Government

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has promised "tough and decisive action" against payday lenders that don't follow strict new rules, after taking over regulation of the consumer credit market from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) today.

Update: 12.01pm, 1 April 2014: It was confirmed to us at midday today (1 April), that this was a foolish policy after all and won't be going ahead. Mr I. M. Fibbing, senior lecturer in architecture at a red brick university, says: "We're relieved that this was just a silly joke."

If you're aged over 74, you could be entitled to backdated cash from the Government to help cover the cost of energy bills. But you need to be quick, as you'll need to post your claim form by Saturday at the very latest.

Big six energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is to freeze household gas and electricity prices until at least January 2016.

The Government has rebuffed MoneySavingExpert.com's calls to ban payday loan adverts from children's TV.

Smokers will be hit by higher prices as the Chancellor announced increases in tobacco duty in today's Budget. Meanwhile, the price of beer will fall by 1p.

Mobile provider Three is making calls to 0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers free, while it's also cutting the cost of dialling all other 08 numbers. But customers will have to take out a new contract to take advantage.

Major banks have pledged to provide current account data in a standardised format. The Government hopes it will encourage comparison sites that could help consumers check if they're getting the best deal.

Plans to give consumers greater access to ways of solving disputes with companies over goods and services have been outlined by the Government.