2023

Unmarried bereaved parents have been left saddened and confused after claims for financial support were rejected or they got less than they were initially entitled to. Both problems are due to misleading info on Gov.uk about the support. MoneySavingExpert.com has written to the Government urging it to clarify its guidance to help prevent further confusion among claimants.

Three million Tesco Clubcard-holders need to spend £11.5 million worth of vouchers before they expire at the end of this month. Alternatively, if you'd rather hang on to the vouchers, we've got a trick to extend their validity beyond Thursday 31 August.

Banks and building societies will face fines if they fail to protect consumers' free access to cash under new powers being given to the financial regulator. 

Rail fares in England WON'T go up by 9% next year, the Government has announced. While the new fares are yet to be confirmed, any increase would come into force in March 2024.

NS&I will increase its Premium Bond prize-fund rate to 4.65% from 4% for its September 2023 draw and beyond, with an extra £66 million in prizes up for grabs. This latest increase – the eighth we've seen in just over a year – is to the highest rate since March 1999. The odds of winning will also increase from 22,000 to one to 21,000 to one.

Broadband customers switching to or from cable networks including Virgin Media, Hyperoptic and others will still have to contact both their new and existing provider when moving across, as plans to introduce easier 'one touch' switching from April 2023 have been delayed. 

The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 5% to 5.25% – its highest level in over 15 years. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn.

Over six million disabled people claiming certain benefits have now been sent a £150 one-off cost of living payment. If you haven't got yours, don't panic – we've got all you need to know on how to claim your missing payment. 

Homeowners in England who used a Government scheme to get onto the property ladder are now struggling to get the vital paperwork they need to remortgage or sell because they can't get through to the helpline. MoneySavers say they've spent hours trying to contact the scheme's newly appointed administrator.  

Today (31 July) is the last day you can use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free through the Royal Mail scheme.