News
Santander offers 98% mortgage for first-time buyers – with strict rules
2+ hour, 52+ min ago (535+ words) Fixed-rate loan will not be available on flats and new-builds, and loan must be no more than 4.45 times salary One of Britain's biggest banks has launched a mortgage that lets first-time buyers borrow up to 98% of the property's value " but…...
HMRC thinks I am someone else – and it’s costing me £450 a month
12+ hour, 56+ min ago (326+ words) Tax authority has associated a stranger's national insurance number to my own, and is charging me as if I have two jobs In November, HM Revenue and Customs randomly associated someone else's job to my national insurance (NI) number. I…...
UK new car buyers drive a bargain as average discount nears £6,000
3+ day, 17+ hour ago (735+ words) Motorists benefit as industry offers deals of up to 18% off to attract buyers for petrol, diesel and electric models If you are considering buying a new car, now might be the time to act as new data shows manufacturers and…...
Homes with air source heat pumps or solar panels for sale in England – in pictures
4+ day, 17+ hour ago (34+ words) From a renovated Victorian village house in Hampshire to a new-build apartment in south London Continue reading... From a renovated Victorian village house in Hampshire to a new-build apartment in south London...
‘Generational shift’ towards sparkling wine behind strong sales, says UK’s Chapel Down
5+ day, 2+ hour ago (584+ words) Kent-based producer sees better-than-expected 19% sales rise on back of millennials" preference for "lighter, crisper style of wine" Chapel Down has credited a "generational shift" towards sparkling wine for strong sales growth last year. The Kent-based wine maker, which listed on…...
Do dryer balls actually work? Yes, if you treat them like reusable dryer sheets
1+ week, 2+ day ago (925+ words) We tested side-by-side loads of laundry with and without dryer balls, and while not every claim panned out, they're still worth buying for softer, nicer-smelling clothes Break up with your liquid detergent. Try these plastic-free laundry sheets instead Whether you're…...
Ovo Energy fined £2.7m for failing to deliver government bill support on time
1+ week, 5+ day ago (529+ words) Regulator says thousands of UK's most vulnerable households missed rebate for months amid soaring costs Ovo Energy will pay a penalty of over "2.7m after failing to pass on government support payments for winter energy bills to thousands of vulnerable customers…...
Labour’s warm homes plan is all carrot and no stick for UK households
1+ week, 6+ day ago (391+ words) Grants, loans and "innovative finance" will fund green technology, with insulation no longer the main objective No ban on gas boilers in UK warm homes plan but heat pumps get "2.7bn push Attempts to insulate the UK"s draughty homes have…...
E.ON cancelled £13,000 bill it sent to my late mother, but still owes £3,360
2+ week, 1+ day ago (548+ words) A bereaved young customer was baffled by the wildly fluctuating balances the energy supplier claimed on a family's account When my mother died of cancer, my aunt adopted me. She, too, died of cancer in 2024. At 26, I am now alone…...
Expand credit unions to boost cheap credit to low-income people, Labour MPs urge Reeves
2+ week, 2+ day ago (654+ words) Influential MPs including committee chairs say millions could benefit with minor changes to financial inclusion bill A group of Labour MPs have called on Rachel Reeves to support a huge expansion of credit unions to increase access to cheap credit…...