MoneySavingExpert News
Financial Conduct Authority

Help for struggling mortgage borrowers confirmed – but Martin Lewis says it's 'a thin sandwich'
New guidance designed to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments has been published by the financial regulator, though it has been likened to an "empty sandwich" by MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis.
10 March 2023

More than seven million people now struggling to pay their bills - here's the help you can get if you're facing financial difficulty
Almost eight million people in the UK are currently struggling to pay their bills, according to the financial regulator. If you are facing financial difficulty, we explain how to check if you're eligible for support and how to try and cut costs and save on essential bills.
21 October 2022

'Buy now, pay later' firms, and retailers offering their services, warned not to mislead shoppers in adverts - here's what to watch out for
'Buy now, pay later' (BNPL) firms - and retailers promoting their services - have been warned by the financial regulator not to mislead shoppers in adverts and promotions.
19 August 2022

Buying a prepaid funeral plan? You now have more protection after regulator intervenes
From today, all prepaid funeral plans in the UK will be policed by the financial regulator – meaning you'll be protected if you buy a plan from an authorised firm and it later goes bust.
29 July 2022

Financial watchdog tells lenders to treat borrowers better as the cost of living crisis worsens - here's all you need to know
Lenders must make sure they're meeting customers' needs as more people are turning to borrowing as the cost of living rises, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says. The regulator has written to 3,500 lenders to remind them of the standards they should meet.
16 June 2022

London Capital & Finance victims could get more FCA compensation following its failings, complaints commissioner says
London Capital & Finance (LCF) investors could get more compensation after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was criticised over the way it treated victims. The regulators complaints commissioner said the FCA’s approach is “unjustified” and does “not stand up to scrutiny”.
18 March 2022

Claim management firms now have their fees capped by the Financial Conduct Authority - here's what this means for the consumer
A cap on the fees claims management companies charge customers has been introduced by the financial services regulator today, which it says will leave some people £1,000's better off.
1 March 2022

Buy now, pay later shoppers could be due a refund if they were charged a late payment fee, under new FCA proposals
Shoppers using certain buy now, pay later services may be due refunds after wrongly being charged late payment fees.
14 February 2022

Financial watchdog releases Christmas anti-fraud jingle to help consumers scupper loan fee scammers
The finance watchdog has released a Christmas jingle music video as part of an anti-fraud campaign to help protect consumers from loan fee fraud this festive season.
9 December 2021

Financial firms will have new duty to act in consumers' best interests under sweeping plans
The financial watchdog has proposed sweeping changes that would mean financial service providers give consumers better protection while preventing them from harm before it even happens.
7 December 2021
22 March 2023
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Beat April price hikes
Martin's 11 must-do NOWs
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Superfast fibre '£18/month'
Broadband hikes are coming
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15GB data Sim for '£5/month'
Or '£9/month' for 100GB
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Tesco Clubcard triple-up axed
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FREE £50 investment
It's back!
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Important Budget briefing
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New cost of living payments to start on 25 April – here's who qualifies, how much you'll get and if you need to apply
27 March 2023Millions of the UK's poorest households will start to receive the first third of their £900 cost of living payment from 25 April, the Government has confirmed today. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and when you'll get your payment. -
Ovo launches one-year fixed tariff – Martin Lewis gives his quick analysis on if it's worth considering
27 March 2023Almost every household has been charged the same price for their energy over the last year under the Energy Price Cap (EPC) and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), with no cheaper fixed deals to switch to. That has now changed, with Ovo launching a one-year fix for existing customers that undercuts the EPG level of £2,500 a year. -
Barclays to shut 14 more branches in yet another round of closures – here's the full list, plus alternatives
27 March 2023The latest closures now mean Barclays will close at least 55 branches by the end of the year. -
BT customers 'forced into overdrafts' after duplicate payment error - here's what you need to know
24 March 2023BT customers have complained that they've been forced into overdrafts after payments were wrongly taken twice this month. The telecommunications giant said it will refund any duplicate payments taken automatically. -
Martin Lewis: Four urgent ways you may be due £1,000s in tax back – if you're married, had a PPI payout, wear a work uniform or even just pay tax
23 March 2023If you're married or in a civil partnership, have ever had a PPI payout, wear a uniform to work or pay any income tax, you could be due £100s or even £1,000s in tax back – but you'll need to check urgently.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022Update 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... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.