2018

A new savings scheme which gives up to a £1,200 bonus to people on low incomes has been launched.

Economy Energy is hitting thousands of customers with an astonishing £300+/year rise – but many will be able to escape it by switching away, or in some cases an admin blunder means they'll beat the hike.  The fact the price is rising is not a surprise, as most energy firms are increasing costs. What is shocking is the scale of the rise, which is as big as we can remember in recent years. While on average it will lead to a rise of £311/yr on typical use – 38% – some are set to be hit with an increase of up to £460/yr. The hike hits on Sunday 7 October. As it's a variable tariff you can at least switch penalty-free, but we have learned scores of bill-payers were wrongly told it was actually a fixed deal whereby the price per unit of energy was fixed for a year. This admin blunder was made in a 'welcome' email sent by Economy Energy. After MoneySavingExpert.com got involved, Economy Energy told us by phone it would not levy the hike on anyone who could prove they got this email (see it below, with the important lines highlighted). But since, when we've asked for confirmation in writing all throughout this week, it's gone quiet, which we find outrageous. However, some MoneySavers who got this email have told us they've successfully challenged the rise.

Rail operator Northern is extending its compensation scheme for train delays from December so passengers can claim if they arrive at least 15 minutes late, the Rail Minister has announced.

House of Fraser customers have been told they now won't be refunded for unfulfilled orders they placed before the store went into administration - despite the firm previously saying they would be.

Apple has announced three new iPhones at its latest live event in California – but they're certainly not MoneySaving, with the most expensive costing £1,449.

It is "crucial" that firms are part of and co-operate with an ombudsman in their sector, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has told a group of MPs today. Martin and MSE senior policy and campaigns officer Will Barnes gave evidence to members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Consumer Protection this morning, and highlighted three key reforms that politicians need to implement to improve the ombudsmen system. They said to the group - which included MPs Yvonne Fovargue, Patricia Gibson and Carolyn Harris - that all companies in a sector should have to co-operate with an ombudsman before it can be called an ombudsman, and that consumers should no longer have to wait eight weeks after raising a complaint to take their issue to the ombudsman. Martin added that ombudsmen should work together to create a portal that consumers can go to with their complaints, to make it easier for consumers to know who to contact. Yvonne Fovargue, Labour MP for Makerfield and chair of the APPG on Consumer Protection responded by admitting that ombudsman reform "does drop to the bottom of the parliamentary agenda" and said the group would produce a further report and would try to "raise awareness among parliamentarians". Last year, MoneySavingExpert.com presented a groundbreaking report called 'Sharper Teeth' on the need for ombudsman reform to MPs - read the full report here.

Travellers who are renewing their passports are now getting up to nine months' less validity, after an under-the-radar change to Passport Office rules, MoneySavingExpert can reveal. 

A number of Vodafone adverts have been banned by the advertising watchdog after appearing to guarantee consistently faster broadband speeds than most customers would receive, and implying that those who experienced issues such as buffering would get money off their bill.

All Scottish councils are offering eligible families a school uniform grant of at least £100 following an agreement with the Scottish Government.

The NHS has launched a new tool that allows you to check if you're eligible for free prescriptions or other help with health costs.