Student loans aren’t a debt – change the name to avert a national tragedy
Language is powerful. In some countries around the world that use our student finance system, repayments are called a contribution. In the UK we call it a loan – that’s killing us. With the increase in tuition fees, we risk damaging a generation of youth because of it. This isn’t solely about the fear-factor of huge ‘debts’,...
Universal credit will push people into 5,000% APR loans
Last week, on the BBC’s Daily Politics, I commented that the new universal credit system is likely to cause a budgeting bloodbath. Yesterday I was pleased to see a report from the Social Marketing Foundation echoing this (see the Monthly benefit payments ‘risk backfiring’ MSE News story). This is all about a nightmare transitional issue. As part...
Turning the MSE forum into a true social network…
The launch of the Citizens Advice Bureau board in the MSE forum is a more radical change than it may appear. Our forum has more active UK users than Twitter (source: YouGov), yet when social networks are discussed, it’s overlooked. After Facebook, the dominant UK social media platform are forums – MSE, Mumsnet, The Student Room, Digital...
Time to ban bank staff sales commission?
For too long, we’ve had speed-bump financial services with products launched, sold heavily by highly incentivised, ill-trained staff, then the brakes put-on with mis-selling reclaiming campaigns. That’s bad for both consumers and the industry. The regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), yesterday launched its report into how banks and other financial services staff are incentivised to flog...
A hidden way to boost Nationwide’s rates
It’s the UK’s biggest building society, widely trusted, with a loyal user base. Yet, if you like the strength and values of the Nationwide, you may be surprised that its existing customers don’t get the best deals – it often saves them for rate tarts going through its little known sub-brands. I was inspired to blog on...
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Recent Blogs
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Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
17 June 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills. -
Martin Lewis: What I asked the Chancellor to do when I spoke to him on Monday...
26 May 2022![]()
With the announcement of the Government's energy cost of living plans due out at lunchtime. I thought I'd speedily bash out a note down of what (from memory) I'd asked the Chancellor for when we spoke on Monday - and the other general suggestions I've been making. -
Martin Lewis: Got a cash ISA? You should probably ditch it
24 May 2022![]()
Press the rewind button and go way back to April 2015... Possibly on the telly in the corner of your living room, I was on-air at the time urging savers as usual to use their new tax-free cash ISA allowance – because 'money was nicer in an ISA'. But things changed in 2016. -
Martin Lewis: 'UO is just as important as UX: A tip for anyone developing their website or app'
6 May 2022![]()
I set up MoneySavingExpert.com nearly 20 years ago – when arguably the modern web was still in its infancy. With an abundance of self-belief (something I had too much of then, as I realise now) I decided not to read any books, or follow prevailing wisdom on how a site should operate – and just do it my way.
