Back-to-school blues: Confidence in outlook for finances and job prospects wanes

Back-to-school blues: Confidence in outlook for finances and job prospects wanes

NEW Despite the cost of essentials falling, personal sentiment towards the UK's overall financial situation, employment prospects and housing market also fell in July, the latest Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report reveals. While the index for June increased to a record high of 164, the overall spending power index for last month fell by three percentage points.

CBI raises its growth estimate for Britain to 2.6% for this year, and brings forward its rate hike forecast to the first quarter of 2016

It said the 'twin engines' of rising household spending and robust business investment will power the additional growth, with continued low inflation giving a welcome boost to household spending.

Why won't our lender cancel half of the mortgage on our cottage after my partner's death?

Why won't our lender cancel half of the mortgage on our cottage after my partner's death?

My partner died in September last year, so I asked our lender Mortgage Agency Services to cancel her half of the mortgage on our cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. However, the firm says it will not do so, and that I still owe the full amount. I feel this is wrong and that the debt should be reduced by half.

Mining profits gloom as prices of raw materials tumble to six-year low amid fears Chinese slowdown will hit global growth

A driver climbs to his cab on a coal mining truck at sunset

China is a big consumer of metals but its once booming construction and manufacturing sectors appear to have run out of steam - hitting commodity prices.

'Miserly' BBC never paid me what it should: Peter Purves admits he wouldn't get a Blue Peter badge for money

PETER PURVES  ....FORMER BLUE PETER PRESENTER ... REXMAILPIX.

Purves, who lives on a £1million country estate with his six dogs, first went into TV as an actor, playing an early time-travelling companion to Doctor Who in 1965.

Eurostar hit record one million passengers last month thanks to sun-hungry Britons flocking south

FRANCE  COTE D'AZUR  ST TROPEZ....A876TF
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CHIC
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D'AZUR
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HARBOR
HARBOUR
HOLIDAY
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MEDITERRANEAN
POPULAR
QUAYSIDE
RICH
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WEALTHY

Demand for a new route to the south of France helped see users of the the Channel Tunnel high-speed train increase by 5 per cent on the same period last year.

First-time buyers save £670 a year compared with cost of renting, survey says, but gap narrows from £1,018 last year 

Data from lender Halifax shows that in June this year the average monthly cost of a three-bedroom home for first-time buyers was around £666 compared with £722 for renting the same property.

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MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Tasty prospects at convenience store giant McColl's Retail Group as it boosts takeaway choices

MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Tasty prospects at McColl's Retail Group as it boosts takeaway choices

James Lancaster set up McColl's Retail Group 's convenience store and newsagent chain before many of its customers were even born. Today, aged 67, he remains at the helm of the business, which he started 43 years ago and floated in February 2014 at 191p. Having waited so long to become a listed company, McColl's has not had a sparkling debut. The shares barely rose above the initial price and now sit at 141p - a 12-month low - battered by concerns about deflation and supermarket price wars.

New owners of BHS want £65m lifeline to turn around ailing high street chain 

DHT3EJ The BHS store on Oxford Street, London,. Image shot 11/2013. Exact date unknown.

Retail Acquisitions bought the loss-making department store chain from billionaire retailer Sir Philip Green for £1 earlier this year.

'Big Four' accounting firm Deloitte's 721 partners earned an average of £822k last year 

The Deloitte buildings in New Street Square in London, where graduate trainee Holly Leam-Taylor worked until her Christmas email was circulated globally.

The UK arm of the company said its revenues rose by 6.4 per cent to £2.71bn in the 12 months to the end of May while profits increased by 7 per cent to £593m.

Troubled oil explorer Gulf Keystone hires Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi to strengthen relations with Kurdistan

Prime Minister David Cameron (L) walks with Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi at the Conservative Party Conference during a television interview on October 5, 2010 in Birmingham, England. On the third day of the conference speakers are set to debate public services, crime and justice and poverty.  (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Zahawi, pictured with David Cameron, who became MP for Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010, will become chief strategy officer at the company but will not join the board and will work part time.

MONDAY VIEW: Three areas are vital in building a new economy - overseas trade, medium sized-businesses and powerhouses

Union Jack FLAG UNITED KINGDOM Union Jack standard British flag red white and blue. Image shot 2005. Exact date unknown. ARPYAE 
britain, flags, britain, flying, history, england, britain, flags, waving, britain, flags, waving, irish, britain, britain, ireland, britain

JAMES ROBERTS: To just let the recovery run its course risks losing the opportunity to build a post-recovery economy which can benefit the whole nation and not just the South-East.

Banks in line for another £40bn bill as fresh wave of charges over mis-seling and foreign exchange rate rigging looms

The Financial Conduct Authority is set to rule within weeks on whether undisclosed commissions charged on PPI break consumer protection rules.

TONY HETHERINGTON: Trust this broker... if you're happy to lose your money

TONY HETHERINGTON: Trust this broker... if you're happy to lose your money

My wife and I have spent three years arguing our case against stockbroker WH Ireland. We have lost more than £500,000. The Financial Ombudsman Service found in our favour and we were awarded the maximum £150,000 plus interest, but with the recommendation that the broker returns us to the position we would have been in if it had not invested so recklessly. WH Ireland chose not to do this and will only pay the maximum that the Ombudsman can enforce. I am 78 and cannot go back to work to recoup our lost money.

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Tax relief on pension contributions should not be tinkered with

jeff prestridge

The summer holiday season may be in full swing (shame about the weather) but it hasn't stopped many of you from emailing me your thoughts about the future of pensions.

Chef's massive £130K compensation - and he DIDN'T use a claims firm: Six steps to making your PPI claim successful

Tonny Ramselaar at his Wilshire Hotel. Pic Darren Jack

Victims of payment protection insurance misselling who have yet to complain are being urged to act fast because a time bar could soon be slapped on future claims.

Savers lose more than £1BN by failing to switch accounts: Five steps to securing better rates for your savings

Five steps to securing better rates for your savings

As part of our campaign to highlight the benefits of a financial makeover, we look at the billions of pounds lost when savers get stuck with poor paying accounts. Savings Champion offers an independent service for all savers. The free 'Rate Tracker' service tells you if you are on a good deal and when or where to move your money as rates change. Customers with savings of around £150,000 are likely to benefit most from the Concierge Service. Kathryn Rees has earned £2,681 extra in interest.

From seagulls to wasps, don't get stung in the wallet by pests: Seek expert help - and check your insurance

From seagulls to wasps, don't get stung in the wallet by pests: Seek expert help - and

A plague of pests is descending on homes this summer - wreaking havoc and expensive damage on those who fail to fight back. Due to a mild early summer there has been an explosion of wasps over the past few weeks that have been gatecrashing picnics and causing a nuisance at home barbecues and in pub gardens.

Global markets braced for more chaos despite expectations for strong economic growth in the UK, when GDP revealed Friday

Global markets braced for more chaos despite strong economic growth in the UK

Indices around the world tumbled amid fears of a global downturn. China's decision earlier this month to devalue the yuan has prompted jitters about the country's economic slowdown. The weakness of the FTSE 100, which has suffered a nine-day losing streak, has come despite strong economic figures in the UK. Official statistics out this Friday are expected to confirm that the economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

The taxman is demanding £640 after I forgot to click one box on the online form, can you help?

HM Revenue and Customs form

An official who said I had forgotten to put a cross on the online tax return form, confirming the information I filed was accurate. I was told to appeal as this was a genuine mistake.

JON REES: Cheap oil may not help to boost economic growth this time

JON REES: Cheap oil may not help to boost economic growth this time

Falling oil prices add to the chances of deflation, of course, but consumers do not tend to hold off filling up their tanks because they think petrol will be cheaper next week. Instead, they fill up more often and travel farther as a result. Usually there is a direct correlation between cheap oil and economic growth. Most experts predicted a short, sharp battle between the Saudis and the US shale producers. But with demand staying flat, according to the International Energy Agency, we could be in for a long war.

From phantom hotels to delayed flights and missing bags: How to salvage your holiday from disaster

From phantom hotels to delayed flights and missing bags: How to salvage your holiday from

Nobody wants a holiday ruined by an unforeseen event - whether it's lost luggage at the airport, an accident or a hotel that does not exist. But things do go wrong, sometimes horribly so. Jennifer Wilkins was without her luggage for several days during a trip to Bali. Here, Tara Evans explains what to do when a dream trip takes a turn for the worse.

Top tips for staying out of trouble when driving abroad: Switch off camera alerts in France

Top tips for staying out of trouble when driving abroad in France, Spain and Finland 

Driving abroad can be fraught with unexpected hazards, but nearly a quarter of Brits heading off on a driving holiday do no research on the rules of the road for the country they are visiting, new findings suggest. Worse still, more than one in five also admit to not having insurance for driving abroad, according to Aviva's latest survey.

FTSE 100 stocks that have weathered the market storms: Top share risers of the last six months (and one you might not have heard of)

Top FTSE 100 share risers of the last six months

Amid the doom and gloom it is worth remembering that some blue-chip shares are still well up on where they stood six months ago. Only 33 of the top 100 companies are in positive territory over that timeframe.

House prices in UK's largest cities jump by largest amount in 11 years - with Oxford and Cambridge the biggest risers

House prices in UK's largest cities jump by largest amount in 11 years

The cost of a home in Britain's biggest cities leapt to the highest quarterly level in 11 years, new findings reveal. With demand continuing to outstrip supply, house prices in major cities increased by 4.3 per cent to an average of £227,100 in the three months to July, Hometrack said.

Virgin Money launches the first-ever 40 MONTH 0% balance transfer credit card

Virgin Money launches the first-ever 40 MONTH 0% balance transfer credit card

The card comes with a one-off transfer fee of 2.99 per cent on balance transfers and four per cent on money transfers. Virgin Money says it is launching the card to mark its 20 years in business, and as such is issuing a retro cassette tape style card, which will be available on all Virgin Money credit cards.

Can PayPal's UK boss win the battle for electronic payments - when it means taking on $1trillion might of Apple?

Can PayPal's UK boss win the battle for electronic payments - when it means taking on

Paypal UK managing director Cameron McLean is facing the challenge of his career. Indeed, so big is the threat from Apple that the decision was taken to split PayPal off from its longtime owner, eBay, to become an independent company.

Satellite firm Oxford Space Systems gets all the right signals as US trade mission lands stellar deal

Mike Lawton, Founder and CEO of Oxford Space Systems, Harwell,Oxon..----------------------------------------..©George Jaworskyj 2015..www.urbanimages.co.uk

Founder Mike Lawton was one of nine entrepreneurs taking part this month in a trade mission by Government agency Innovate UK to Utah, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Coronation Street fans help sales double at tour operator Continuum Group

Television programme: Coronation Street, with Hayley Tamaddon as Andrea, Kym Marsh as Michelle Connor and Criag Charles as cajole Lloyd Mullaney. 


FROM ITV
STRICT EMBARGO -TV Listings Magazines & websites Tuesday 10 March 2015, Newspapers Saturday 14 March 2015 
Coronation Street - Ep 8599
Wednesday 18 March 2015
Andrea [HAYLEY TAMADDON] and Michelle Connor [KYM MARSH] cajole Lloyd Mullaney [CRIAG CHARLES] into taking Steve McDonald [SIMON GREGSON] to a northern soul night but it   s clear the old mates are awkward in each other   s company and making excuses, Steve bails out.
 
Picture contact: david.crook@itv.com on 0161 952 6214
Photographer - Mark Bruce
This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any

Continuum Group, which runs the Coronation Street tour as well as other experiences, saw sales increase to £16.2million in the year to January 31, 2015, from £9.4million previously.

With wind in its sales, wetsuits maker Gul Watersports gets a £1m lift

SANTANDER, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: 49erFX - IRL997 - Andrea Brewster / Saskia Tidey in action during Day 6 of the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships on September 17, 2014 in Santander, Spain. (Photo by MickAnderson/SAILINGPIX via Getty Images)

The company, which has been based in Bodmin for 30 years, has moved to a new 12,000 sq ft premises in the village of Indian Queens in a deal backed by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Soho's streets are paved with gold as profits soar at London-based property empire Soho Estates

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tom Dymond/REX Shutterstock (2296199ak)..Fawn James and India Rose James..'The Look of Love' film premiere, London, Britain - 15 Apr 2013..

Soho Estates, the London-based property empire built up by the late porn baron Paul Raymond, has revealed profits of £18.9million on a £27.2million turnover for the year to March 31, 2015.

Osborne must act on exports, says British Chambers of Commerce boss

Osborne must act on exports, says British Chambers of Commerce boss

John Longworth believes that after more than 100 days in office since the Conservative government was formed, the Chancellor has 'mostly got things right', but needs to do something big to boost exports. He told The Mail on Sunday: 'The Government has cocked the gun and not fired it. I think he is poised to announce something big in the Autumn Statement. We are 16 years from reaching the Coalition's 2020 export target, not five.'

Victory for consumers as Ryanair is told it can't put time limit on compensation: What it means for you if your flight is delayed

Victory for consumers as Ryanair is told it can't put time limit on compensation: What it

Lawyers at Bott & Co Solicitors estimate the test case decision could open the floodgates to 2.66million Ryanair passengers claiming around £610million in compensation, with claims against other airlines likely to follow. The test case was brought by six passengers in two families who suffered a near ten hour delay when returning to Britain on a Ryanair flight from Reus Spain to Stansted in 2008.

More than 2million passengers could claim compensation over delayed flights after Ryanair loses legal battle 

Ryanair was accused of using the small print to get around rules that give passengers six years to make a claim if their flight is delayed - effectively reducing that limit to two years by stealth.

The Investing Show: Ten dividend shares for the next five years

The Investing Show: Ten dividend shares for the next five years

How do you track down the best income shares? Look for the opportunity for dividends to grow, is the case put forward by fund manager Hugh Yarrow in the latest episode of the Investing Show. We also look at housebuilders and whether they are still worth buying or holding after their stellar run.

THE MINOR INVESTOR: The best places to invest for the next ten years - European stocks could be the surprise answer...

THE MINOR INVESTOR: The best places to invest for the next ten years

New analysis by asset manager Barings, suggests a motley crew of currently struggling markets should deliver the best returns over the next decade. It used productivity, demographics and the availability of credit, alongside current valuations, to forecast how assets will fare between now and 2025. We reveal the results.

MONEY MORALS: Bride and groom want cash presents but I'm spending a fortune attending the wedding - how much money should I give?

MONEY MORALS: How much cash should I give as a wedding present? 

In our Money Morals series we invite readers to help solve a dilemma. This week how much should a wedding guest spend on a present for the bride and groom? Read the question and leave your answer in comments at the bottom.

An easy commute, a cool office or extra holiday? The 10 secrets to career contentment (and money doesn't come top!)

The 10 secrets to career contentment (and money doesn't come top!)

A third of adult life is spent at work, so satisfaction there is a pretty important factor in the eternal quest for everyday happiness. So, what's the secret to being happy at work? A new survey from jobs board Reed.co.uk revealed what workers want.

Mortgage lending hits highest level in seven years as sales pick up and borrowers rush to lock into fixed rates

Young couple looking at houses for sale in an estate agents window. 


Image shot 06/2009. 
BBMYTC.
Exact date unknown.

A pick-up in property transactions and a renewed appetite to remortgage have been credited with driving the rise in gross mortgage lending, shown in CML figures.

Is that email really from HMRC? Households warned to watch out for scammers masquerading as government departments

BGYA3M Fishing pole removing credit card from mans head. Image shot 2009. Exact date unknown.

Fraudulent messages vary in sophistication. Some use the logos of government departments to make them look authentic to lure recipients into handing over their personal information.

I am a buy-to-let investor: will I pay less tax if I set up a company for my properties?

I am a buy-to-let investor: will I pay less tax if I set up a company?

As a small buy-to-let investor would I be better off after the Budget changes setting up a company for the rental income from the properties? If the answer is 'yes' does this mean I still own the flats and can sell as I please or does the company then own the flats and they are technically no longer mine?

A 15% increase in new homes is nowhere near enough, say housing experts

Builders working on dormer windows on  the roof of a new house.

BAD644

Government figures showed the construction of 131,060 new homes was completed in the 12 months to June - the most since 2009 and 15 per cent higher than the previous 12 months.

Osborne bid to boost business in countryside: Chancellor's reforms will aim to make it easier to live and work in rural areas

The Chancellor's move comes as official data reveals a sharp increase of 50 per cent in the number of people heading from cities to the countryside in search for a better life.

Number of new homes being built drops at fastest rate for three years to 32% below its 2007 peak

Chancellor George Osborne visits  the Berkeley Homes Royal Arsenal Riverside development in Woolwich , S.E.London.

PICTURE -  MARK LARGE  ...  21.03.13

A 14 per cent decline in housing starts to 33,280 in the April-June period was the sharpest since the January-March period of 2012.

Shortage of skilled tradesmen 'holding back UK house building' as two thirds of construction firms turn down work

Bricklayer Graham Hoedemaker at work on a site in Westbourne Grove

The Federation of Master Builders said 66 per cent of small construction firms have refused new business because of a lack of skilled workers.

When it pays NOT to shop around: Could you save cash by shunning price comparison and discount websites and go direct? 

Could you save cash by avoiding price comparison websites and shop direct?

It's a message we have had drummed into us: it pays to shop around. Most of the time this makes perfect sense - but not always. We've put together ten reasons why shopping around may not throw up the cheapest option - and going direct might save you money or get you better service.

UK set to win £1billion from Rugby World Cup bounce, as EY study shows potential economic benefits of the tournament

That's still a long way behind a single season of football's Premier League - calculated at £6.2billion in 2013/14 - but rugby is fast catching up.

US interest rate hike looming despite shares turmoil on financial markets around the world

The US Federal Reserve building is seen in this August 9, 2011 file photo in Washington, DC, USA.   
 AFP PHOTO/KAREN BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

The US central bank said officials 'judged that the conditions for [higher rates] had not yet been achieved but they noted that conditions were approaching that point'.

How a new state pension top-up could TREBLE your income: Women and self-employed set to benefit from scheme

How a new state pension top-up called Class 3A could TREBLE your income

In just a few weeks, the Department of Work and Pensions will launch a plan allowing those who are in or approaching retirement to swap a chunk of their savings for a boost to their state pension. From October 12, those eligible will be able to buy a special top-up called a Class 3A voluntary national insurance contribution.

Earn £100 interest by switching your old easy access account to one of the latest deals 

A WOMAN CUSTOMER USING A BARCLAYS BANK ATM CASH MACHINE.  WHICH IS OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE THE CLOCKS CHANGED TO BRITISH SUMMERTIME LAST NIGHT. PIC TERRY BRADFORD

The gap between the rates of interest paid by banks on their old easy-access accounts and that on new deals has risen by such a degree that customers are missing out on huge interest boosts.

Is biomass the answer to Britain's energy trilemma? Sustainable fuel is cIean, cheap and doesn't need a windy day to work

Is biomass the answer to Britain's energy trilemma? Sustainable fuel is cIean, cheap and

SATURDAY ANALYSIS: The Government has, in recent weeks, made a number of significant and concerning announcements, raising some big questions for the UK's energy industry. Biomass refers to pellets made from low-grade wood sourced from commercial forestry and timber processing operations, primarily in North America and Europe. When we compare it against the three legs of the energy trilemma it is clear to see why it is so good.

GVC threatens to walk out on £1bn takeover battle for online gambling giant Bwin.party

Stakes upped as Sportingbet owner GVC gatecrashes 888 takeover of Bwin.party with £1billion offer for online gaming firm

Sources close to GVC say it will increase its cash-and-shares offer for Bwin if 888 Holdings raises its own bid.

China triggers market strife: Footsie loses £46bn and Wall Street hits six month low as investors go into 'panic mode'

china triggers market strife.jpg

Poor manufacturing figures from the People's Republic added fuel to fears that its growth is grinding to a halt.

Kazakhstan miners' shares up 20% as currency tumbles 20%

Kazakhmys' copper mine in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's central bank took the step to allow its currency, the tenge, which until now has only been allowed to trade within certain limits, to free float sending it down 20 per cent against the US dollar.

Biggest profit fall in a decade for mining giant BHP Billiton as sliding commodity prices bite

A bucket wheel reclaimer is moved into position at BHP Billiton's iron ore loading facility in Port Hedland, about 1,600 km (994 miles) north of Perth May 31, 2008. Picture taken May 31, 2008.  REUTERS/Tim Wimborne     (AUSTRALIA) - RTX6DUG

The firm is expected to say that profits almost halved in the past year as it wrote down assets and planned for lower returns from its core copper and petroleum operations.

Buoyant advertising group WPP wins huge new contracts as profits escalate

Martin Sorrel, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, attends a Reuters Global Media and Technology Summit in Paris June 14, 2012.   REUTERS/Mal Langsdon (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MEDIA HEADSHOT)

Its British arm performed strongly following a series of account wins including the Tesco supermarket chain.

Chelsea's blues are a boon for Gala Coral as it gears up for Ladbrokes merger 

epa04886370 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (C) reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain, 16 August 2015.  EPA/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

The privately-owned company has benefited from favourable results such as Arsenal's shock defeat by West Ham and Chelsea's dismal opening run.

INVESTMENT CLINIC: A financial adviser told me to put all my savings in one fund and is pressuring me to act. What shall I do?

INVESTMENT CLINIC: A financial adviser told me to put all my savings in one fund and is

I went to see a financial adviser, who told me to put all my savings in one fund. Now he's pressuring me to make a decision. What shall I do?

Revealed: The 25 top-performing British fund managers over the last ten years (...and Neil Woodford is only number nine)

The top-performing 25 British fund managers over the last ten years

While investors' favourite Neil Woodford may have produced some spectacular returns over the past ten years, some lesser-known fund managers have outperformed him, new research suggests. The top 25 beat the FTSE All Share by a significant margin, the study found, producing an average return per annum of 9.8 per cent against 7.1 per cent for the FTSE.

ASK TONY: I'm paying over £400-a-year for British Gas HomeCare, so why won't they fix my leaking bath pipe?

ASK TONY: I'm paying over £400-a-year for British Gas HomeCare, so why won't they fix my

During a recent visit from my daughter, I spotted water leaking from the kitchen ceiling. After taking a bath, she had pulled out the plug and water began to drip through to downstairs. I called British Gas, as I pay for their HomeCare policy, which includes plumbing repairs. It costs me £34.57 a month in all.

Eight in ten drivers who appeal against Dartford Crossing fines have their tickets ripped up - but thousands just pay up

Traffic passes through the tolls at the Dartford Crossing in Kent, as works starts this weekend to remove the payment booths at the crossing and replace them with a remote charging pre-pay system, known as Dart Charge.
The good news for motorists is that the online pre-pay or pay-after system at the Dartford Crossing on the M25 should ease congestion. But the bad news about the system, which comes into effect on Sunday, is that the daily charge for cars rises from the current £2 to £2.50, with increases also for light and heavy goods vehicles. And it is likely that it will be spring 2015 before the full benefits of the new system will be felt as there will be roadworks for a time while the toll booths are removed. 

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday November 27, 2014. 
See PA story TRANSPORT Crossing. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The disparity suggests thousands of drivers are being unfairly fined but just 'paying up' and that the tolled road bridge and tunnel system is 'in chaos', say experts.

Two million credit card holders can apply for up to £216 compensation after being sold 'security products' they got for free

Credit cards

Credit card
card
cash
interest
rate
visa
mastercard
bank
credit
cards
finance
money
debt

Customers of 11 high street banks and card providers are in line for a pay out, including those with credit cards from Lloyds, Barclays, Santander and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The hidden hand pulling your financial strings: But is the secretive government 'nudge unit' that tries to manipulate our behaviour a help - or sinister? 

Is the secretive government 'nudge unit' a help - or sinister? 

Once, policymakers would study economics to get to grips with the major issues. Now a greater focus on 'behavioural economics' and how to influence consumers' behaviour has led to the arrival of a Government 'Nudge Unit' - but is it really helping us?

Is your dog depressed? Pet owners turn to insurance policies to get psychological help for their poorly pooches

Saint Bernard with cute eyes

Increasingly busy work lives and a rise in internet use are being blamed for many animals being ignored at home - triggering a surge in levels of anxiety, depression and poor behaviour.

As we lift the lid on the government's 'nudge unit', SAM DUNN says it's time to stop these secret tests

Laboratory Rat in psychology experiment glass maze. 

AEXWJW 
Image shot 2007. Exact date unknown.

As we report today, many of us have been unwitting participants in more than 150 experiments by a little-known outfit nicknamed 'the nudge unit'. But who gets to decide what is 'better'.

The Diary of a Private Investor: Japan helped in a month of big winners and losers - but should I have cut the fallers sooner?

The Diary of a Private Investor: Should I have cut my losers sooner?

Two holdings together will have knocked nearly 1% off my performance last month and I have to ask if was I being stubborn in not just cutting the positions, writes our columnist John Rosier. He takes a look at how his portfolio fared in a stormy summer month - and why he bought into new European opportunity Zegona.

One in five people now picking a 30-year mortgage as house prices soar 

A woman walks past an estate agent's window display on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge in London, England.  
The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has given his strongest warning yet about the dangers to Britain's economy posed by the booming housing market saying that the market represented the biggest risk to financial stability and the long-term recovery.  

(Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

The appetite for longer-term mortgages is growing as the typical 25-year term once favoured by buyers falls out of favour.

Save £105 on power bills if you switch to a cheaper tariff by the end of this month 

CNABJ2 BRITISH DOMESTIC GAS BILL RE ENERGY COSTS BILLS HEATING FUEL FUELS RISING PRICES KEEPING YOUR HOUSE WARM HOMES INSULATION ETC UK. Image shot 2012. Exact date unknown.

British Gas, EDF Energy, npower, Sainsbury's Energy and Flow Energy all have fixed tariffs coming to an end on August 31 - after which customers will be rolled onto their standard tariffs.

Homes up £12,000 in a year as lack of property for sale pushes up prices - and agent forecasts an 18% rise by 2019

House prices up £12k in a year as Knight Frank tips 18% gain by 2019

House prices rose by £1,000 a month over the past year with the East of England recording the biggest gains, according to new official figures. Property inflation in the East of England hit 9.2 per cent in June, the ONS house price index reported, with the next largest annual gains seen in Northern Ireland, at 9 per cent, and the South East, at 7.7 per cent.

Rail fares have risen THREE TIMES faster than wages - and the only way to stop the squeeze on commuters is nationalisation, campaign group warns

Londoners return to work at Waterloo Station following two public holiday weekends.
 
. REXMAILPIX.

A study by the Action for Rail campaign showed that season tickets and other regulated fares had increased by 25 per cent since 2010, while average pay went up by 9 per cent.

'We shouldn't wait days to see a doctor face-to-face' Medical entrepreneur's healthcare app offers mobile appointments

Ali Parsa's Babylon app offers virtual appointments on your mobile

With 14 million waiting a week to see their local GP, a new start-up has seen a gap in the market for busy people who need to access treatment quickly. The Babylon app allows users to book an appointment with a GP and then speak to them to get a diagnosis via a video link on their mobile or tablet.

Where in the world should you live? Best and worst cities to call home are revealed... and it's more good news for Australia

The Australian city of Melbourne (pictured) topped the list with a near-perfect score of 97.5 out of 100 but the report warned that the world is becoming a more dangerous place to live overall.

'We were quoted £19,849 to upgrade our broadband': Online retailer struggles to take payments because its internet connection is so slow 

Home Leisure Direct struggles with internet after Virgin Media charge £19k

Home Leisure Direct struggles with a 0.8mbps connection at its office in Elberton, outside Bristol. It struggles to process payments and even do the accounts. However upgrading would cost nearly £20,000. The government prides itself in a nationwide broadband rollout scheme - but Home Leisure Direct is just one small business that has been left behind.

Cash-strapped homebuyers search for 30-year mortgages in attempt to minimise monthly repayments as rate hike looms

Cash-strapped homebuyers search for 30-year mortgages

More than one-fifth of buyers looked for a long-term loan between April and June this year, according to brokers, the Mortgage Advice Bureau - up from just 8% in the same period last year. A significant jump from the usual length of a home loan - between two to five years.

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50 ways to save money: Simple steps to cut what you spend that could clear your debts or seriously boost your savings

50 ways to save money....

To clear the average national household debt of £13,000 at 6% interest with a monthly repayment of £100 will take around 17 years. There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear your debt - or boost your savings - in less than a year. This is Money's top 50 - updated - money-saving tips may appear light-hearted but are deadly serious.

SIMON LAMBERT: Eight simple but important lessons about money

Dr. Albert Einstein writes an equation for the density of the Milky Way on the blackboard at the Carnegie Institute, Mt. Wilson Observatory headquarters in Pasadena, Calif., in this Jan. 14, 1931 file photo. Einstein achieved world reknown in 1905, at age 26, when he expounded a theory of general relativity which proposed the existence of atomic energy. Though his concepts ushered in the atomic age, he was a pacifist who warned against the arms race. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921.  (AP Photo)

Learning more about money is a good way to keep hold of it and make more of it. Here are some simple but important things I'd teach people.

How to complain to the chief executive: We reveal the names and contact details of Britain's top company bosses

Businesswoman Using Cell Phone, while looking at her laptop computer screen, she is angry.  For feature on broadband technical support.   --- Image by   Morgan David de Lossy/Corbis
rights managed
1
20-25 years
20s adult
25-30 years
Access
Adults
Business and commerce
Businesspeople
Communications
Computer
Computer hardware
Connection
Connectivity
Desk
Females
Frustration
Head and shoulders
Indoors
Laptop
Mid-adult
Mid-adult woman
Mobile phone
Mobility
Multi-tasking
Office
People
Personal computer
Room
Telephone
Whites
Young adult woman
Young adults

Here is a list of the name and address for the chief executive of Britain's largest consumer facing companies: big banks, building societies, utilities companies, telecoms and mobile networks.

How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing Isa - and our pick of the platforms

Pick the best (and cheapest) investment Isa platform

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

Revealed: The world's cheapest and most expensive stock markets - and where the UK stands

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We highlight the world's cheapest and most expensive stock markets, measured on three popular valuation tools and where the UK sits.

INVESTING TIPS: Fund and trust ideas for beginner and cautious investors

L Board sign on the rear of a blue saloon car , UK

If you are new to investing then the huge number of funds and investment trusts on offer can be confusing. Fortunately, This is Money's experts have some ideas to get you started.

INVESTING TIPS: Top fund and trust ideas for income investors

Income investing: Dividends can deliver both a healthy boost to long-term growth and a way to earn from your investments.

Income investing can let you draw on your portfolio or reinvest dividends to build solid growth over time. Our experts give their fund and investment trust recommendations.

INVESTING TIPS: Top fund and trust ideas for emerging markets

On the up: Emerging markets such as Brazil are where much of the world's growth is expected to be over future years.

If you're looking to add some flair to your investing Isa with emerging markets, This is Money's experts have some ideas to get you started

When will interest rates rise? Unemployment rises but wages robust after Bank hints at a move in early 2016

When will UK interest rates rise?

Unemployment has increased for the second month in a row, adding weight to the arguments of ratesetters in the lower for longer camp. This follows the outlook for when interest rates will rise shifting forwards slightly to about February 2016 in the recent inflation report.

Our savings picks: This is Money's five favourite best buy cash Isas for 2015

"No smoking" sign on a wall --- Image by © Christopher Stevenson/Corbis

We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential Isa reading and is kept up-to-date throughout the year

Looking for a better bank? This is Money's five of the best current accounts

Best five: which current accounts offer the best perks?

How hard does your bank account work for you? Here's our pick of the best accounts to make your money work harder, cut down on fees, or get free stuff.

Ten tips for buy-to-let: the essential advice for property investors

Ten tips for buy-to-let

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Climbing house prices, rising rents and improving mortgage deals are tempting investors - although they will need a big deposit. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips

What next for house prices? House prices rise across the UK but London has caught a chill

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House prices are rising across the UK but London has caught a chill - property in the capital remains expensive but prices are slipping back from their peaks. We look at the latest figures.

What next for mortgage rates? Fixed rates tumble to as low as 1.05% as homeowners get golden opportunity to lock in

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If you are looking for a mortgage, rates have never been lower. We run the rule over the top deals available and whether now is the time to fix.

Best paid UK jobs 2014: Compare your pay to the national average in the league table of salaries across 350 trades and professions

Best paid UK jobs 2014 Compare your pay to the national average

The influence of financial services on the economy is spelled out again as City brokers steal top spot in this year's official list of highest earners. According to the detailed 2014 annual salaries survey, brokers pocketed around 40 times more this year than those at the bottom of the list - the people responsible for keeping children safe on the way to school. Lollipop crossing patrols earned around £3,400.

Premium Bonds winners

August 2015
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 9FH577549 Dorset
£1,000,000 196LW907254 Outer London
£100,000 247CG456672 London
£100,000 239FJ527896 Hertfordshire
£100,000 176NJ778140 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
£100,000 141WH537262 Stockport
£100,000 134TV460124 Leicestershire
£50,000 46AN736045 South West Wales
£50,000 26NX238485 Essex
£50,000 245ZC702896 Northern Ireland
£50,000 22BY778725 Buckinghamshire
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Tesco could make less money than expected from sale of South Korea chain as local currency slides

Checkout points in one of the Tesco's stores in Seoul, South Korea...Tesco international stores..Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX Shutterstock (643439w)..

The Korean won has fallen 10 per cent against sterling since the start of June, when the British retail giant appointed HSBC to consider a sale of the business.