Consumer Focus
Spark to give £250K to Citizens Advice after 'serious breaches'
An Ofgem investigation found that Spark Energy breached switching rules and complaints handling regulations
16 February 2015
Consumer Futures calls for Spark Energy probe
Consumer Futures has referred Spark Energy to Ofgem following large numbers of customer complaints
21 May 2013
Firms 'should be clearer on regular card payments'
Traders may not be making it clear to consumers that they're being signed up to a Continuous Payment Authority
12 December 2012
Basic bank accounts 'should have clear standards'
Open a basic bank account online, great if you've no access to current accounts, after comparing the best products with Money Saving Expert Today
2 November 2012
The rogues that ignore 'no cold callers' signs
Charities and political parties are the worst offenders at ignoring 'no cold callers' signs, according to a new poll
18 May 2012
Banks 'give bad advice' over card payment cancellations
Some bank staff wrongly tell customers that regular card payments can't be cancelled, says Consumer Focus
2 May 2012
Group switching 'could transform utilities'
Collective switching by consumers between utility firms could finally end poor deals and unresponsiveness from suppliers
2 May 2012
Citizens Advice to replace axed Consumer Focus
Citizens Advice is to be given an enlarged role under Government plans to shake up the consumer protection system
11 April 2012
MPs demand clampdown on debt products
Tougher action is needed to control debt management companies and payday lenders, a new report says
7 March 2012
Thousands could miss out on Warm Front energy scheme
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action fear a scheme to help the poorest households make their homes warmer won't benefit enough people
27 January 2012
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20 October 2021
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Martin's mortgage heads-up
'Can you lock in cheaply now to save £1,000s?'
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Breakdown cover for TWO £54/yr
Full service
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Beware Klarna's new 'pay now' service
You may lose vital protections
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17 Netflix hacks
Watch Squid Games etc for less
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Martin's scam ads broadside
'It's a ludicrous plan'
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Ciate £148 of nail polish for £35
Via Advent calendar code
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John Lewis' £100 voucher is back
If you do BIG spends there
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Eight mortgage cost-cutting need-to-knows with interest rate rises on the cards
26 October 2021![]()
A UK rate rise is on the cards, so can you lock-in cheaply now to save £1,000s?. Here's Martin's mortgage heads up. -
Autumn Budget 2021: From minimum wage increases to national insurance hikes - here's what to watch out for
26 October 2021![]()
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver his Autumn Budget to the House of Commons on Wednesday 25 October, where he'll set out the Government’s financial strategy. -
Christmas supermarket delivery slots are now available - here's when and how to book
26 October 2021![]()
Ocado and Waitrose have begun taking bookings for food deliveries over the Christmas period and so we have compiled a full breakdown of what the other leading supermarkets are doing - but you may need to act quickly as many slots have already been taken. -
National living and minimum wage to increase in April
25 October 2021![]()
The national living wage paid to workers aged 23 and over will rise from £8.91/hr to £9.50/hr from 1 April, the Government has announced. The national minimum wage for workers aged under 23 and apprentices will also rise. -
University tuition fees frozen in England for the fifth year in a row
25 October 2021![]()
Full-time students studying for an undergraduate degree at a university in England will be charged no more than £9,250/yr in tuition fees in the 2022/23 academic year, the UK Government has confirmed.
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Five things EVERYONE should know about student finance
21 September 2021![]()
There are more myths and misunderstandings about student finance than any other subject. So in this blog is my updated 2021/22 version of the must knows, with links to far more info. -
Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2021![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of...
Clever ways to calculate your finances
