December 2023

More than seven million households on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Tax Credits, have now received the third and final instalment of their cost of living payment, worth £299. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and what to do if you're missing your payment.

If you're an Easyjet passenger who was issued a voucher during the Covid-19 pandemic, you've just days left to use it before it expires by the end of Wednesday 31 January. Around £58 million worth of these vouchers were yet to be redeemed, according to a November 2023 report published by the airline.

E.on Next has opened its 'Pledge' variable tariff to new, as well as existing, direct debit customers. It promises a 3% discount (about £50 a year on typical use) on the Price Cap for a year. We've full info below. 

Millions of water and sewerage bill payers could be due compensation payouts of up to £109 each if a new set of group legal claims against several big water firms succeeds. It's still early days and there are no guarantees, but here's what you need to know.

Amazon Prime Video will start showing adverts from 5 February 2024 unless you pay an extra £2.99 a month, the online giant has announced.

Rail fares in England will rise by up to 4.9% next year, the Government has announced. The increases will come into effect on 3 March 2024.

A shake-up to the rate of income tax people in Scotland pay has been confirmed in the Scottish Budget. From 6 April 2024, the threshold at which earners start paying certain rates will rise for some tax bands, while a new "advanced" rate tax band will be introduced. The "top" tax rate will also increase.

The Bank of England held its base rate at 5.25% for the third time in a row on 14 December. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn.

Banks will be required to refund most victims of bank transfer scams – known as "authorised push payment (APP)" fraud – from 7 October 2024, under new rules confirmed today (Tuesday 19 December). But you'll still need to be cautious when making a payment, as banks will be able to refuse refunds where you haven't been "sufficiently careful" – and they can charge an excess on claims.

New rules are urgently needed to stop lenders overwhelming people with letters, calls, texts and emails about missed payments. Charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) and its chair, founder and core funder Martin Lewis are calling for the Government to make changes to prevent firms causing unnecessary distress to those already under strain.