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Household Bills | Finance

Brits battle it out over turning the heating on

With winter months approaching Brits are taking drastic action to reduce the cost of their fuel bills, moneysupermarket.com can reveal.

Dropping heating cover could leave you out in the cold

As winter bites and with people still feeling the bitter chill of recession, new research from uSwitch.com, the independent price and comparison switching service, reveals a 40% drop in the number of people taking out or renewing heating cover compared to this time last year. As a result more than two thirds (65%) of households do not have any type of heating or boiler cover in place, potentially taking a risk with their finances and their health.

Orange to bring iPhone to UK on November 10

Orange has announced that it will launch iPhone in the UK on 10th November. iPhone 3G and 3GS will be available in Orange stores on Tuesday November 10 from 7am, with new great value Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go price plans for both business and consumer customers.

Don’t just tick the t&cs, says Which? Switch

Around half of consumers surveyed by Which? Switch didn't read, or only glanced at, the terms and conditions of their contracts when they changed their energy supplier.

Parents spend scary sums on treats this Halloween

British parents will dish out £200 million entertaining their children this Halloween according to a new study from Egg, the internet bank. The money, £15.12 per family, will go on sweets, outfits, parties and presents, with parents' entertainment starting in earnest during the October half-term break.

Forgetting to turn your clocks back could cost

RSA, the UK's first carbon neutral insurer, is warning businesses and households to check and reset the timers on their heating and other equipment this weekend when the clocks are turned back. The extra hour in bed could cause people to forget to turn off the heating or simply to reset it to a new time.

Throw-away Brits miss out on benefits of mobile recycling

New research from moneysupermarket.com shows 5.25 million mobile phones are thrown away each year despite the fact they are extremely hazardous to the environment if discarded.

ScottishPower fights back against small suppliers

One of the big six energy companies today staged a comeback against the challenge being presented by small suppliers OVO and First:Utility.

Price cut from Scottish Power

Commenting on today's price cut from Scottish Power, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "Scottish Power has certainly laid down the gauntlet today by undercutting its 'Big Six' rivals in the UK energy market with their Online Energy Saver 7 tariff. The average annual bill for this product is £952.36, however this change fails to undercut the prices announced yesterday by new entrant OVO Energy. The ‘New Energy' plan from OVO Energy remains the cheapest online dual fuel tariff at £920.68 a year. With two major price cuts in two days there is a real chance the rest of the players in the energy market will soon retaliate, which would mean more good news for UK bill payers.

Windfall for East Midlands as average energy bills drop below £900

Gareth Kloet, head of energy at Confused.com says "Scottish Power's Online Energy Saver 7, as well as being competitive, is also unique in offering customers cash back at yearly reassessment if they are found to be in credit.

Smaller broadband providers up speed war ante

Michael Phillips, product director, Broadbandchoices.co.uk said: "Today's announcement by Plusnet of its new ‘up to' 20Mb speed broadband service follows hot on the heels of Orange and Zen Internet. This is a clear indication that smaller broadband providers are not going to be muscled out by the big players when it comes to speed.

Finding the energy to switch

With a rise in energy prices imminent, fuel bills are front of mind for the majority of UK households, but new research shows that over half (51 per cent) of UK households have not yet thought of switching their energy supplier, suggesting complacency is putting a drain on the nation’s finances.

Clocking up higher energy bills

Darker evenings and cold weather will mean higher energy bills for many UK residents after the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. Many energy customers overlook the impact this has on their energy bills so to help consumers manage their energy usage, Ebico, the UK’s only not-for-profit energy company is providing consumers with a simple online tool to help monitor their gas and electricity consumption, which, research shows, could save an average of 15 per cent on household energy bills.

OVO now cheapest energy supplier

Small energy suppliers are challenging their bigger rivals and beating them on price yet again, says uSwitch.com.

Fuel poverty: Will the Government ever get a grip?

New figures out from the Citizens Advice Bureau reveal a surge in the number of people seeking help and advice regarding mounting household energy bills.

Orange introduces up to 20MB broadband as standard

Orange has announced that it will be making up to 20 Meg download speeds a standard across all its home broadband packages within the Orange broadband network area as part of a price plan refresh taking place with immediate effect. The pledge to provide faster download speeds builds on Orange’s commitment to enhance its broadband service, and ‘evolve’ the company’s home broadband offering in the UK.

Beware the silent killer

Confused.com is urging everyone to do a safety check on all their gas appliances, chimneys and flues, to protect themselves from the silent killer - Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Continuing increase in Brits struggling with fuel debts

During the first two quarters of this financial year, from April to September 2009, Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales have seen a 46% increase in the number of clients with fuel debts compared to the same period last year. This surge of CAB clients in debt to their fuel supplier continues an upward trend that has seen enquiries to bureaux about this issue rise 82% in the three years since 2005/6.

Ofgem to give more clout to consumers

Welcoming the announcement by energy industry regulator Ofgem that its probe is going to give more muscle to consumers, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "Ofgem is tackling market issues head on and giving more clout to consumers. The remedies it has laid out and is now driving forward are designed to ensure consumers are kept informed, protected and empowered to take part in the competitive market.

Britain scared of Christmas

Almost half of UK consumers (45 per cent) are worried about funding Christmas this year, according to research from moneysupermarket.com. Their fears may be justified as two thirds of the population (66 per cent) will not save enough cash in time to cover their Christmas costs, meaning credit cards, overdrafts, loans and December income will be used to take up the slack.

npower takes the sting out of switching

Gareth Kloet, Head of Utilities at Confused.com comments on npower's new fixed tariffs: "In the wake of Ofgem's report that suggests consumers will see further rises in prices from the ‘big six' energy providers in the future, it is pleasing to see one of them respond with new competitive fixed rate tariffs.

Online customers benefit from energy price cuts

While the majority of households have seen energy prices drop by 4% or £54 this year, new research from uSwitch.com reveals that households who are on suppliers' online plans have enjoyed cuts three times this size. Since the beginning of 2009 their prices have been reduced by a healthy 12% or £133, leaving online customers paying £249 less than standard customers.

Broadband customers fork out calling for help

2009 has been another flourishing year for the broadband industry, with consumers spending a whopping £2.6 billion on their service. And yet a survey of over 12,000 customers reveals that all is not well in broadband-land when it comes to getting help when things go wrong. Only 1 in 2 broadband customers (55%) are satisfied with the technical support offered by their broadband company and nearly £6 million a year is spent calling technical helplines.

UK to see explosion in 3G and mobile broadband services

The UK's digital infrastructure is set to be boosted by the roll-out of next generation wireless broadband services and enhanced 3G coverage to as much as 90% of the country.

The post-recession Brit binge

Despite today's era of ‘new austerity' being beneficial for the nations' health, two in three people (65%) will slip back into unhealthy pre-recession habits, research by Aviva reveals.

Stable gas and electricity bills bring down CPI

CPI annual inflation - the Government's target measure - was 1.1 per cent in September, down from 1.6 per cent in August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Sainsbury's Finance to make shopping more rewarding

Sainsbury's Finance has launched an innovative reward approach which will see Sainsbury's shoppers rewarded for buying its financial services products.

Sky launch music download and streaming service

Commenting on the launch of Sky Songs, a music download and streaming service from Sky, James Parker, manager of broadband at moneysupermarket.com said, "This is an interesting move from Sky and a similar one to those we have seen recently from Orange with their latest tariff ‘Monkey', and from Spotify who have launched a subscription service for the iPhone. On the face of it Sky Songs seems like a great offer and provides some real competition to iTunes.

Household bills could hit almost £2,000 in 7 years time

uSwitch.com welcomes Ofgem's report as it provides clarity about the issues facing Britain and the security of its energy supplies.

O2 launches greener handset

As part of its drive to embed Sustainability at the core of its business, O2 today announces the launch of the Sony Ericsson Naite. The handset, which will be brought first to market by O2, is the first of the manufacturer’s GreenHeart range and sees its overall carbon footprint reduced by 15 per cent.

Consumer confidence rises

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by six points in September, increasing to 71 from 65 in August. The Index is now 24 points higher than it was a year ago.

The tipping economy

Despite the economic downturn, four out of five Britons (81%) still tip for good service, a new study reveals.

Broadband gripes going unresolved

British broadband customers are still facing difficulties when it comes to resolving disputes with their ISP, according to research from Broadbandchoices.co.uk. Worryingly, less than half of broadband users (46%) feel their complaints are being successfully resolved despite there being a formal code of practice in place designed to make the process easier.

first utility remains cheapest national dual fuel provider

first:utility, UK independent energy supplier, is once again the UK’s cheapest dual fuel provider due to price cuts to its iSave and Smart tariff.

Less welcome change to E.ON's billing process

Following hot on the heels of its move to bill all new cash and cheque customers on a monthly basis, E.ON has announced that it is to send only two bills a year to monthly direct debit customers.

Don't settle for any old energy tariff

During last year's unprecedented price rises which saw average energy bills rise by a staggering 42%, 1 in 5 customers opted for a fixed rate deal - a fantastic move for those that wanted to shield themselves from rising prices.

Are you paying more than you should for water?

Many households will now have received the second water bill of the year, and the Consumer Council for Water recommends customers take ten minutes to look through what they are paying for and that charges for water and sewerage services are correct.

O2 to launch Palm Pre in UK on 16 October

O2 has confirmed that the Palm Pre phone will be available in the UK on 16 October exclusively on the O2 network. Customers can purchase the new device directly from O2, the Carphone Warehouse, Phones4U and Business partners who are part of O2’s specific partner programme. It will also be available for purchase online from the O2 shop at o2.co.uk/shop.

Brits regret careless spending

With the recession biting hard, over a third of Britains wish they had been more responsible with money, according to those surveyed as part of Simplyhealth's Bothered Britain Report.

Britain's broadband bugbears revealed

A new survey of some 4,000 broadband customers, conducted by Broadbandchoices.co.uk, has revealed what is most important to broadband users and also what aspects cause the most dissatisfaction and drive them to lodge a complaint.

New tariffs put main energy players back on top

Gareth Kloet, head on Energy comments "In a move suggesting that the Big Six are still more concerned with competing with each other and are not feeling the heat from the up and coming companies challenging them on the best buy tables, Scottish Power has released a new table topping tariff today.

Fed up consumers slam door on energy salesmen

uSwitch.com is calling on industry regulator Ofgem to bring out tougher rules and regulations to govern energy doorstep and direct salesmen, after new research revealed that their sales tactics are leaving people feeling pressured, intimidated and on the wrong energy plan for their needs.

Online energy bills fall below £1,000

There is good news for householders as the average online household energy bill falls below £1,000 for the first time this year.

Scottish Power's Online Energy Saver 7 tariff

Commenting on the launch of Scottish Power's new Online Energy Saver 7 tariff, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "With this new tariff, Scottish Power has manoeuvred itself as the cheapest energy provider out of the UK ‘Big Six' at £975 per year on average. Not only this, but it also undercuts new entrant OVO Energy and now only lags behind First Utility in the price stakes as they maintain their hold on the cheapest tariff in the whole of the UK energy market.

E.ON reduces cost of FixOnline V3 tariff

Commenting on E.ON reducing the cost of its FixOnline V3 tariff, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "This bold move will be welcomed by British bill payers, in one fell swoop E.ON has undercut big names like EDF Energy and British Gas to offer its FixOnline V3 tariff at £981.14 a year on average. However, this move by one of the traditional 'Big Six' providers has failed to challenge newcomers to the market, First Utility and OVO Energy, who hold the top two spots with their average bills sitting at £964.99 and £978.67 respectively. These smaller providers threw down the gauntlet from the off and have the most competitive deals in the market. With the battle lines drawn UK consumers face a choice of 'brand versus price' and will now have to decide what is more important.

Brits struggle to cope with essential bills

Despite recent talk of green shoots, a new report reveals that as many as 12 million Brits (25%)are currently struggling to cope with their monthly bills. A figure that could increase to 18.8 million (39%) if bills rose by up to £50 per month.

£6 broadband tax to be pushed through before election

Michael Phillips, product director, said: "Our concern is that the upgrading of the UK's broadband infrastructure is a mammoth undertaking and this unpopular tax will barely make a dent in the likely total cost.

Latest fixed energy deals to come to an end

Commenting on the latest fixed energy deals to come to an end, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "British bill payers need to be on their guard as four fixed tariffs from the ‘Big Six' energy providers come to an end soon. EDF's Price Freeze 2009 and Scottish Power's Fixed Price Energy Oct 2009 will expire on September 30, and E.ON's Price Protection v16 and v17 will finish on the first of October.

New broadband tax 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'

The minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms has today spoken of a new 50p per month tax for everyone with a fixed line telephone, enforceable ‘before the next election', to fund the development of high speed broadband networks.

E.ON changes billing process

E.ON has announced that, with immediate effect, customers who are acquired on a cash or cheque payment method will be billed monthly instead of quarterly.

Only 52% of energy customers satisfied with customer service

A year of price cuts has seen the energy industry improve its image in the eyes of consumers, according to the latest independent Customer Satisfaction Report published by uSwitch.com. 65% of energy customers are satisfied with their supplier - a 6% increase on last year when suppliers' popularity suffered because of eye watering price hikes totalling 42% or £381.

Hidden broadband charges

More than ever, consumers value broadband service providers that are honest and transparent, yet research from moneysupermarket.com shows that almost 8 million people have been stung with hidden charges allowing service providers to rake in £100m in extra revenue.

Warm Front scheme helps two million households

Two million vulnerable homes have now been helped through the Government's flagship scheme to tackle fuel poverty and fight climate change.

BT Vision launches Bolly and Beyond

BT Vision has launched Bolly and Beyond, the UK’s best value on demand service for South Asian films, TV, music and children’s programmes.

Openreach pilot to take broadband extra mile

Openreach announced a pilot of its Broadband Enabling Technology (BET), a new fixed-line solution for delivering broadband over much longer distances. The technology could play a major role in delivering broadband to current “not spots” – i.e. homes that are currently too far away from their local exchange to receive a broadband service – and thereby help the Government achieve its aims for a Digital Britain.

O2 launches My O2 iPhone app

O2 has announced My O2 for iPhone, an app designed to help make viewing the amount customers spend on their phones even easier. The app is now available as a free download on the Apple App Store.

INQ Mini 3G - under £60 and in 3 Stores for October

The INQ Mini 3G goes on sale early October, adding Twitter to the range of internet apps built into the phone.

Motorola introduces DEXT with MOTOBLUR

Motorola has unveiled its first Android powered device in the UK, the Motorola DEXT with MOTOBLUR, which will be ranged exclusively on the Orange network.

UK inflation rate falls to 1.6 per cent

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation, the Government’s target measure, was 1.6 per cent in August, down from 1.8 per cent in July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Consumer scheme helps households find energy best deal

Frontline workers have been armed with the know-how to help households, many of them in fuel poverty, save money through Energy Best Deal, a campaign launched last year by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, energy regulator Ofgem and national charity Citizens Advice. The campaign equipped frontline workers to give guidance on how to switch supplier or tariff and the range of help available from the Government and energy suppliers for people struggling to pay their energy bills. Consumers also attended the sessions, which were run across England and Wales.

New protection for consumers against mobile mis-selling

Telecoms regulator Ofcom is introducing a new general condition on sales and marketing practices that will apply to all mobile service providers from 16th September.

Telecoms deregulation set to bring better deals for consumers

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has removed one of the last pieces of regulation in the fixed-line telephone market, enabling BT to offer discounted communications ‘bundles' for the first time.

Monthly direct debit offers huge benefits

People are throwing money away by paying their energy bills with cash and cheque (CAC), says Confused.com. And with new entrants such as First: Utility continuing the energy price war - online tariffs have now reached their lowest price so far in 2009.

Unlimited texts, unlimited web access and limited price

O2 announces a new Pay & Go tariff designed to give Pay & Go customers unlimited peace of mind when surfing and texting. The tariff, Text & Web, would normally offer unlimited web access and unlimited text messages when customers top up £30 a month, however will offer this for just a £15 monthly top up to customers who join before 31 October.

Water damage to apartments costs Brits thousands

Leaking water pipes are causing billions of pounds worth of damage to flats and apartments as domestic water leaks are not repaired, according to new research by HomeServe.

One in three consumers feel rights are ignored

One in three people feel their consumer rights have been ignored and more than a quarter of people (28%) are more likely to complain about goods they bought during the economic downturn according to a new survey.

Brits opt for cosy night in to save cash

Recession hit Brits are reining in their spending and opting for free cosy nights in to save cash, according to research from moneysupermarket.com.

First Utility cheapest energy supplier

New research from Sainsbury's Loans reveals that there are currently just four lenders, of which it is one, offering an APR of less than 8% on unsecured loans on loan amounts between £5,000 and £15,000.

Why small can be beautiful when choosing energy suppliers

Consumers will welcome news that small energy suppliers are challenging their bigger rivals with market beating plans. The move will give more choice, especially for those looking for an alternative to the big six energy suppliers who dominate the market.

Confidence continues to edge upwards in August

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded a two point increase in August to 63. All the indices rose during the month with the Expectations Index seeing the biggest increase of three points to 94; continuing the general upward trend which began at the start of the year. The Present Situation Index, which has generally been falling since the end of 2007, rose by one point in August to 17; the first time this index has increased since April 2009.

Samsung Galaxy i7500 on sale with O2

Samsung Mobile UK has announced that its Galaxy handset (i7500) is now available on the O2 network in the UK through O2 stores, o2.co.uk and O2’s telesales team. The Samsung Galaxy is the company’s first device powered by Android, giving customers instant access to familiar applications, as well as access to a range of ever-expanding services being developed for the Android platform.

Brits satisfied with UK broadband but demand faster speeds

The results from 527 respondents to ISPreview.co.uk's latest survey reveal that 41.3% of Brits claim an "Average" level of satisfaction with their broadband ISP and 35.4% were "Very" satisfied, while only 23.1% expressed a deep dissatisfaction with their current provider. The overall level of satisfaction appears to be quite strong, yet consumers clearly still see a number of areas with room for improvement.

Broadband customers do not know limits

Despite widespread criticism of the policy of imposing limits on ‘unlimited' broadband packages, consumers are still being caught out. New research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that almost half (47%) of broadband users don't know the limit on their service. More worryingly, over a third (39%) believe that their broadband package is unlimited and could be opening themselves up to disconnection if they unknowingly exceed the providers limit.

Help lines turn Brits on and off

17 million Brits have called a customer helpline to fix a technical problem with their internet in the past 12 months and the most popular solution offered is ‘to turn the power on and off' according to a new poll by the leading price comparison website moneysupermarket.com.

Virgin Media cuts price of 50MB broadband

Commenting on the news that Virgin Media UK has cut the monthly price of its 50MB broadband package, James Parker, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com said, "This deal from Virgin offers great value for money on a package with unrivalled speed. For those people who download a lot or stream music or TV through Spotify or iPlayer then this deal will be hard to beat.

Orange brings Watchphone exclusively to UK

Orange have announced that the LG Touchscreen Watchphone (LG-GD910) will first go on sale in the UK in its Bond Street Station shop on Thursday, 27th August. Available for a limited time only, consumers will be able to purchase the must have gadget of the year at the exclusive price point of £500.

Vodafone delivers 14.4 Mbps Mobile Broadband network

Vodafone UK announces that it is delivering an enhanced Mobile Broadband network in areas of highest demand across the UK, utilising 14.4 Mbps capability to give more customers greater reliability and improved speeds on their mobile broadband devices.

BT presses the accelerator for broadband speed

BT offers millions of customers the chance to boost their broadband speed for free with the launch of faster headline speeds of up to 20Mb/s and the BT Broadband Accelerator.

Pensioners pay more money for less heat

New research adds to the evidence that some pensioners are turning down the heating or staying in bed to save on fuel bills. This is despite having to spend more money on energy as a result of huge increases in gas and electricity prices since 2004.

86% of people fail test to make energy bill add up

A straightforward test to see whether consumers can calculate an energy bill correctly has thrown up some shock results - with 86% of people getting it wrong. Of more than 2,700 people taking part almost 2,400 failed to make the bill add up correctly, even though they were allowed to make notes and use a calculator.

BT hits halfway to one million Wi-Fi hotspots

BT is halfway towards its goal this year of building a million-strong Wi-Fi hotspot network, the company announced today. High speed public wireless broadband is now available at 500,000 homes, businesses and city centres in the UK and Ireland.

Top tips for student mobile broadband deals

For the vast majority of students, broadband is a basic necessity - it can be used for research, socializing, entertainment and also for keeping on top of money management.

Brits spending less on wedding presents

Britons have cut the amount they spend on wedding presents for close family members by nearly 10 per cent since the credit crunch began but are continuing to spend the same amount on friends who are getting married, new research by Abbey General Insurance has revealed.

Shop and save the way forward

Industry figures reveal one-in-four homeowner's have cancelled their policies in an attempt to shave costs off monthly outgoings during the recession. The new problem of ‘insurance dieting' is both worrying and unnecessary.

Consumers unable to sue for £3.3 bn lost each year

Underhand sales practices are rife, new research by independent consumer champion Consumer Focus reveals. Three in five consumers said they had fallen victim to traders who had acted illegally in the last two years.

Brits cut back on wedding day luxuries

Couples planning their wedding day should also be planning how to pay for it, as research from AA Savings reveals that over 30% of engaged couples have less than £100 saved.

New online tariff launched by E.ON

Gareth Kloet, Head of Utilities at Confused.com says "Eon's newly launched FixOnline 3 tariff is a new blow to British Gas as it has undercut their brand new Websaver4 tariff to take the top best-buy position after just 48 hours in 11 out of the14 regions for those customers who have an ‘average' consumption.

Direct debit fears could cost energy consumers

Ofgem is being urged to act quickly to stem the flow of consumers ditching direct debits and opting to pay energy bills by cash or cheque instead. New data from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, shows a 7.3% drop in the number of switchers paying by fixed monthly direct debit, falling from 92% a year ago to 85.3% today. Across the market it could mean 342,000 households less a year taking up the option and losing out on discounts totalling £33.5 million as a result.

Winners and losers of the British summer

With the August Bank Holiday fast approaching and speculation about the weather set to continue, new research by The Co-operative Bank Credit Cards reveals the real winners and losers of the great British summer.

British Gas fights back in online price war

British Gas has launched a new online energy plan, finally stepping into the price war that lost it its crown as Britain's cheapest supplier. However, it hasn't made an all out bid to reclaim its title. Instead it has gone for a tactical approach, hitting EDF Energy in its ‘home' regions - the areas where it is the incumbent supplier.

Students spend 5% more in 2009

New research from the Halifax shows that the average student now spends 5% more on university term time costs than in 2008. This is despite 59% of students saying that they have cut back on spending due to the current economic climate.

CPI inflation unchanged while RPI rises to -1.4

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation was 1.8 per cent in July, the same as June, which is below the Government's 2 per cent target.

EDF Energy expands 'fly-by-night' top tariff

Commenting on EDF Energy expanding its ‘fly-by-night' top tariff, Scott Byrom, manager of utilities at moneysupermarket.com, said: "EDF Energy's market leading tariff - Online v5 - is now available to households in 10 out of the UK's 14 regions. However, EDF Energy is not promising this deal will be around forever and could pull this product at any time, those wanting to move on to such a cheap tariff need to do so as soon as possible.

Save money with broadband, phone and TV packages

The cost of broadband, mobile phone, landline and pay-TV subscriptions are amongst the only household bills to fall over the last 18 months, yet over 33 million people (69 per cent) have failed to ensure they are on the best deal by reviewing their subscriptions over the past year according to new research from moneysupermarket.com.

10 million Brits cut holiday budgets this summer

Volvo Car UK has joined Causton CID’s leading crime-fighters in a mission to rid the fictional village of Midsomer of its murderous reputation.

New tariff from British Gas

Gareth Kloet, Head of Utilities at Confused.com says, "After weeks of jostling for the best online tariff, British Gas has now stirred up the offline tariff market with the launch of its new Track and Save 2011. Aimed at those who buy from door-to-door salesmen, whilst it is competitive, it isn't as good value as its online equivalent (Websaver 3) which is £66 cheaper per year. And it's a massive £103 a year more expensive than the best online tariff currently available in the market.

Happy campers to get BT Wi-Fi

BT Openzone will provide Wi-Fi access at major UK holiday and leisure parks including 77 Camping and Caravanning Club sites, three Pontin’s sites plus locations at Coastfields Leisure sites in Skegness through a new partnership with Wicoms.

Brits hide debt from loved ones

Sainsbury's Finance believes that the current economic downturn is fuelling the nation's growing fear and embarrassment over personal finance matters and has launched a new website sainsburysfinance.co.uk/moneymatters, which explores many of the financial concerns and questions people might have.

Tell the door-to-door salesmen to buzz off

During the summer, door-to-door salesmen from energy companies are as prolific and as busy as bumble bees - but there can be a sting in the tail if you buy from them, as you could be paying over £130 per year more than the best tariff from that provider.

Broadband competition reaches 6 million milestone

The number of unbundled lines - where rival communications providers such as Sky or Carphone Warehouse offers services over BT's copper telephone network - has reached the 6 million mark.

Holidaymakers risk running up large mobile bills

Consumers risk running up large mobile phone bills while abroad, because they are in the dark about overseas charges, according to new research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service. Even though 91% of people take their mobile phones with them abroad on holiday, 85% aren't sure what they are being charged. And, despite best efforts to limit the impact of overseas charges, many are falling into little known, but avoidable, traps. As a result, over four in ten people (43%) have been shocked by an expensive phone bill when they have got home from holiday.

Shoppers need more protection

One in ten consumers are not receiving goods or services they pay for in advance, with less than half (48 per cent) getting their money back, says Consumer Focus, who are today calling for tough new measures to protect consumer prepayments.

Orange expands mobile broadband portfolio

Orange has today expanded its mobile broadband portfolio with a selection of new price plans which includes a new offer of mobile broadband for less than £5 a month for existing Orange customers - the lowest pay monthly mobile broadband price plan on the market. This builds on Orange’s commitment to offer UK customers greater choice and value, making it even easier for UK consumers to get online and get the content they want.

Football fans go into extra time for the new season

The kick-off to a new football season means fans will be wondering where all their time has gone – and they’ll need an average of 15.3 hours a week, according to new research from Virgin Money.

Mobile Wi-Fi coming soon to 3

3 UK will launch a Mobile Wi-Fi service - also known as MiFi - in time for Christmas this year, allowing you to use Wi-Fi wherever you can access the 3 network with a small wireless modem.

Consumer confidence remains stable

Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded a slight increase of one point in July. Overall, sentiment remained stable. While the Present Situation Index fell one point, this was countered by the Future Expectations Index which increased by one point. The most significant changes in consumer confidence this month are that confidence in spending has fallen and that for the first time for over a year, consumers expect the value of their homes to rise over the next six months.

Energy prices tumble as online price war hots up

Household energy prices are set to tumble again as E.ON launches a new online energy plan. The new plan sees E.ON become Britain's second cheapest energy supplier, coming just behind EDF Energy. E.ON's energy plan averages out at £1,017 a year, while EDF Energy's average bill size comes in at £983. However, EDF Energy's plan is only available in 10 out of 14 energy regions, which means that many households will not be able to benefit.

E.ON launches SaveOnline

As Brits continue to tighten their purse strings, E.ON has launched of ‘SaveOnline' which replaces EnergyOnline Extra Saver v14 as E.ON's cheapest available online energy product.

Virgin Media improved ‘National’ broadband product

Virgin Media has launched an advanced range of broadband products for customers who live beyond the reach of its next generation fibre optic network. To coincide with the launch, the company unveiled a new National Broadband Best Speed Promise, guaranteeing to banish unrealistic marketing speed claims and giving customers honest and transparent information about the technical capabilities of their broadband connection at point of sale.

BT Vision signs up ESPN's news sports channel

BT Vision and ESPN have agreed a deal for the new ESPN channel, which will offer live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football as well a wide range of international football and other sports.

Shoppers switch to supermarket brands

As food price increases start to slow down, it's not just the supermarkets that are busy battling the pricing war. New research from uSwitch.com reveals that 31 million (73%) shoppers are taking matters into their own hands by opting for supermarket own brand labels in a bid to save money on the weekly shop. This figure has tripled since August 2008 when just a quarter (25%) of shoppers were ditching premium labels to lighten the financial load of the weekly trolley dash.

Sky hits back of the net ahead of football season

Like the Premier League transfer merry-go-round there has been huge change to the TV packages on offer this summer.

Faster process for transferring mobile phone numbers

The time taken to transfer a number when a customer changes mobile provider could fall under Ofcom proposals published today.

Gas and electricity prices fall, time to switch?

All the main energy suppliers have cut their prices in recent months, so this summer's the time to consider switching, says the consumer champion's free independent service Which? Switch.

Homeowners spending power rises

UK homeowners with a mortgage have seen their spending power rise by a tenth over the past year, according to new research by Halifax. Between March 2008 and March 2009, the average monthly discretionary income of households with a mortgage rose from £892 to £989, an increase of 11% (£97).

Orange launches Pay As You Go free music service

Orange has unveiled Orange ‘Monkey’, the first Pay As You Go package for the UK market that offers free music to customers when they top up their mobile. Working together, Universal Music, Channel 4 and Orange have developed an innovative pay as you go package that gives customers free and easy access to hundreds of thousands of songs (plus free texts) streamed through any mobile handset and online at orange.co.uk/monkey from 30th July.

Further energy price cuts to come?

Centrica's results today reveal that while overall profits have fallen, British Gas residential has reported a significant uplift in profits as a result of falling wholesale prices. Some of these benefits have already been passed onto customers with two price cuts this year totalling £126 or 10%.

British Gas and AlertMe.com Home Energy Management trial

British Gas New Energy and AlertMe.com, the award- winning provider of smart energy saving systems for homes, have announced an agreement that will see the two companies trial home energy management technologies, to help British Gas customers cut their energy consumption, save money and reduce their household carbon emissions.

Dongle users urged to watch download limits

Three in four (78 per cent) people risk incurring additional charges for unknowingly exceeding their download limit according to a new survey from moneysupermarket.com.

Are you ‘qualified' to understand your energy bills?

Consumers urged to take the uSwitch.com Energy Bill Challenge and to sign an e-Petition to make energy bills simpler, clearer and easier for all to understand.

Broadband speed a big issue for consumers

Ofcom has published the results of its research into fixed-line broadband speeds in the UK. Speed has become more significant as people increasingly use the internet for bandwidth-hungry applications such as downloading video and audio, but there has been a lack of reliable information on the actual speeds delivered by ISPs.

VAT waived on charity text message donations

The Mobile Data Association, the not-for-profit mobile trade association, has announced a major breakthrough for the UK charity sector for donations via mobile. The move means charitable donations sent to a dedicated short code will have the VAT waived for registered charities.

EDF Energy fined £2 million for poor customer service

Energy regulator Ofgem is to fine EDF Energy Networks £2 million for failing to meet statutory timescales for providing offers to customers requesting a connection to its electricity networks.

45% of people ‘not qualified’ to understand energy bills

Almost three quarters of consumers (73%) think that a qualification in maths is needed to understand household energy bills, according to new research from uSwitch.com.

Water watchdog welcomes proposed deal on water prices

The Consumer Council for Water is pleased that the regulator, Ofwat, seems to have listened to customers when putting together its draft decisions on water price limits in England and Wales from 2010 to 2015.

Homephonechoices.co.uk secures cheapest line rental deal in UK

Homephonechoices.co.uk is delighted to announce it has secured the cheapest stand-alone line rental deal available in the UK, with no additional package costs.

OFT announces clearer terms for ticket-buyers

EDF in bid to become Britain's cheapest energy supplier

EDF Energy has made a bid to take over British Gas' spot as Britain's cheapest energy supplier. The French supplier has today launched a new online energy plan that will cost households £983 a year on average - undercutting British Gas' online plan by £35.

npower reignites energy price war with two new tariffs

Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at Confused.com, comments on npower's Sign Online v16 and Web 16 tariffs: "npower has become the first energy company to challenge British Gas's reign at the top of the energy best-buy tables, with the launch of its new Sign Online v16 and Web 16 tariffs.

Mobile termination rates cost customers

Mobile termination rates (MTRs) are the root of high call costs - in fact UK consumers spend up to £1 billion a year paying for them. They are the charges paid by operators to connect calls to mobiles and are at passed on to consumers for every minute of every call, however when surveyed nine out of 10 adults did not know what a termination rate actually is.

npower launches SOL 16 and Web 16

Today's product launches from energy giant npower now offer most UK bill payers classified as ‘low' or ‘high' users the cheapest deals on the market, according to moneysupermarket.com.

Cautious consumers turn to in-store credit

Latest industry figures from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumers are continuing to take a cautious approach to spending. Only the store instalment market is bucking the trend with an 8% increase in new business in the last three months.

BT customers face second price hike this year

Steve Weller, communications expert at uSwitch.com, comments on BT's price increase effective from 1st October 2009: "BT is planning a second price hike this year after customers have already seen an increase in day time call rates in March. This hike equates to a 34% increase in call charges since January for the 12 million BT customers in the UK. From 1 October calls will be 5.25 pence per minute, adding further pressure on bills. BT has also increased its call set-up fee by 32% this year - this will rise to 9.05p per call from October 2009 - hitting BT customers making non-inclusive calls. The moves come at a time when every penny counts to consumers and from the outside look as though BT is trying to drive customers to sign up to its inclusive plans by putting up prices elsewhere.

Chat dies as Brits let fingers do the talking instead

Millions fewer carrier bags on England's high streets

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has welcomed the news that leading supermarkets and their customers in England are now using 346 million fewer single-use carrier bags every month than in 2006, according to new figures published today.

Recession takes its toll on parents

Almost half of the UK's parents (48 per cent) are experiencing physical signs of stress due to the recession, with two thirds (64 per cent) worrying about paying the weekly food bill, reveals new research from Post Office Insurance.

Unplug appliances when on holiday and save money

This year's holiday makers could be missing a trick by leaving electrical devices on standby, wasting as much as £14 in energy usage during a fortnight's holiday, warns Tescocompare.com, the financial search engine.

O2 offer customers free SMS alerts from Twitter

O2 has announced an agreement with Twitter which will allow O2 customers to receive SMS alerts from Twitter for free from August. This joins existing agreements O2 has with Facebook and Bebo, meaning that O2 customers can enjoy free SMS alerts from all three main social networking sites.

Money can’t buy you love or good broadband

Some of the UK’s wealthiest inhabitants and most high-profile celebrities are being left out of the broadband revolution due to poor network availability in exclusive postcodes in the Home Counties, according to Top 10 Broadband.

UK inflation falls below 2%

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation fell to 1.8 per cent in June, down from 2.2 per cent in May and the first time it has fallen below the Government's 2 per cent target since September 2007.

Bills, bills, bills

The average British family is destined to pay out almost £1 million on household bills over the course of a lifetime according to new research, with one in three still not shopping around to find the best deals.

Recession hits North West hardest

New research has revealed that those in the North West have been hardest hit by the recession in the UK.

Time's up for fixed energy tariffs - where to now?

Brits who fixed their utility bills this time last year should now be scouring the market for the next best alternative to avoid paying over the odds, says moneysupermarket.com.

Recession increases parents' struggle to fund university costs

The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) annual survey into attitudes towards student debt suggests that almost three quarters (74%) of parents think that the recession is making it harder to fund their children through university.

Be a safe, savvy and saving student

Whether you're flying the nest for the first time or facing your finals, confused.com has advice for students moving into their new digs.

uSwitch, u save, u play rugby

Independent price comparison and switching service, uSwitch.com, has announced an innovative new joint marketing initiative with the RFU that will see local rugby clubs converting switching into much-needed cash. The new scheme is expected to kick-off with communications activity in July with around 1,500 selected RFU clubs. The actual fundraising starts in September.

Retired see cost of living rise faster than national average

MGM Advantage, the retirement income specialist, warns that retired people are seeing their cost of living rising at a much higher rate than the national average.

Consumer confidence rises in June

Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded an increase in June, moving up to 58 from 54 in May. This increase reflects that overall, consumers feel increasingly positive, as confidence levels are now very close to those recorded this time last year (59 in June 2008).

Monthly direct debit comes up trumps in energy bill battle

Brits looking to reduce their outgoings by cutting the costs of their utility bills should review their payment method, says moneysupermarket.com.

Broadband users ignoring the benefits of bundles

Almost a third of UK broadband users are not bundling their broadband service with home phone or digital TV despite the significant savings they could be making, according to research from BroadbandChoices.co.uk.

Understand your energy usage and reduce your bills

The recent heat wave isn't just good news for those wanting to spend more time in the sun, it is also good news for your energy bills. The long days and warm weather mean your energy consumption is at its lowest point in the year, and there has never been a better time to review your energy tariff - asking your supplier for a refund on any credit balance, learning more about where and when you use the most electricity, and comparing the market for more competitive deals, mean you'll be well prepared for when the expensive autumn and winter months arrive.

Parents prioritise children's dreams

Over 5.5 million young people in the UK are receiving financial help from their parents in order to realise their dreams and aspirations. In some cases this could lead to their parents abandoning their own dreams for the future and potentially undermining their finances, according to The Children's Mutual.

Don't get burnt by mobile phone charges this summer

With holiday season in full swing and the school break fast approaching, moneysupermarket.com advises how to make the most of your mobile phone abroad and avoid the traps when using internet enabled handsets or dongles.

British Gas to create 2,600 green jobs to roll out smart meters

British Gas has unveiled plans to create 2,600 skilled new jobs by 2012. The new recruits will lead the roll-out of smart meter technology across Britain - the biggest revolution in home energy use for decades.

Energy suppliers urged to improve complaint handling

Energy regulator Ofgem has urged suppliers to up their game in complaint handling as consumer research found less than one in four customers were satisfied with the way gripes were dealt with.

Utility bills leave consumers confused and bemused

Consumers are being left confused, badly informed and potentially vulnerable to debt because of the poor quality of some major household bills, according to uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service. The warning comes after new research revealed stark differences in the standard of bills being issued by different companies and sectors. While some are simple and straightforward for people to understand, others are leaving consumers totally confused.

Most UK broadband users dissatisfied with speeds

The results from 774 respondents to ISPreview.co.uk's latest survey reveals that 58.6% of UK consumers are still not satisfied with the broadband speed they receive from their current ISP and 55.2% would be willing to pay extra for “significantly faster” performance.

Energy customers being overcharged

Energy customers are being overcharged by a combined £1.66 billion this year (£74 per household), as declining wholesale costs have not been fully passed on by suppliers, according to research by Consumer Focus.

Confused.com: Advice to npower customers on fixed rate tariff

UK consumers set to more than double online spending

Online shopping in Britain is set to boom from £8.9 billion to as much as £21.3 billion in annual sales by the end of 2011, according to forecasts in a new report by online payment service PayPal. This forecast 137 per cent growth in online spending means consumers in 2011 will spend the equivalent of approximately £430 for every UK adult - more than doubling the current annual online spending.

Ensure energy bills match your consumption

Brits living in flats and terraced houses could be paying over the odds for their gas and electricity by not correctly identifying the best value energy product for their consumption, according to moneysupermarket.com.

Brits put TV before holidays and home improvements

Square-eyed Brits are more likely to cut back on holidays, eating out and home improvements than surrender their satellite TV subscriptions, according to Legal & General.

UK adults set to spend less on weddings this year

Cash strapped wedding guests are planning to dramatically reduce their spending on weddings this year, adding up to a total of £178 million less than before the recession kicked in, according to research by home and travel insurer LV=. On average, men plan to spend £62 on wedding gifts compared to women spending £40.

Household energy bills to hit almost £5K in 10 years time

UK workers admit to being creative with expenses

As the UK's government comes under increased scrutiny in the ongoing expenses scandal, it seems this type of activity is also an issue outside of the Commons. New research from uSwitch.com reveals that UK employees make an additional £503 million every year on expenses just by ‘exaggerating' claims or being economical with the truth.

UK inflation rate slows in May

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the Government's target measure - fell to 2.2 per cent in May, down from 2.3 per cent in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Free energy for a year from moneysupermarket.com

moneysupermarket.com is giving away free energy for a year to one lucky competition winner.

British broadband in the slow lane

New research from uSwitch.com, conducted among more than 12,000 broadband customers, reveals that only half (52%) of broadband users are happy with the speed they are getting from their service. The findings suggest that 6.75 million users (45%) would like their broadband service to be faster. The news follows a report from the BBC highlighting broadband ‘notspots' - areas of the country where consumers are getting broadband speeds of less than 2Mb - and adds to calls to Ofcom and the Government to drag Britain out of the broadband slow lane.

Holidaymakers fork out on essentials left at home

Forgetful British holidaymakers spend an astonishing £1 billion pounds replacing essential items that they've left at home, new research by Abbey Credit Cards has revealed.

Defying the credit crunch

It feels like the gloomiest economy ever, but savvy money managers stand to benefit in these tough times. As Brits face up to a bleak financial landscape, direct bank first direct has developed guidelines and tips designed to help them beat the credit crunch.

End of fixed price deals could cause £100 energy cost shock

Brits waste 85,000 tonnes of CO2 overcharging mobile phones

Mobiles are going green, yet despite the advent of eco mobile chargers, handsets made from recycled materials and the ability to easily recycle old handsets, Brits are still wasting energy and money by needlessly overcharging their mobiles according to research from the leading price comparison website moneysupermarket.com.

Switch to a better energy tariff, says Confused.com

With the onset of the hot weather signalling the start of summer, switching energy provider is likely to be the last thing on anyone's mind, as we assume the expensive months are over. But with so many tariffs available, the change in energy consumption that the summer can bring, can mean big savings if consumers switch provider or tariff.

Millions to benefit from free 20Mb/s broadband boost

Millions of homes and businesses are set to enjoy a free broadband boost after BT announced it will more than double the headline speeds for its residential and business customers. Businesses will start to benefit from today.

Consumer confidence continues to creep up in May

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by two points in May, a more moderate change following the sharp increase in April. The Expectations and Spending indices also recorded increases during the month to 76 and 101 respectively. The Present Situation Index fell to 17 in May from 21 in April.

OFGEM turns down the heat on energy suppliers

Gareth Kloet, head of energy at Confused.com, comments: "Consumers have been waiting with baited breath for OFGEM to come out with a report slamming suppliers for ripping them off, but the wait continues. OFGEM's analysis actually shows the market is working, and after an aggressive start with the ‘supply probe' last year, the regulator seems to be turning lukewarm on suppliers.

Households failing to take advantage of online energy deals

Are you ready for kick off this summer?

As the weather heats up so too does the summer schedule for sports fanatics - World Cup qualifiers, Lions Tour, Ashes Test Matches... the list is almost endless when it comes to the must see events of the summer sport season.

Record Cold Weather Payment payout for Age Concern customers

Brits splash out over £600 to attend a wedding

With the wedding season fast approaching, new research by Halifax Current Accounts reveals the true cost of attending a wedding, and shows, that even in uncertain times, guests are not cutting back in showing their loved ones how much they care.

London experiences biggest fall in retail prices

London experienced the largest decline in retail prices over the past year with a 2.8% fall between 2008 quarter one and 2009 quarter one, according to new research by Halifax. This was more than twice the 1.3% fall for the UK as a whole. However, despite this, the overall price level in the capital remains higher than any other UK region. All 12 UK regions recorded a decline in retail prices over the past 12 months.

Digital switch-off: a mystery to millions

After years of preparation and millions of pounds spent on advertising, almost half of all British adults (45 per cent) still do not know what the digital switchover actually entails according to research from moneysupermarket.com (LON:MONY).

A valuable recession lesson

As G20 leaders voted for a new era of economic change, 78% of consumers are planning to follow suit, committing to change the way they manage their personal finances through increased saving, spending within their limits and reviewing their finances more often. In fact, almost 2 million consumers are so shaken by the economic climate that they are planning to spend more time educating their children on the birds and bees of finance.

The UK's largest onshore wind farm is turned on

Wind turbines have the "Marmite" effect on most people - you either love them or you hate them, but one thing is for sure, in a world that needs to focus on renewable energy sources, wind farms are here to stay.

Scottish & Southern's electrifying dividend record

David Kuo, Director at the financial website The Motley Fool - Fool.co.uk, comments on the annual results for Scottish & Southern Energy: "Scottish & Southern Energy shareholders will be delighted by the company's decision to hike the total dividend payout for the year by 9% to 66p a share. Currently the shares yield 6%, which positions it as one of the highest yielding companies in the FTSE 100.

Consumer inflation continues to fall

CPI annual inflation – the Government's target measure – was 2.3 per cent in April, down from 2.9 per cent in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Consumers granted a swifter resolution to telecoms complaints

Ofcom today announced new rules to reduce the time consumers have to wait to seek an independent resolution to their disputes with communications providers from 12 weeks to 8 weeks, effective from 1st September 2009.

Online supermarket swap shops

Customers who buy groceries online may get some surprising swaps in their shop, says consumer group Which?.

"High Wire" Britain is in want of a safety net

People are balancing on a high wire with no safety net to protect the income that provides for the basic things in life, not to mention those little luxuries, according to new independent research commissioned by Scottish Provident.

Annual spend on digital TV tops £5 billion

With the digital switchover looming, nearly nine in ten households (89%) now have digital TV (DTV) on their main TV set. DTV customers are now spending more than £5 billion a year for their service, £1 billion or 23% more than last year. But, according to findings from uSwitch.com's second annual digital TV Customer Satisfaction report, as popularity and spend grows so do consumer expectations. And, unfortunately, many customers are finding their service a bit of a letdown.

Households paying up to £111 ‘loyalty tax’ to energy suppliers

Consumers who are still with their old regional electricity board are being urged to move to another supplier to avoid paying a local ‘loyalty tax'. According to uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, households who have stayed loyal to their incumbent supplier are paying up to 33% or £111 a year more for their electricity as a result. On average, this loyalty tax costs households 15% or £58, potentially adding up to £681 million in total to bills.

Energy provider loyalty leaves Brits out of pocket

British households languishing with the traditional gas and electricity provider for their region - the incumbent provider - are missing out on almost £2.5 billion in savings, according to research from moneysupermarket.com.

Brits could be overpaying for broadband by nearly 40%

As recession nips at the heels of cash-strapped consumers it is no surprise that cutting down on household costs has become a priority for many. However recent statistics have shown how broadband is being overlooked as a mere 10% of broadband users switched to a cheaper deal in 2008. This is a shame because consumers could save over £230 by choosing the right package.

The smarter way to save on energy

With the Government revealing its plans to install smart meters in all UK homes by 2020, Confused.com calls on the British public to take control of their energy consumption and read their own meters in the meantime.

UK Smart Meter roll out moves forward

All homes in Britain will have smart meters installed by 2020 under plans published today. Great Britain will be the first country in the world to have an overhaul of this size for both electricity and gas meters.

Culinary clumsiness costs homeowners dear

Attempts to save money by staying at home rather than going out could be costing Brits up to £1.5 billion a year, a new survey from AA Insurance reveals.

Consumers’ financial wellbeing shows glimmer of hope

Alliance Trust's ongoing study of consumers' financial wellbeing showed a slight up-tick in the first quarter of the year as household budgets improved. Overall, however, consumers remain under pressure and are likely to continue to rein in spending in line with the weak state of their finances.

Consumer confidence rises eight points in April

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by eight points to 50 in April, the largest single monthly rise for nearly two years.

Cost of household energy pushing consumers to go green

Over three quarters of households (78%) have become more energy efficient in the past 12 months and over a third of these (36%) have done so because of the rising cost of gas and electricity, according to new research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.