BIS

Energy, mobile phone, credit card and current account providers may be forced to give customers the information they hold on them in future, so consumers can use the details to make better decisions about cutting costs and managing money.

MoneySavingExpert.com creator Martin Lewis has criticised payday lenders in a meeting with MPs, saying: "I think we'd all be a lot better off without them."

The Government has confirmed it will ban excessive charges for using credit and debit cards and has launched a consultation on how to implement these plans.

A High Court judge has blamed banking giant Hbos for the collapse of Christmas sales firm Farepak, which folded six years ago leaving tens of thousands of savers out of pocket.

Vulnerable borrowers could be better protected against payday loan companies, after lenders agreed to improve their codes of practice under Government pressure.

Graduates are likely to see a fall in the interest rate, or maximum interest, they pay on student loans from September.

Citizens Advice will replace the taxpayer-funded Consumer Focus group under Government plans to shake up the consumer protection system.

Every active credit card user will get a clearer indication of what their plastic really costs them, as they will now receive an annual statement detailing all fees charged over the year.

Tougher action is needed to clampdown on "opaque and poorly regulated" commercial debt management companies and payday lenders, a report from MPs urged today.