http://www.uswitch.com/ uSwitch 801289722 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/brits-compulsively-checking-bank-balances-801289722/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The UK has turned into a nation of compulsive bank balance checkers due to the economic downturn, research shows. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:54:17 GMT 801289712 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/savers-are-still-not-checking-interest-rates-801289712/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Brits are doing their best to put money into savings despite difficult economic times, though most fail to check how much interest they are making, it has emerged. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:48:41 GMT 801288359 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/childcare-loan-proposals-floated-801288359/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Proposals to allow parents to borrow money from the government to cover childcare costs have been put forward by a leading thinktank. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:53:38 GMT 801287066 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/payday-loan-companies-encourage-borrowing-for-plastic-surgery-801287066/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Payday loan companies have been criticised for encouraging unsecured borrowing in order to fund cosmetic surgery. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:45:00 GMT 801287053 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/brits-believe-house-prices-and-rents-will-rise-in-2012-801287053/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com A third of homeowners in the UK believe that house prices will rise throughout 2012, according to new research. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:40:53 GMT 801287046 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/lloyds-tsb-calls-for-junior-isas-for-those-with-ctf-801287046/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Lloyds TSB is among those calling for parents of children with child trust funds (CTFs) to be able to transfer the money into Junior ISAs. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:38:59 GMT 801285805 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/tesco-bank-current-account-faces-further-delays-801285805/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Tesco Bank's plans to launch a current account are to be delayed further, as computer problems and product development issues are smoothed out. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:34:12 GMT 801285804 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/virgin-money-brings-two-new-products-onto-the-market-801285804/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Customers will be able to open two new savings accounts at branches of Northern Rock as Virgin Money extends its range of products. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:31:39 GMT 801284678 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/loans-credit-cards-and-overdrafts-mean-7900-debt-for-households-801284678/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Loans, credit cards and overdrafts mean that the average household in the UK has a total of £7,900 in debt, new research shows. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:25:22 GMT 801284676 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/brits-sitting-on-hundreds-of-loyalty-points-801284676/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Cash strapped loyalty card holders could use their points to save money, but many are sitting on unused reward credit, a study has found. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:23:44 GMT 801283128 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/american-express-becomes-highest-cashback-credit-card-801283128/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The American Express Platinum Cashback credit card is now the highest on the market after it doubled its introductory rate. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:50:17 GMT 801283127 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/more-deals-and-lower-interest-rates-in-buy-to-let-market-801283127/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com With around 100 more deals than a year ago and decreased interest rates, the buy-to-let market is a competitive place. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:48:46 GMT 801283124 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/chinese-saving-four-times-as-much-as-brits--801283124/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com According to research by Lloyds TSB, the typical British household has £5,000 in savings compared with £19,000 in China. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:47:03 GMT 801282030 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/government-scheme-to-kick-start-the-housing-market-launched-801282030/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The NewBuy Guarantee Scheme has been announced by the government in an attempt to kick-start the housing market. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:45:33 GMT 801282022 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/new-rules-unlikely-to-curb-payday-loan-company-practices-801282022/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Updating the code of practice by which payday loan companies adhere to is unlikely to protect the most vulnerable, consumer rights groups have said. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:42:55 GMT 801280734 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/house-prices-in-modest-decline-801280734/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The first report on the price of houses in January suggests that the market experienced a slight decline of 0.2% at the beginning of this year. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:52:56 GMT 801279393 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/credit-cards-being-used-by-businesses-to-meet-tax-bills-801279393/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com There are a large number of companies who are using their credit cards in order to pay HM Revenue and Customs, a Freedom of Information request has uncovered. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:18:28 GMT 801277922 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/unsolicited-text-messages-could-lead-to-fines-801277922/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Companies which send out unsolicited text messages about credit or compensation could face fines of up to £500,000. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:16:30 GMT 801277915 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/charity-credit-cards-to-be-scrapped-by-lloyds-801277915/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Lloyds Banking Group is to scrap Halifax and Bank of Scotland charity credit cards by the end of February after 23 years of raising money for good causes. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:14:52 GMT 801277909 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/renting-costs-1200-a-year-more-than-owning-a-house-801277909/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Renting a house has become £100 a month more expensive than owning one, according to research carried out by Halifax. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:13:35 GMT 801276537 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/hmrc-extends-self-assessment-tax-return-deadline-801276537/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has extended the deadline for submitting self-assessment tax returns as the original date will see many workers on strike. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:58:35 GMT 801276532 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/welsh-ams-call-for-interest-cap-on-payday-loans-801276532/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Welsh Assembly Members (AMs) have called for a cap on the amount of interest payday loans can charge in order to protect the vulnerable people such companies target. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:57:15 GMT 801276527 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/new-year-slump-for-high-street-801276527/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The UK is at risk of falling into recession as the high street has seen the biggest slump in sales since the economic downturn began. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:55:49 GMT 900005702 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/fsa-reports-ppi-compensation-record-900005702/ alex.kouzarides@uswitch.com Almost £380m was paid out in compensation in November 2011 to consumers mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI). Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:07:00 GMT 801275387 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/increase-income-tax-threshold-faster-says-clegg-801275387/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Nick Clegg is calling for the implementation of a rise in the income tax threshold to £10,000 to being carried out earlier. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:32:04 GMT 801275376 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/raising-a-child-costs-55-per-cent-more-than-nine-years-ago-801275376/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The cost of raising a child has risen by 55% in the last nine years, according to a report by LV=. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:27:23 GMT 801275372 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/mortgage-lending-highest-in-december-801275372/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com December saw the highest level of gross mortgage lending of any month of 2011, new figures have shown. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:25:46 GMT 801274092 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/typical-family-debt-has-risen-by-48-per-cent-in-a-year-801274092/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The average family now has debts of £7,944, which is a 48% rise in the space of a year, new research has found. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:40:43 GMT 801274089 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/saving-priorities-remain-unchanged-from-last-year-801274089/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The top two reasons for saving have not changed since last year, with a contingency plan for a rainy day and a holiday topping the list. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:39:22 GMT 801274088 http://www.uswitch.com/news/money/nsi-cuts-direct-saver-account-rates-801274088/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has cut the interest rates on its Direct Saver account from 1.75% to 1.5%. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:37:53 GMT