Archive for March, 2008
Water bills to rise in April
Consumer across England and Wales are to see their water bills rise by 5.8% from April according to a recent report. Figures suggest that the average 5.8% rise will equate to around £18 per year more for the average household, and although this does not seem a lot it is simply another increased bill for many households that are already struggling to keep on top of rising repayment.
Popularity: 30% [?]
Limit the information you put on social networking sites
Consumers are being warned to limit the amount and type of information that they place on social networking sites such as Facebook, with officials warning that the information placed on these sites could help thieves and fraudsters to gather enough information to commit fraud or in some cases even to commit burglary. This sort of website has soared in popularity over recent years, and the information that members place on the site can often be seen by thousands of other members.
Popularity: 23% [?]
Household finances hit by a number of rises
Since August 2006 things have gone from bad to worse for many households, with interest rates rising five times between August 2006 and July 2007, each time by 0.25%. This saw the base rate soar to 5.75% from 4.5% in this period, and many homeowners on variable rate mortgages struggled to find the money to meet their rapidly rising repayments, which in turn affected consumer confidence and had a knock on effect on the economy.
Popularity: 31% [?]
Can the Rock win over consumer confidence?
Since the crisis that surrounded Northern Rock last year, when it was discovered that the Rock had taken an emergency loan from the Bank of England, things have gone from bad to worse for the stricken lender. First share prices plummeted, then customers withdrew over £2 billion in savings over the space of a few days amidst fears that the bank was on the verge of collapse, and then talks with private buyers relating to the sale of the bank proved to be fruitless.
Popularity: 30% [?]
Ofgem launches energy firm investigation
The UK’s energy regulator Ofgem has recently announced that it is investigating competition issues amongst the UK’s major energy suppliers following worries about how much residential customers parti poker netpoker regeln holdfive card draw pokerparty poker bonus,party poker 50 bonus,bonus bei party pokerpoker um geld spielensichere online spielepoker anleitung texas holdempoker no deposit bonusparty poker downloadmultiplayer championship poker texas holdempoker software gratisomaha poker rulesonline spielenpoker texaspoker kostenlosplay omaha pokerpoker stars bonus code7 card stud downloadfull tilt poker bonustexas holdem poker handsregeln zu pokerplay omaha poker onlinetexas holdem ohne anmeldungonline poker für macgratis poker gamespoker spiel downloadentexas holdem wahrscheinlichkeitpoker java gamewww poker spielenpoker taxas holdempoker signup bonuspokerstars bonusparty poker net cheatsholdem poker pc gamewo kann man poker spielenonline poker detexas holdem poker downloadmultiplayer championship poker holdemtexas holdem no limit regelnparty poker 75draw poker onlinevincere poker onlinesoftware cartepoker texano on linestip poker gratisil poker onlinestrategie texas holdemfull tilt pokerpoker roompoker texas holdem,tornei poker texas holdem,regolamento poker texas holdem and small business are having to pay for their energy. At the start of this year the major suppliers all announced pretty hefty energy usage price hikes, yet a number of them have also reported soaring profits for last year, which has angered campaigners and consumers.
Popularity: 36% [?]
No apology for Egg customers
Earlier this week the former consumer affairs minister and Labour MP Nigel Griffiths announced that he had a meeting with the Chief Executive of financial giant Egg, Ian Kerr. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent withdrawal of the credit cards of 161,000 consumers following a review of over two million credit card accounts.
Popularity: 36% [?]
More people continue to leave First Direct
Recent figures have shown that many customers have left – and are continuing to leave – the UK’s best known Internet bank, First Direct. A subsidiary of HSBC, First Direct has claimed to be the UK’s most recommended Internet bank, and although it was very popular recent changes have led in many customers losing faith in the bank and heading elsewhere. Many people have decided to leave because of a £10 charge that the bank now applies to certain customers.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Interest rate rises mean more good news for savers
Although the latest interest rate rise has dealt yet another blow to homeowners and those with variable rate loans, it could prove very fruitful to those with savings accounts, as a number of banks have decided to apply the full rate rise onto savers, which means that customers could start seeing a healthy profit rolling in from interest, particularly on larger deposits.
Popularity: 41% [?]
Bill suggests that other banks could be nationalised if problems arise
The emergency Bill that was recently rushed through parliament in order to allow the nationalisation of the ailing bank Northern Rock is causing concern amongst some industry professionals with many worries that the nature and wording of the Bill means that other banks that experience similar problems to Northern Rock could also end up passing into public ownership, which could result in further negative impact on taxpayer’s money.
Popularity: 37% [?]
Regulators crack down on financial advisors
Financial advisors in the UK are now to come under scrutiny by financial regulators as part of a crackdown on services from independent financial advisers in operation. Financial regulators have been coming down hard in many areas over the past few months, and financial advisers are the latest to come under the eye of regulatory officials. The problems stem from the way that these financial advisors take their commission from providers that they recommend to customers, yet still class themselves as being independent.
Popularity: 31% [?]