Utilities

Utility giant Thames Water has mistakenly taken thousands of customers' direct debit payments a day early after a "system error", MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. If you've been hit by bank charges as a result, you can get a refund but you'll need to ask for it – we've full help below.

Jobseekers claiming certain work-related benefits can once more get unlimited mobile data, minutes and texts for £10 a month. If you need that much data it's a cracking deal and you could even use the Sim to temporarily replace your home broadband – but you can get cheaper deals if you need less data.

Around 11 million households stuck on expensive standard tariffs will see energy bills jump by a typical £96/yr as the new price cap kicks in today. But most can save over £200/year by switching supplier - so act now to beat the hike.

Over 250,000 customers of the defunct gas and electricity supplier Green Network Energy (GNE) are still waiting for EDF Energy to set up their accounts two months after it was appointed as their new supplier, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. EDF's warned it'll take until the end of May to finish transferring all customers – here's the latest on what's happening and your rights. 

Millions of Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 4.5% next month, the telecoms provider has confirmed. But only those who are out of contract can cancel penalty-free. Here's what's happening.

Asda Mobile customers have been urged to request a new Sim card by September in order to keep using their phones. It comes after the company switched to piggybacking off Vodafone's mobile network this month. Until now, Asda Mobile had used EE's signal.  

The first areas of the country to get an ultrafast broadband upgrade have been named, with work due to start next year. As many as 510,000 homes and businesses should initially benefit from the £5 billion upgrade with more regions to follow in future.

Energy suppliers will be forced to automatically refund in-credit balances each year and will have limits placed on the size of customers' balances under new proposals from the energy regulator. The shake-up could result in households getting an average refund of £65.

More than a million households are to be paid a share of £10.4 million after energy regulator Ofgem found 18 gas and electricity suppliers overcharged customers when they switched. Refunds will be paid automatically with average payouts of £10.40, though you should contact your old supplier if you think you're affected but haven't received a payout. 

O2 customers will be hit with price hikes of 1.4% from their April bills, the telecoms provider has confirmed. It is writing to affected customers to inform them of the increase this week. But you won't be able to cancel penalty-free unless you're out of contract as these rises are written into contracts. Here's what's happening.