2020

The financial regulator is proposing measures to help customers struggling to pay insurance premiums due to coronavirus. It's proposing payment holidays of up to three months, plus has told insurers to look at whether cover still provides "value" to the customer where the pandemic means the policy is no longer suitable or where they can't use certain benefits of their cover.

The competition watchdog has launched an investigation into complaints that some firms are failing to  refund customers for cancellations due to coronavirus, and it's threatened to take legal action to enforce consumers' rights if needed. The watchdog says as a general rule firms MUST offer cash refunds for cancellations, and you can report firms that don't – watch Martin's interview with one of its bosses below.

Angry Ryanair passengers have complained they're going "round in circles" trying to claim cash back from the budget airline for cancelled flights – having already requested refunds and been sent vouchers instead. But some have had success by claiming from their card provider, while others have found live chat the most effective way to get a response from Ryanair. If you're stuck, here's what to try...

One in seven UK mortgages is now subject to a payment holiday, after 1.6 million mortgage breaks were offered to customers who have been impacted by Covid-19.

Major travel insurers including Axa, Churchill and Direct Line are now offering pro-rata refunds to customers who've ruled out travelling due to coronavirus and want to cancel their policy. But you'll need to request a refund to get one – and should only do this if you're certain you no longer need the cover.

The competition watchdog has received almost 21,000 complaints linked to coronavirus since early March and 80% of those it's now getting are about cancellations and refunds, with concerns that travel firms are making refunds hard to claim and pressuring customers to accept vouchers instead.

The financial regulator has confirmed it will introduce a new set of payment freezes for customers struggling to make payments on car finance deals, payday loans, buy-now-pay-later agreements and other credit products due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

MBNA credit card customers who agreed a payment holiday because they are struggling due to coronavirus have been mistakenly sent text messages chasing 'overdue' payment. If you're received one of these texts you can safely ignore it – so long as you're sure your payment holiday has been confirmed.

The Government has agreed to change its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance after a campaign by MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis – it's now clarified that firms can rehire and furlough those who left their job for a new job which then fell through due to Covid-19.

Vulnerable Post Office customers who need to shield during the coronavirus pandemic can now have cash payments delivered straight to their homes as part of a new scheme.