Government

The government has admitted its proposals to make energy supply more environmentally-friendly will push up future household bills.

The Treasury has proposed improvements to the protection savers receive, as part of this week's government White Paper on financial regulation.

A body to instigate mass, group actions against banks and other financial institutions could be established in future.

Thousands of struggling homeowners are failing to seek help when they get into difficulties paying their mortgage. Experts say getting assistance can prevent repossession.

Unsolicited credit card cheques are to be outlawed as part of a major government clampdown on credit card and store card providers.

Energy regulator Ofgem has urged suppliers to improve their complaints handling processes. It has written to chief executives demanding improvements.

A government initiative to prevent struggling homeowners from losing their property only helped one borrower in April. This takes the grand total to just two since the Mortgage Rescue scheme was launched in January.

The minimum wage will rise for most workers this October by 7p an hour to £5.80, it was announced today.

All homes in Britain will have energy meters telling users how much they’ve spent fitted between 2012 and 2020, the Government announced today.