Margaret will get £3 a week less and her husband £8 a week less: State pension shambles - YOUR stories

Margaret will get £3 a week less and her husband £8 a week less: State pension shambles -

Hundreds of Money Mail readers have described their sense of bitter betrayal after discovering that they will receive only a fraction of the new state pension that they were promised. Letters and emails have poured in following our investigations into how the weekly payout would be calculated. Millions will be unable to claim the full amount of £151.25 a week when the new pension is introduced in April next year. Margaret and Howard Edwards will get less than they expected.

FTSE tumbles back below the 6,000 level as stocks slide after bleak day for the UK economy

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The sell-off rounded off a bleak day for the UK economy as a surge in Government borrowing and disappointing manufacturing figures dented confidence in the recovery.

One million savers face administrative headache as compensation cap falls to £75k

One million savers face administrative headache as compensation cap falls to £75k

They will have to move some of their money from their bank or building society to ensure every penny of their nest egg is covered by the UK compensation scheme. From January 1, the compensation limit (which means the maximum amount of your money which will be protected if a financial services firm, such as your bank or building society, folds) will be slashed from £85,000 to £75,000 for all savers.

We want to move but it's too expensive, say older homeowners as they are told to downsize to make space for younger families

C7JNNX Older couple sitting in backyard

The UK has five million homeowners over 65. Last year, though, just 1 per cent of them moved house.

World is still vulnerable to another financial crisis, says Bank official

Minouche Shafik.jpg

Minouche Shafik, deputy governor for markets and banking, warned the mechanisms in place for dealing with sovereign debt crises are 'more of a patchwork than a safety net'.

Flats grow in value faster than all other properties: Average price increase of 60% over ten years is equivalent to £730 a month

A computer generated image of a three-bedroom flats in London. 


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Over the same period, Halifax said terraced homes have gone up 41 per cent, semi-detacheds have added 32 per cent, bungalows 28 per cent and detached houses 21 per cent.

Insurers reject claims from people who have their mobile phones stolen while taking a selfie

E8MD9G A young woman girl taking a selfie with her iPhone smart phone mobile phone on a short stick pole UK

Opportunistic thieves are targeting tourists who use so-called selfie sticks to take a snap of themselves standing in front of landmarks and beauty spots.

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MARKET REPORT: Bloodbath in commodities continues as Glencore price hits record low

MARKET REPORT: Bloodbath in commodities continues as Glencore price hits record low

The stock hit a record low of 99.9p, a hefty drop from its 530p listing price in 2011 when the secretive Swiss group was valued at $10billion - and even from its 125p placing price last week. The former commodity powerhouse has made numerous recent attempts to combat its downward trajectory, including a capital injection and dilution of equity, but with anaemic global growth stalling demand, shares are unlikely to climb in a hurry.

Aberdeen Asset Management wins China licence as Osborne seeks closer links

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne delivers a speech to an audience at the Shanghai Stock Exchange in China. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 22, 2015. Mr Osborne is on a five day visit to China which will focus on building trade between the UK and the Chinese. See PA story POLITICS Osborne. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The licence was hailed by business secretary Sajid Javid as evidence of the deepening relationship between the two countries.

BT says: Let us be! But rivals are deeply unimpressed by telecom giant's plans

City Focus Graphic (Read-Only).jpg

BT yesterday launched a full-throated defence of its current structure by outlining the great benefits it could bring to Britain in the coming decade.

Millions of UK cars could be recalled as VW admits 11m diesels worldwide cheated emissions tests in £5bn scandal

The revelation sent shares plunging for a second day, as boss Martin Winterkorn issued an apology and campaigners claimed other carmakers may also have gamed the system.

Return of the highway robbers: Drivers warned over conmen who deliberately crash into your car and demand cash on the spot

Drivers warned over new insurance scam as conmen deliberately crash into your car and

Insurers have warned of a startling rise in a new type of crime that involves conmen smashing their car into innocent drivers. It is a terrifying variation of a scam that already exists, known as crash-for-cash. With this, fraudsters deliberately cause an accident by unexpectedly slamming on their brakes, or reversing into the vehicle behind at traffic lights.

Barclaycard to launch quick fix for customers who lose their credit card

A Girl using a Apple iPhone

Barclaycard customers who lose their credit card will soon be able to download the details of their new one instantly on to their mobile phone and start spending.

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warns of the debt-fuelled threat posed by China to the global economy

Bank of England governor Mark Carney as he and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have found themselves at odds over why a probe into liquidity auctions by the Bank was kept secret for nearly four months. 

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday March 11, 2015. Mr Carney said the Bank was advised by the agency to keep the probe under wraps when it referred the claims in November. See PA story CITY Bank. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.

File photo dated 12/02/15.

Speaking last night, Mark Carney recalled the recent financial crisis following the 'massive increases in household debt' - and he highlighted the huge rise in debt in China as a concern.

Airlines told AGAIN to pay out for flight delays as passengers have won yet another court case

Sint Maarten a plane of KLM Airline flying low over Maho beach into the Princess Juliana International Airport.
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Last week the European Court Of Justice ruled that mechanical faults are the airline's responsibility - even when they occur unexpectedly.

Warning that average London home could cost £1million by 2020, as sellers across England and Wales add another £2,500 to asking prices

The price tag slapped on the average London home could hit £1million by 2020 if costs keep rising at their current pace, property website Rightmove has warned.

Want life cover? You may need to send a selfie to your insurer for clues about your health

Want life cover? You may need to send a selfie to your insurer

Some of Britain's biggest firms are racing to snap up computer programs which can analyse a photo and tell whether someone is a smoker, has been ill or is likely to have a shorter than normal life expectancy. It's all part of a growing scientific field called facial analytics, which is taking off in the U.S. It is based on the theory that the faster someone ages physically, the shorter their expected lifespan.

Tesco Bank hikes web rate to 1.6% as savings rates edge up in recent weeks

C3ERJG Front of Tesco Bank contact centre in Broadway One, Renfield Street, Glasgow

The rate includes a bonus of 0.68 (0.85) percentage point bonus for the first 12 months, after which it drops to 0.6 per cent (0.75 per cent).

Rocketing property prices see family rifts over wills soar to highest level since 2007

Man and woman arguing.

Families are now more likely to contest a will because the recent rise in property prices means they stand to lose more.

JAMES CONEY: Battle between generations won't solve the housing shortage - building more affordable homes will

JAMES CONEY: Battle between generations won't solve the housing shortage - building more

We need to build more of the right homes in the right places and, crucially, sell them for the right prices. But for one generation to blame the other for the current ills is not the way to achieve it. Over the next few weeks, Money Mail plans to dissect the key issues in our housing market and visit a number of the communities that are being affected by the property squeeze.

Sky-high excess charges mean claiming on many budget travel insurers' policies is pointless, reveals research

Coconut fresh cocktail profile beach woman drinking tropical Caribbean.
C2TJT5 
caribbean, back, caribbean, leisure, drink, mexico, foam, travel, water, drinking

To offer cheap travel insurance policies for as little as £10, insurers commonly cut cover and add exclusions into their small print.

EE tops broadband and landline complaints table because of faults and billing problems

General view during the 4G EE launch at Manchester's Market Street Store. 

A new era for mobile phone use begins today as superfast 4G products and services are made available to millions of consumers in 11 cities across the UK. 

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday, October 30, 2012. EE, formerly known as Everything Everywhere, will launch its range of 4G products and services in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Southampton and Manchester. See PA story CITY Mobile. Photo credit should read: Jon Super/PA Wire

EE topped the chart, receiving 0.34 complaints about its landline service for every 1,000 customers. It also received the most complaints of all broadband companies: 0.45 per 1,000 customers.

Household disposable income up £18 per week thanks to lower petrol, food and drink costs

'guide horse'

Households in the UK had an average of £191 to spend each week in August, up by an extra £18 or 10.7% on the same week last year, according to new data.

Vauxhall claims one in four Britons have owned an Astra - as it prepares to launch new UK-built seventh generation

Vauxhall claims one in four Britons have owned an Astra

Vauxhall is set to launch the new Astra next month which will be built at its Ellesmere Port, guaranteeing 2,000 jobs in Cheshire over the next decade.The manufacturer says it takes approximately 24 hours to build an Astra, from sheet steel to the finished article - but this is expected to reduce to just 22 hours as production grows.

Lexus 4x4 stolen in London is tracked to UGANDA using a smartphone app - and leads to recovery of 28 high-value cars

A hire car stolen by a highly sophisticated gang of criminals was tracked on its journey all the way to East Africa - and led to discovery of dozens of stolen high-end motors.

My husband went bankrupt last year and we had to sell our house. He has a new job - can we get a mortgage again?

My husband went bankrupt last year - can we get a mortgage again?

We have a reasonable deposit and my husband now has a new job. However it is just a year since my husband was made bankrupt. Are we destined to rent now for the long term, or is there a lender that will offer us a mortgage? How long will we have a blot on our credit score?

The debt crisis hitting middle-class women: Married homeowners in their 40s most likely group to owe more than £5,000 as they trying to 'keep up with the Joneses'

A stock photo of a woman worried about bills and debt.


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A study of people in more than £5,000 of debt found that married, home-owning women aged between 40 and 49 were the most likely to have money problems.

BT and the curse of the Zombie Channel: New drama channel AMC from BT registers zero viewers

LEXI JOHNSON..Character(s): Gloria..Television 'FEAR THE WALKING DEAD' (2015)..23 August 2015..SAN55129..Allstar Picture Library/AMC..**WARNING**..This Photograph is for editorial use only and is the copyright of AMC.. and/or the Photographer assigned by the TV or Production Company & can only be reproduced by publications in conjunction with the promotion of the above TV Programme...A Mandatory Credit To AMC is required...The Photographer should also be credited when known...No commercial use can be granted without written authority from the TV Company. 1111z@yx

Zombies seem to have scared away audiences from BT's new drama channel, AMC from BT, which registered zero viewers according to the official audience survey.

Thousands of corner shops will charge 5p for a carrier bag from next month - even though new rules only apply to large stores

From October 5, new government rules mean large supermarkets will be forced to charge customers 5p for every plastic bag used.

iPhone 6s to cost up to £134 more in Britain than in the US, study finds ahead of Friday's launch

With the latest Apple phone set to launch with much fanfare in the UK later this week, research reveals Britons will pay more than the rest of the world for its latest gadget.

'I realised to get what you want you need to be fearless': Kelly Hoppen shares how her dad's death pushed her to become her own boss

Kelly Hoppen shares how her dad's death pushed her to become her own boss

Designer Kelly Hoppen shares her honest account of the battles she faced in her childhood and teens - and how she realised she had to be fearless to get where she wanted in life. 'I realised that to get to where you want to in life, you need to be fearless and I didn't want to depend on anyone else for my future. This was the turning point that made me realise I needed to do something that made me happy,' says Kelly Hoppen.

Relief for tenants as landlords ease off on rent hikes for the first time this year (unless you live in the South West or Wales that is)

Rent hikes fell last month for the first time since April - but a closer look reveals a regional divide, with residents in the South West and Wales still seeing increases.

Government's flagship Help to Buy scheme has pushed up house prices by nearly £10k, Shelter claims

The Help to Buy scheme has meant the average property value in Britain has increased by £8,250 in the last two years, data from homelessness charity Shelter claims.

TONY HETHERINGTON: Halifax gave one of my daughters shares when it floated but not the other - what went wrong?

TONY HETHERINGTON: Halifax gives extra - but not for sister

On the birth of each of my children, I opened Halifax savings accounts for them. When Halifax was floated on the stock market, account holders were given shares. However, now my daughters have grown up, I have found one account has been credited with dividends and the other has not, so one daughter is much better off. I tried researching who should have received shares, but I was unsuccessful.

SMALL CAP SHARE IDEAS: Strat Aero moves to cash in on growing commercial use of drones

File photo dated 09/05/14 of a quadcopter type drone with a camera, as the House of Lords' EU Committee has called for a tracking system for all drones and their users. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday March 5, 2015. In its latest report, the Committee described drones, officially known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), as an "exciting new technology". See PA story LORDS Drones. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

It is hoping to cash in on growing commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for tasks ranging from aerial filming and photography to wind turbine, power line and oil rig inspections.

UK housing and transport projects face the scrapheap despite Government promises to relax hurdles in way of development

Following the Budget in July, chancellor George Osborne unveiled steps to encourage more house building across the country. But building and infrastructure projects are still facing major problems.

'I used a lifetime mortgage to improve my home': If you're considering equity release -these are the things you need to know

The perils of equity release and how to avoid them

They have been described by former tennis star Andrew Castle as one of the 'biggest scandals in this country'. But financial plans enabling elderly homeowners to take out a mortgage on their home without having to pay interest on it during their lifetime are growing in popularity. We look at the pros and cons of these equity release schemes.Gwen Wilson used her lifetime mortgage to make home improvements

Ever dreamed of owning a home abroad? Here's how to do it - from mortgages, to tax and the legal traps

Owning a property in sunnier climes is a dream realised by thousands of Brits each year. Paul and Caryn Hughes bought a home in Portugal.

'We gained £575 in two years from cashback and interest': As Santander hikes its 123 current account fees, should you stay or should you go?

'We gained £575 in two years from cashback and interest': As Santander hikes its 123

Santander has lured thousands to its 123 account - then hit them with higher fees. So we answer the key question for customers. The Bakers have gained £575 in two years from cashback on bills - including their mortgage - and interest on savings since they switched. Despite the fee increase it still makes sense for them to stick with the joint account.

Government to prosecute rogue training providers offering dodgy apprenticeship schemes

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Grover/REX Shutterstock (2058989a)..Nick Boles..Nick Boles, Planning Minister, London - 08 Jan 2013..

Two employers told the Government that they had been forced to turn away job applicants who were severely underqualified at the end of 'apprenticeship schemes' done elsewhere.

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: The big names that make me want to weep as they lure in customers with offers - then slash them

jeff prestridge

Most weeks, I sit at my desk in the good offices of The Mail on Sunday and gently weep about the personal finance world I love so passionately.

Doctor Who regenerated: New series of sci-fi show set to boost value of memorabilia - including £10k for an original Cyberman suit

Doctor Who regenerated: New series of sci-fi show set to boost the value of memorabilia

Doctor Who has just returned to our TV screens with the Time Lord pitted against his arch-enemy Davros - creator of the Daleks. This new series, which began last night, is expected to boost the value of Doctor Who collectables as a new wave of enthusiasts is attracted to the popular BBC sci-fi series.

Chinese to be allowed to build new nuclear plants in UK under Government plans

Chinese to build new nuclear plants in UK

Two state-owned Chinese groups are preparing to invest in EDF's Hinkley Point, the £25billion Somerset plant that would be the first nuclear reactor built in Britain in a generation. But as part of the plan, which includes a £2billion loan underwritten by the Government unveiled by George Osborne earlier this week, the Chinese groups will receive clearance to erect their own plant at Bradwell in Essex.

AA posts a loss after being charged £87.4m for refinancing its debt pile

AKRE84 AA patrolman using his laptop diagnostic toolkit at a roadside breakdown UK GB

AA was charged £87.4million as it sought to scale back the size of its regular repayments, first put in place by AA's current owners following its IPO in June last year.

House of Fraser becomes latest high street name to fall victim to bad weather as sales stumble at the start of the third quarter

The Daily Mail measured music volume in a series of high street stores along Oxford Street,  in decibels and compared the results to levels on an industrial noise scale.
Some of the noise levels were loud enough to cause serious damage to hearing.
House of Fraser had a high reading of 89.

. REXMAILPIX.

The firm said trading in the opening weeks of its third quarter were challenging, with overall sales growth slowing to 5.3 per cent in the 33 weeks logged so far, down from 6.5 per cent for the first 26 weeks.

Pound falls against dollar as weak manufacturing data adds to signs of slowing UK economy

The CBI said its monthly total order book balance slipped to -7 per cent in September from -1 per cent in August Economists had expected an unchanged reading.

French Connection posts loss after its Spring collection fails to excite shoppers

A model wears French Connection Spring/Summer 2015 Collection at Michelson Studio in New York City, America.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05:  
(Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)

The company - once renowned for its edgy FCUK brand during the nineties and noughties - has posted a half-year loss of £7.9million.

Full year profits at Irn Bru maker go flat thanks to the chilly British summer

The latest advert in IRN-BRU?s new ?gets you through? campaign has launched today (Monday 21st May), introducing fans of Scotland?s favourite soft drink to ?Fanny?. 

Running online, the latest advert in the series of four continues the theme of celebrating Scots? ability to bounce back from tough situations by having a sense of humour about whatever life throws at them.

In ?Fanny?, a sip of IRN-BRU helps a brand new dad deal with an awkward moment around the naming of his new born daughter. 

IRN-BRU Head of Marketing, Adrian Troy, said: ?IRN-BRU gets you through all kinds of situations as we?ve shown in our recent series of ads. Our latest release is about an entirely new scenario and shows again how IRN-BRU gets you through, even when making the toughest of decisions.?

The Cumbernauld based firm, which is north east of Glasgow, said the slowdown in sale means it now expects annual profits to be unchanged from the previous year.

Sainsbury's sees sales rise again as it outperforms 'Big Four' for a second month, but the march of Aldi and Lidl continues 

Market research firm Kantar Worldpanel said Sainsbury's sales grew 0.9 per cent in the 12 weeks to September 13, while sales at Tesco, Asda and William Morrison all fell.

Bank of England deputy Sir Jon Cunliffe claims rates are likely to rise despite global economy's turmoil

Sir Jon Cunliffe.
undated

Deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe said the next move in borrowing costs will probably be up - although he added that the increases are expected to be 'limited and gradual'.

Treasury on block over RBS sell-off which resulted in £1.1bn loss for taxpayers

epa01923991 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) bank branch in London, Britain. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on 06 November 2009 reported third quarter losses of 1.53 billion pounds (2.54 billion US dollars, 1.7 billion euro), figures released by the bank showed. The operating loss was below second quarter losses of 3.53 billion pounds (5.86 billion US dollars, 3.94 billion euro), but so-called bad debts remained high, at 3.28 billion pounds (5.45 billion US dollars, 3.66 billion euro).  EPA/ANDY RAIN

MPs have demanded to see what advice the Treasury received before it sold off £2.1billion of RBS shares on August 3.

Me & my money: Former child pop star Jimmy Osmond owned his first house aged 14 - and still thinks property is the best investment

Me & my money: Former child pop star Jimmy Osmond owned his first house aged 14 - and

Former child pop star Jimmy Osmond lost £1.3million in the US property crash in 2008 but he still believes investing in bricks and mortar is more likely to pay off than investing in shares. Osmond, who made around $5million in a single year in his mid-20s and now fritters away a five-figure sum playing golf each year, earned his first pay cheque as an artist at the age of three.

£5.74 to find a number? It's free on the internet! Directory enquiry firms use industry shake-up to push up fees

£5.74 to find a number? It's free on the internet!

New rules aimed at cracking down on 'rip-off' directory enquiry services have been used to hide a price hike - with customers being stung almost £6 for a phone number they can obtain elsewhere for free. Industry watchdog Ofcom rolled out new rules two months ago demanding firms give a breakdown of the costs of their directory services - connection fees plus charges levied per minute.

Directory enquiry phone charges revealed: The cheapest and most costly services to request a phone number

Woman Writing in Organizer and Talking on Phone --- Image by   Michael A. Keller/Corbis

There is considerable disparity between the fees that directory enquiry services charge. Most will charge a connection fee and the majority charge a fee per minute as well.

Shop floors shrink by 1million sq ft as desperate supermarket chains cut space for first time in a decade

A shopper browses the alcohol section at a Tesco store on February 27, 2007 in London, England. 
Tesco is the the UK's biggest supermarket chain, with a 31.5% share of the total grocery market. 


LONDON - FEBRUARY 27:  
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Analysts have examined the largest groups as far back as 2004, when Tesco was almost half its current size, but some observers believe the cut may be the first since the 1940s.

Bank of England could set NEGATIVE interest rate: Move would mean that rather than earning money, savers would be charged for keeping their cash in the bank

Bank of England chief Andy Haldane could set NEGATIVE interest rate

Interest rates may need to be slashed below zero to stave off another economic downturn, a senior Bank of England official warned yesterday. Such a move would mean that rather than earning on money left in the bank savers would be charged - as the rate acts as a tax on savings. Chief economist Andy Haldane said Britain could require 'radical' action in order to keep the recovery on track, including further cuts in interest rates and even, in theory, the abolition of cash.

SIMON WATKINS: World's central banks walk a tightrope on interest rates

If the global economy slows down sharply, interest rates could be expected to stay at their historic lows for even longer.

The message from the Fed, the IMF and now Haldane is that it is too soon to draw a line under the financial crisis and raise rates, says ALEX BRUMMER

Hot on the heels of Janet Yellen's rejection of an early rise in American interest rates, Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has planted his own flag.

Another new banking name launches in Britain: Germany's Fidor offers fixed-rate savings and a current account - but are they any good?

Germany's Fidor offers fixed-rate savings and a current account – but are they any good?

A new banking name is looking to snap up British customers after launching a current account offering in-credit interest rates and fixed-rate bonds. German firm Fidor is an online-offering which is looking to be a hit with the social media generation.

Looking for a better current account? Our pick of some of the best - and the fees they charge 

Businessman putting a Pound coin into piggybank  
Businessman about to save a UK Pound coin into a pink piggy bank on office desk  
Image #:    82747458  
License type:    Rights-managed

After a busy week for current accounts, account holders may want to reconsider whether they still have the best deal. We round up some of the best available.

Is India the new China? A UK fund and an investment trust that are targetting the sub-continent's growth potential...

When the Chinese stock market recently slumped by 8 per cent in just one day, the cheers in India could be heard across the border.

Singapore now offers best quality of life for British expats according to annual survey as Australia and Canada slide down the list

Singapore now offers best quality of life for British expats according to annual survey as

Expats looking for the best quality of life away from Britain should seek jobs in the Far East, according to the latest annual index from NatWest International. Topping the chart for the first time since the report started eight years ago is Singapore, seeing itself sling from fourth place to top the polls in 2015.

Squeezed renters see arrears soar to highest level in more than two years as half lose hope of ever buying a home

A accommodation address adult adults americans apartment beloved better half bought box boxes buyer buying by carton cartons casual caucasian caucasians cheerful color colour couch crates daylight daytime domicile dwelling dwelling place european europeans female females friends head home house in in oneOs house indoor indoors inside laugh laughing loved loved one low res male males man mate mates men move move home move house move in moving moving home moving house moving in my my place new new 049 088 new address new home new house new place new property new076 jpg occupant of on one oneOs other over owner owner occupier partners place place of residence premises properties property proprietor residence resident roof settee shirts side side by side significant significant other sitting sitting on couch sitting on settee sitting on sofa smile smiling sofa spouse spouses standing sunlight sunny t t shirts t shirts tee tee shirts tee shirts unpack unpacked unpacking unpacking boxes unp

The proportion of rent arrears soared to 9.9 per cent of all rent payable in August, up from 8.4 per cent in July and 8 per cent last year - the highest level since December 2012.

Free tickets to next week's Homebuilding & Renovating Show in London for This is Money readers (which usually cost £36)

This is Money readers can snap up free pairs of tickets to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in the ExCel Centre, London, next week, simply by following our special link .

Are chocolate bars smaller, or are you just getting bigger? Research shows Mars Bars have shrunk 28% since 1990s and Yorkies 20% since 1970s launch...

Research shows chocolate Mars Bars have shrunk 28% since 1990s

New research backs up the complaint: many of our favourite chocolate bars have shrunk since the 1990s, even if they are now similar to the smaller sizes that were common in the 1980s. According to the study by kitchen specialists Appliance City, nearly eight in 10 Britons believe chocolate bars are getting smaller - and Mars bars are indeed a whopping 28 per cent lighter now than they were in the 1990s, albeit not much changed from their size in the 1980s.

Cuts to solar panel subsidies will scare investors and cause 20,000 job losses, businesses and campaigners warn

Workmen installing solar panels on to the roofs of homes in Delabole near Bodmin as the Government is set to announce plans to reduce subsidies for household solar electricity this week, with fears that the payments could be slashed by half. 

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Sunday October 30, 2011. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Solar. Photo credit should read: Simon Burt/PA Wire.

File photo dated 27/04/2011.

Businesses, unions, campaigners and energy sector bodies have joined calls for the Government to rethink its proposal to dramatically axe feed-in tariff payments from next year.

Revealed: Top 100 companies for customer service - and First Direct pushed into second place by cosmetics firm Lush

First Direct was beaten to the top spot by cosmetics company Lush in two high profile customer service polls, although it was praised for offering consumers 'a different type of bank'.

It's time to debunk the myth - Copenhagen is not an expensive spot to visit and has all the ingredients for a top city break, says LEE BOYCE

It's time to debunk the myth – Copenhagen is not an expensive spot to visit and has all

Before and after a recent weekend city break to Copenhagen, the first question friends, family and acquaintances have asked is: so, just how expensive was it? They are expecting tales of overpriced alcohol, pricey gastro-food and eye-watering taxi costs. But I can safely say, it's all a myth.

Death IS the only escape: Pensioners pay 11% of total income tax revenues - and Londoners are the biggest contributors

Closeup of UK tax return form with HM Revenue & Customs logo.
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Over 65s' share of UK's income tax payments was 11 per cent, or £17.5billion, of the £157billion total income tax paid for the tax year 2012/13, according to Predential.

One in six will be hit by a fee of up to £5,000 when cashing pension: Almost 700,000 over-55s will have to pay to access their savings

New rules on pension withdrawal follow a Westminster pledge by George Osborne (pictured) that they could be used like bank accounts. But those wanting to do so face stiff penalties.

Drivers warned over surge of spam e-mails asking for licence number and payment information via a phony website

The DVLA has warned drivers to be on their guard after a surge in fraudsters sending spam e-mail linking to a mocked-up version of its website.

Fiat in black box deal to help younger buyers struggling with insurance premiums to buy company's 500 city car

Fiat in black box deal to help younger buyers struggling with insurance premiums to buy

Underwritten by Zurich, the Carrot scheme, as its name implies, lets users earn up to 15 per cent of their premium back if they drive well according to an on board black box and Carrot guarantees no increase in premium for three years if conditions are met. Fiat will also contribute £800 over the first three years.

Bought a Land Rover Defender recently? It could soar in value as they are now 'sold out' - and production ceases soon

The last of the current model of Land Rover Defender are selling for thousands of pounds more used than they did new, according to latest data from CAP Automotive.

Liverpool is the whiplash capital of the UK as more than HALF of road accidents in the city result in an injury claim

The North West as a region had the highest proportion of claims from crashes at 43 per cent, according to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Revealed: Ten most common mistakes job hunters make on CVs and overused clichés that can put employers off

Ten most common CV mistakes and clichés that can put employers off

The average boss looks at a curriculum vitae for just three minutes while one in five make a decision on a candidate in less than 60 seconds from gleaning it, research has found. Despite almost a quarter of candidates claiming they have excellent written communication skills, many of them fall foul of using worn clichés in their CVs, the survey of 2,000 from New College of the Humanities found.

Boxed-in Lovespace packs its bags and expands into new headquarters as demand for storage surges

Boxed-in Lovespace packs its bags and expands into new headquarters as demand for storage

The firm, which is moving from Kennington, South London, to the City, has clients ranging from lingerie firm BlueBella to luxury toilet maker Kohler. As well as storing items for businesses, it will send them on to trade shows and clients. The firm was set up by car-club entrepreneur Brett Akker in 2012 after he sold Streetcar to US car rival Zipcar for £32million.

Confidence high as number of Britain's small firms reporting growth doubles since last year

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The upbeat outlook emerges from research by both American Express and AXA PPP Healthcare into small business confidence.

Government to prosecute rogue training providers offering dodgy apprenticeship schemes

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Grover/REX Shutterstock (2058989a)..Nick Boles..Nick Boles, Planning Minister, London - 08 Jan 2013..

Two employers told the Government that they had been forced to turn away job applicants who were severely underqualified at the end of 'apprenticeship schemes' done elsewhere.

Jobs site Rise To that matches young people to entrepreneurial businesses raises £744k

The Tesla Model S electric car during the the second press preview day at the 2010 North American International Auto Show January 12, 2010 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. US electric carmaker Tesla Motors is firing on all cylinders and gearing up for greater things after partnering with top carmaker Toyota, before it goes public at some point down the road.Tesla, with just a few hundred employees, and Toyota late May 20, 2010 announced a 50-million-dollar stake by the Japanese carmaker in the small, Palo Alto, California-based firm. 
AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)
(FILES).

Businesses using Rise To include electric car maker Tesla Motors and the Cambridge Satchel Company.

Amazon in deal to help small UK exporters cope with duty and VAT demands

A package of books from Amazon, UK

Doug Gurr, the director in charge of the deal, admitted that his firm had probably been more helpful to Chinese importers than small UK businesses in the past.

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

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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? The best fixed rates inch up as rate rise chatter increases - so is it time to fix?

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Some of the absolute cheapest mortgage rates have been pulled, as banks look to squeeze a little more from borrowers, but rates remain historically low.

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

September 2015
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 181XE611069 South West Wales
£1,000,000 180AV204733 Overseas
£100,000 82NC804116 Outer London
£100,000 248RZ165168 Bedfordshire
£100,000 188PZ779903 Essex
£100,000 15SM469591 Overseas
£100,000 137XP786876 Fife
£50,000 89AE387151 Birmingham
£50,000 6HJ562295 Hertfordshire
£50,000 36BX381662 Leicester
£50,000 251XK512431 Surrey
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