Saving

In a blow to first-time buyers – and to MoneySavingExpert.com and its founder Martin Lewis's campaign – there were no changes to the rules on Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) announced in today's Spring Budget. However, while the news is "disappointing", Martin says a shake-up "isn't off the table".  

A penalty paid by first-time buyers accessing savings in Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) when buying homes above the scheme's £450,000 property price limit could be scrapped, it's been revealed. A new report suggests the Chancellor will remove the withdrawal fee in his upcoming Budget. This would be a win for MoneySavingExpert.com and its founder Martin Lewis who have long campaigned on the issue. 

NS&I will decrease its Premium Bond prize-fund rate to 4.4% from 4.65% for its March 2024 draw and beyond. But this rate was already lagging behind interest rates on standard savings accounts – so if you're a bondholder, you may now want to consider moving your cash to an interest-paying account.

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.

The state pension will rise by 8.5% from April 2024 under the 'triple lock' guarantee, meaning millions of people will receive a weekly increase of up to £17.35. Certain benefits, including Universal Credit, will also rise from next April by 6.7%. The changes were confirmed by the Chancellor as part of November's Autumn Statement.

A raft of changes for savers using ISAs – savings accounts where you'll never pay tax on the interest – have been announced by the Chancellor in today's Autumn Statement. However, Jeremy Hunt failed to address MoneySavingExpert.com's calls for a shake-up to Lifetime ISAs. 

If you've got a Marcus easy-access savings account or cash ISA, you can easily boost your interest rate to 4.75% by activating its new 0.49% bonus. It's well worth doing if you don't want to switch, but better rates are available elsewhere.

You should open a fixed savings account NOW in case rates are cut, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has warned. His message comes as the Bank of England voted to maintain the current base rate at 5.25% following 14 consecutive rises.

NS&I has withdrawn its hugely popular 6.2% one-year fixed savings deal for new customers from today (6 October). But the account was always going to be short-lived, according to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who recently issued a clarion call to savers urging them to bag the top rates before they disappear.

You must act NOW to get the top-paying rate on an easy-access savings account, MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has urged. Santander's best buy account offers 5.2% interest, but it will be axed to new customers after 11.59pm tonight. Martin explains everything you need to know in his latest video.