2022

We've been warning about big energy price hikes for months, but the harsh reality hits home today (Friday 1 April), as about 22 million households will see a massive jump of an average £700/year on their energy bills, as the new price cap kicks in – with most suppliers pricing their standard tariffs on or near the max allowed. Unfortunately, due to the dire state of the energy market, most still can't save by switching. Here's what you need to know.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has backed calls from MoneySavingExpert.com and founder Martin Lewis to make credit card and loan rates fairer and overhaul the rules so that more people get the rate that is advertised rather than being charged a much higher cost of borrowing.

Over three million Brits saved on their passport applications by applying online instead of by post last year – but more than half a million missed out, MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) can reveal. So if you're planning a holiday abroad for the first time in a while, check your passport's still valid – and, if it's out of date, here's how to renew it for less.

Royal Mail's 'Swap Out' scheme opens today (Thursday 31 March), meaning you can now exchange first and second class stamps – plus others with the Queen's profile on – for new, barcoded versions. We break down everything you need to know below.

Customers of British Gas, E.on, EDF, Shell and Octopus have been unable to submit meter readings as people rush to do so before the Friday 1 April price hike. But if you can't do so, DON'T panic – just make sure you take a picture of your reading and submit it as soon as you can.

Some elderly and vulnerable shoppers feel they are being "unfairly discriminated against" as supermarkets restrict savings to their apps, meaning those without a smartphone are unable to take advantage of deals and discounts. 

An estimated 10 million people would struggle to cope if the UK was to go completely cashless, according to a new report, which comes as bank branch closures escalate and calls grow for the financial regulator to safeguard access to cash.

The Bank of England has increased base rates to 0.75% from 0.5% after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in favour of a rise. The base rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and influences what borrowers pay and savers earn.

British Airways passengers who feel they were wrongly handed vouchers for cancelled flights during the pandemic may now be able to get cash refunds following a U-turn by the airline. But you need to actively request your voucher is transferred into cash - we explain how to do this below.  

Council tax bills are set to rise for millions of households from 1 April, with the majority seeing total increases of around 3%. We've tips on how to reduce your bill below and a list of how much local councils will charge across England, Scotland and Wales.