News - January 2012

gavel main more
30 Jan 12

Lenders to see tougher regulation

Short-term credit providers, including payday lenders, are to face much tougher regulation once the new Financial Conduct Authority takes over from the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) according to proposals set out in the Financial Services Bill.

Coins in hand more
25 Jan 12

Low and middle income households continue to be squeezed

Research from think tank the Resolution Foundation highlights the ongoing struggle that low-to-middle income households face in meeting living costs.

Hands Pointing more
25 Jan 12

Government to introduce co-operatives bill

The Government has announced it is to introduce a Co-operatives Bill which will bring together the 17 Acts which currently make up the legal framework for co-operatives.

Older lady with cup of tea more
25 Jan 12

Research reveals older people struggling financially

A report by Age UK has highlighted the struggle that many pensioners face to manage financially.

Xmas gift more
23 Jan 12

MP pushes for quicker farepak compensation

An MP has urged the government to speed up the compensation process for people who lost money when the xmas savings company went bust. It has now emerged that 200 customers have died without receiving any money.

Money House more
23 Jan 12

Organisations chosen for direct benefit payment pilots

The government has announced the five partnerships between councils and housing associations that will pilot the governments plans for direct benefit payments.

Line Graph Main more
19 Jan 12

UK unemployment reaches 2.69 million

Unemployment in the UK increased by 118,000 in the three months to November to 2.69 million according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. The unemployment rate now stands at 8.4% the highest since January 1996.

ed miliband more
19 Jan 12

Miliband calls for end to ‘rip-off culture’

Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, has said there should be a crack down on companies levying extortionate fees for services such as banking or energy.

Calculator and pen more
19 Jan 12

Prime Minister responds to financial education letter

Prime Minister, David Cameron has responded to an open letter from MoneySavingExpert.com founder, Martin Lewis, about making financial education compulsory in schools.

coats more
19 Jan 12

Fashion Auction to tackle poverty

Welfare charity Elizabeth Finn Care is running its Wrap Up Against Poverty campaign for the second year.

Housing and money more
19 Jan 12

People cutting back on food and energy to pay for housing

Research from Shelter suggests that more than one in five people have cut their spending on gas and electricity to pay for housing costs in the last year. During this time one third of people surveyed said they had spent less on food to cover their mortgage or rent.

mobile phone home more
17 Jan 12

Consumers willing to pay for digital banking services

Research by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests that the majority of consumers are prepared to pay a monthly fee for digital banking services.