December 2023

New rules are urgently needed to stop lenders overwhelming people with letters, calls, texts and emails about missed payments. Charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) and its chair, founder and core funder Martin Lewis are calling for the Government to make changes to prevent firms causing unnecessary distress to those already under strain.

Broadband, mobile and pay TV firms will no longer be able to hit customers with inflation-linked price hikes mid-contract, under proposals put forward by the telecoms regulator. But while MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has welcomed the move, he has also called on Ofcom to ensure any rises are never above inflation.

More than two million Premium Bond prizes worth a combined £81 million remain unclaimed, according to the latest figures. Most bondholders now get prizes paid automatically, though this may not be the case if you have older bonds. Plus, prizes paid by cheque may be unclaimed if you haven't kept your address up to date or simply forgot to cash them in. See what's unclaimed, plus how to check if you've missed a win.

Online gardening retailer Precious Plants has fallen into administration. If you've ordered from the firm – including via offers featured on MoneySavingExpert.com – and didn't get what you paid for, here's what you can do.

Around 2,000 Think Money customers have been locked out of their accounts after the current account provider relaunched its app. Some say they've waited weeks to gain access, while others have been held on the phone for hours trying to get help. We explain what's happening and detail your options. 

The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £169.50 from 1 April 2024 – an increase of £10.50 on the current price of £159 a year – the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced. It's the first increase to the fee since April 2021.

Expats who bank with Barclays face having their UK accounts closed following a "strategic review" by the bank, leaving some customers worried about the alternatives available to them.