Cold Weather Payment, which only pays out if temperatures fall below zero degrees over seven consecutive days. 

More than half of 18 to 34-year-olds are borrowing money to help pay off their buy now, pay later debt (BNPL), according to research from charity Citizens Advice. If you're struggling to pay what you owe, we've things to try to see if they help. 

Hundreds of people say they've been wrongly sent letters by a debt collector on behalf of energy firms including British Gas and E.on, asking for payment of unpaid bills. But DON'T ignore these letters even if you don't owe the cash – we'll take you through step-by-step help on what to do if you get one. 

HSBC has today (1 June) made its temporary Covid-19 opening hours permanent across its UK branch network. The move means a cut to hours at 122 branches based on their pre-Covid levels, with 26 of these outlets seeing opening hours fall by more than 30%. However, 148 branches will get a 30-minute boost to opening times. 

Santander says it has fixed a technical problem that saw customers facing delays with certain payments going in and out of their bank accounts for most of today (1 June). The bank says it will reimburse any associated fees or charges incurred as a result. See below for all you need to know.

If you’re aged 55 or over and have a UK-based workplace or private pension pot that you've paid into that you want to access for the first time or transfer elsewhere, you must now be offered guidance from the free impartial Government service, Pension Wise.