Dividend Heroes revealed: The investment trusts with the longest history of raising payouts

Dividend Heroes revealed: Investment trusts with longest history of raising payouts

The 20 investment trusts with the longest-running history of raising payouts to investors have been revealed in the latest Dividend Heroes list. The trio of trusts leading the list are knocking on 50 years of unbroken increases, according to the Association of Investment Companies. We reveal the top 20.

'If all you do with painkillers is keep taking them, you don't get better': Mervyn King warns on permanent low interest rates

Cutting the Bank of England base rate to 0.5 per cent was a sensible move, according to former Governor Lord Mervyn King, but he has warned against their seeming permanence.

The best of British: Three supercars set to take on the cream of the German and Italian competition

The best of British: Three supercars set to take  German and Italian rivals

Britain's supercar makers are rivalling the best that the Italians and Germans have to offer. That makes it fitting that they chose Geneva - positioned halfway between the supercar powerhouses of northern Italy and southern Germany - to launch new luxury cars that grabbed the motor industry's attention. Here's our three of the best of British soon to grace the roads.

'I was a sniper. Should I put that on my CV?' As nearly 4,000 veterans are helped into work by Barclays - we visit its After programme

It may come as a surprise to many that Barclays is offering help to hundreds of veterans every month in the form of workshops and support. This is Money went to its Canary Wharf HQ to find out more.

John Lewis may offer new bond for interest-starved savers after healthy windfall from last issue

Pedestrians walk past a John Lewis store on Oxford Street in central London, England on December 15, 2013. 
Britain's biggest department store group John Lewis posted a 1.4 percent year-on-year rise in sales to 149.9 million pounds ($244.01 million) in the week to December 14, helped by strong demand for cooking equipment.
The group's home department achieved a record week, buoyed by the sales of roasting tins and carving trays in the run up to the festive season, John Lewis said in a statement on Sunday.  
REUTERS/Neil Hall (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

Subscribers to a previous issue, offered in March 2011, have received a windfall of as much as £3,250 in cash and vouchers over the past five years.

Get a mortgage with just one year of trading history! Kent Reliance eases home loan rules for the self-employed

Mortgage lender cuts amount of trading history it will consider to 12 months, making it easier for newly self-employed individuals looking for a mortgage, but are the rates any good?

How pimping your ride will pummel your premiums: Ten car modifications that will see insurance costs soar

Have you contemplated fitting your car with a rear spoiler, a louder exhaust or even just a racing stripe? We reveal the top 10 modifications that''ll send insurance costs spiralling.

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FTSE CLOSE: Footsie regains some ground but closes in the red as Old Mutual talk sparks interest

FTSE LIVE: Footsie regains some ground but closes in the red

Top flight shares struggled for direction as oil firms and financial services groups weighed on the London market. The FTSE 100 Index fell 17 points to 6182.4, recovering from being almost 70 points down earlier in the session. The pound was flat against the US dollar at just under 1.43, despite strong American jobs figures on Friday which saw the US economy add 242,000 new jobs in February.

Fastjet shares slump on profit warning, amid calls for African budget airlines' boss, Ed Winter to step down immediately

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The Tanzania-based airline, which is backed by Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, expects results in 2016 to be 'materially below market expectations'.

UK manufacturing shows recovery glimmer but firms still running against a 'storm of global uncertainty'

Since January, the pace of contraction in the sector has slowed, with orders stabilising and growth predicted for the coming months, according to the EEF's latest Manufacturing Outlook report.

Metro Bank shares climb on stock market debut as challenger bank raises £400m from institutional investors

Vernon Hill, founder of Metro Bank, for Toby Green's Growth Capital interview ....

In early morning trading, Metro Bank shares were changing hands at 2,170p each, well above the 2,000p offer price set on Friday.

Mark Carney warned to keep out of EU row as he is set to face quiz by MPs over costs and benefits of membership

Bank of England governor Mark Carney speaks at the Bank of England's Open Forum 2015 conference on financial regulation, in London, England.

REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

The central bank governor will tomorrow be quizzed by MPs over the economic and financial costs and benefits of the UK's EU membership.

SMALL CAP IDEAS: 'Big data' firm Ebiquity goes from strength to strength by helping advertisers get 'most bangs for their buck'  

Hands are typing on a laptop computer in the dark with illuminated keyboard and mystic program code on screen. ET79A5 
Keys, Privacy, hands, internet, security, symbols, technology, Internet, Keys, Security, Privacy, Science, science, hands, internet, security, symbols, technology, hack, hacking, data

The phrase 'big data' is bandied about a lot these days, and Ebiquity is one of those technology companies with a product that makes sense of the deluge of data that is out there.

'I bought a new-build flat with a cheap fixed rate': Eight things you need to know about getting a mortgage on a brand new home

Eight tips to help you secure a new-build mortgage

Show homes around the country are being spruced up this month in preparation for the spring rush from potential buyers. But potential buyers may find it harder than expected to find a mortgage.We explain what those like Will Robertson, who bought a new flat in Cambridge, need to know.

'Paying off a loan has helped me rebuild my credit rating': How to boost your credit score - before it's too late

AMY LOINES FROM WELLING IN KENT HAS BENEFITED FROM A LOAN VIA ONLINE CREDIT COMPANY ' AMIGO ' AFTER BEING LEFT WITH DEBTS WHEN SPLITTING FROM HER BOYFRIEND AND HAVING SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS WHICH MEAN'T SHE COULD'NT WORK FOR SOME TIME.©RUSSELL SACH - 0771 882 6138

Your credit report is key to accessing the cheapest loans, mortgages and credit cards. But it is out of view, seldom thought of and rarely referred to - until it is too late.

Britain's gender pay divide shame: Women earn nearly £300,000 less than men over their working lives

Earning roughly £5,700 less than men a year, women's pay is 24 per cent lower, analysis based on official data by recruitment company Robert Half UK suggests.

The top 10 new cars of 2016: We run the rule over the motors tipped to shine - from the 'clever' Ford Kuga to the BMW M2

Top 10 new cars of 2016: Including the BMW M2

From a 177mph Porsche and a tiny BMW packed with 365 horsepower to a Prius that's greener (and cleverer) than ever, 2016 should prove an exciting year for new cars. Drivers looking for something more practical will also see a new Vauxhall Mokka, Renault Scenic and Ford Kuga. Ben Oliver unveils the leaders of the pack.

Ahead of the curve: Posh, plug-in or crossover? We spot three cars that are quickly becoming British favourites...

Ahead of the curve: Posh, plug-in or crossover? We spot three cars that are quickly

The Ford Fiesta, our bestselling car ever, spent its seventh year at the top of the UK sales charts. But British drivers are increasingly looking beyond standard hatchbacks. Sales of premium-badged cars, alternative-fuel vehicles and SUV-style crossovers are shooting up. We've mined the data to find the new models British motorists are adopting the fastest.

From tiling the kitchen, to painting walls: How to add value to your home with basic DIY... and when to call in the professionals

How to add value to your home with basic DIY jobs

Easter is a time for new beginnings - to roll up your sleeves and embark on do-it-yourself projects that add value to your home. We offer practical guidance on how to make the most of your DIY skills. For those not so keen on getting their hands dirty, we also look at how to hire a reputable tradesperson while avoiding the cowboys.

TONY HETHERINGTON: Now Banc de Binary is hit by £8m charge after three-year court battle

TONY HETHERINGTON: Now Banc de Binary is hit by £8m charge

The group, which sponsors Liverpool FC was accused by the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of illegally marketing investment deals linked to the prices of shares, currencies and commodities without being vetted and authorised by either financial watchdog.

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Pensions farce worthy of great Mr Ayckbourn as Osborne drops plans to cut tax relief

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Pensions farce worthy of great Mr Ayckbourn as Osborne drops plans to cut

Pensions policy in this country now resembles a fine Alan Ayckbourn farce, following the Government's extraordinary decision to abandon an overhaul of the tax incentives available to savers. Forget the long-term wellbeing of savers. Short-term political expediency rules. Pensions confusion, sadly, will continue to reign.

'No guarantee pensions are safe': Call to safeguard tax relief after Osborne shelves Budget raid on savers

George Osborne shelves raid on pensions saving - but for how long?

The Chancellor's mooted plan to turn pensions into something more like an Isa - with tax relief coming at the point of withdrawal rather than contribution - threatened to undermine retirement saving, particularly among middle-class workers. After warnings that the raid could cause a 'Northern Rock-style run on the pensions system', one senior Treasury source last night confirmed that 'there won't be any changes to tax relief at all in the Budget' on March 16.

Are house prices rising by almost 5% or nearly 10%? Why property market reports vary so wildly

For Sale signs, as official figures suggest that the average price of a home increased by £18,000 during 2015.
In December 2015, the typical UK property was worth £288,000 - up from £270,000 on average in January last year, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show. 

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 16, 2016. 
See PA story ECONOMY House. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire

The Halifax said house prices have gone up 9.7 per cent over the past year and the Nationwide index only 4.8 per cent. I'm confused. What is really going on?

Interest rates will probably be CUT and remain at rock-bottom until 2021, says former Bank policymaker

Former monetary policy committee member David Blanchflower added that the bank rate would remain at rock-bottom low levels until 2021.

MIDAS SHARE TIPS: HealthCare Royalty Trust aims to make healthy returns from royalties on drugs

MIDAS SHARE TIPS: HealthCare Royalty Trust aims to make healthy returns from royalties on

Many blockbuster drugs are at or near the end of their patents, which means they can be challenged by cheaper generic alternatives, and large pharmaceutical groups have struggled to replace them with life-changing new inventions. Instead, they have looked to biotech firms to provide fresh sales momentum, either by buying these companies or by licensing drugs from them. HealthCare Royalty Trust aims to take advantage of this trend. The company, a new type of investment trust, is hoping to raise £200million to £300million via a 100p-a-share listing on the Stock Exchange this month

Forget Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bugatti: The top 10 everyday cars launched at Geneva 2016 you should be excited about

Geneva Motor Show 2016's top everday cars you should get excited about

Hypercars may have stolen the headlines at the first main European motor show of the year, but there were plenty of affordable motors being showcased for the first time that should get your blood pumping. We've also picked the three new models you might question.

The cars that charge your building! Nissan to power new state-of-the-art French HQ with vehicles storing energy in the car park

Nissan workers won't just be driving their car to work in the near future, they'll be powering the lights in the office with it too. The carmaker plans to use 64 Leafs to gather electricity from the grid.

Bond will need deep pockets if he wants an upgrade: Aston Martin unveils all-new £155,000 DB11 at Geneva Motor Show - and it's one hell of a looker 

Amidst a raft of supercar reveals in Switzerland this week, Aston Martin's DB11 - the much rumoured and leaked replacement for the DB9 - created one of the biggest stirs on Tuesday afternoon.

'It reminds me of a sports car... with a massive boot': Natalie Pinkham reveals why she's getting a Jaguar F-Pace and her prediction for the new F1 season

Fast Lane motoring supplement 
Natalie Pinkham with the ..Jaguar F-PACE car..Copyright Photo By Les Wilson...www.leswilson.com..2nd March 2016.. ..

F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham - who reveals in our interview that she is giving up her sports car to accommodate her growing family - is a familiar motor-racing face.

The British supercars that wooed the world: McLaren, Bentley, Rolls- Royce and Aston Martin leading the way in Geneva

British luxury car makers - or, more precisely, luxury car brands made in the UK, as many are foreign owned - have never had it so good, as their Geneva presence showed.

Is this the maddest Lamborghini yet? The 217mph Centenario is revealed in Geneva... and even at £1.64m it's already sold out

Lamborghini's limited edition Centenario supercar is an Aventador on steroids

Lamborghini doesn't do things by halves - and this latest 40-model-only limited edition supercar is the perfect representation of the exotic automaker going back to its bonkers traditions. Called the Centenario, as you might have guessed it's a 100-year celebration special - this time to remember company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini who was born in 1916.

Is this the first 300mph road car? RAY MASSEY hears how Bugatti's new £2m Chiron is set to smash current record

The luxury supercar's top speed has been artificially limited to 261 mph for road use - on derestricted German autobahns. But an unlimited version will hit a maximum speed 'significantly' higher.

Honda invests £200m into Swindon plant after confirming new Civic hatchback will be built there no matter the outcome of the EU referendum

The brand, which claims to have already invested a total £2 billion into the Wiltshire factory, said the move 'demonstrated its long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK'.

Old Mutual set to update market on Friday about its future amid reports that the insurance giant is set to split    

Old Mutual set to update market on Friday about its future amid reports that the insurance

Following press reports, the banking and insurance firm put out a statement this morning confirming that it is currently 'considering all options', although 'no decision' has yet been made. It is understood the group has been working on a plan to divide itself into four stand-alone businesses, comprising its stake in South African lender Nedbank, its UK-focused Wealth unit, its South Africa-based emerging markets operation, and its institutional asset management business.

British American Tobacco wins another £340m taxman rebate as part of group action over historic payments

A packet of Dunhill cigarettes made by British American Tobacco is photographed in London, 28 February 2006. Cigarette giant British American Tobacco reported on Tuesday a 29-percent drop in pre-tax profits to GBP2.588 billion pounds (3.796 billion euros, 4.503 billion dollars) in 2005, but the results were skewed by big deals in 2004. BAT also expressed "regret" at a decision earlier this month by Britain's parliament to approve a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces in England, following similar moves in Ireland and other European countries. The group, which makes Kent and Dunhill cigarettes, said in its official earnings release that revenue sank 13 percent to 9.325 billion pounds last year, compared with 2004. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA
(Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)
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The new payment to the cigarette giant came in November, following a £620million payout last July, which was reported last month by The Mail on Sunday.

Battle for London Stock Exchange heats up as Chicago's exchange is latest to try to gatecrash the deal

London Stock Exchange sign, 
A security official stands in front of the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain, 01 February 2012. Four men inspired by al-Qaeda have admitted planning to detonate a bomb at the London Stock Exchange, it was reported 01 February. Mohammed Chowdhury, 21, Shah Rahman, 28, Gurukanth Desai, 30 and Abdul Miah,25, have pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism. The men were arrested in December 2010.  EPA/ANDY RAIN

Chicago Mercantile Exchange is reported to be considering a bid for Deutsche Boerse if NYSE is successful in its takeover attempt.

Give ALL young bright sparks a chance to soar, says DELOITTE BOSS

Transparency drives change, so it is important that the same principle applies to social mobility, says David Sproul.

Can Darren Topp revive the BHS chain bought for £1 last year? Store boss tells of closure plans to save millions on rent

Darren Topp

BHS chief executive Darren Topp had to face his staff on Friday morning last week and tell them hundreds would lose their jobs and dozens of stores are likely to close.

SIMON WATKINS: Cut red tape and make tax fairer for our small firms

SIMON WATKINS: Cut red tape and make tax fairer for our small firms

This is not about letting these businesses escape from paying their way - many do not pay much if any corporation tax to start with. It is about releasing the management of these firms from a red tape exercise that lumbers them with a burden far out of proportion to its value to the Exchequer.

Caffè Nero paid no corporation tax in the last financial year despite profit of £23.6m as sales surge

BC5EN9 Cafe Nero, The Square, Petersfield, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom. Image shot 2009. Exact date unknown.

The company, which has hundreds of branches across Britain, saw sales in the UK and Ireland grow by 8.5 per cent to £241million in the 12 months to May 31, 2015.

Sharing data with rivals could leave customers at risk of fraud, warn energy providers

A fleet of engineers van with the company logo sit at the British Gas Energy Academy, in Leicester, U.K., on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. Centrica Plc, Britain¿s biggest energy supplier will announce first half earnings later this week. Photographer: Paul Hackett/Bloomberg..

Energy firms fear that plans to force them to share data with rivals are a 'spammers' charter' which would leave customers wide open to the risk of fraud.

Revealed: How ex-Barclays boss Jenkins met financier Amanda Staveley suing the bank for £1bn

Antony Jenkins, chief executive officer and executive director of Barclays Plc, speaks as Antony Jenkins, chief executive officer and executive director of Barclays Plc, left, and during the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. The 2014 CGI theme of "Reimagining Impact" brings members together to facilitate the development of forward-thinking and to re-envision the way we impact the world. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Antony Jenkins has held talks about a new financial technology venture with Amanda Staveley, who is suing Barclays for almost £1billion.

SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SHARE TIPS: HealthCare Royalty Trust, MJ Gleeson, Worldpay and Paddy Power Betfair

We round up the Sunday newspaper share tips. This week, Midas runs the rule over investment trust HealthCare Royalty and updates on MJ Gleeson.

Dragon's Den youngest entrepreneur Jordan Daykin now gets £2m funding for his GripIt Fixings firm

Dragon's Den youngest entrepreneur Jordan Daykin now gets £2m funding for his firm GripIt

GripIt Fixings, founded by 20-year-old Jordan Daykin, opened its campaign on Crowdcube on Monday and received more than 500 backers. Daykin came up with the idea for producing universal plasterboard fixings commercially in 2008 while installing curtain rails with his grandfather, Stan, who was then aged 74.

Corporation tax could soon be abolished for smaller firms under new plans to make it simpler

Angela Knight , Chief Exec of Energy UK.
Picture:  Craig Hibbert          24-4-13

Corporation tax may be scrapped entirely for some small businesses under plans unveiled by Angela Knight, the newly appointed chairwoman of the Office of Tax Simplification.

The 50 small firms hailed as 'game-changers' include film website We Are Colony which tennis ace Andy Murray has invested in

Sarah Tierney CEO of "We are Colony" who won an event at the Everline future 50 awards

We Are Colony is one of just eight companies with a female founder or co-founder among the 50 small firms named on Thursday as the UK's most 'disruptive' businesses for 2016

'The bank manager was a misogynist, frankly. He patted me on the head, said I had no chance': Former Dragon Hilary Devey on how she built her £100m business

Dragon's Den's Hilary Devey built £100m firm after misogynist bank manager said no

In Start-up Secrets, multimillionaire Pall-ex founder and TV favourite Hilary Devey reveals how her father losing it all was her biggest inspiration, how it felt to sell her house and car to fund her business - and why she's backing staying in the EU. She also tells us about the bank manager who told her to go home.

Ministers 'must act' on bra boss Michelle Mone's enterprise plans

EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO MERCHANDISING..Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock (5234443ao)..Michelle Mone..'Good Morning Britain' TV Programme, London, Britain - 13 Oct 2015..

The Federation of Small Businesses has urged Ministers to back bra tycoon Michelle Mone's recommendations for enterprise in deprived communities, which were published last week.

Modern life is NOT rubbish, says Warren Buffett, as his shareholder letter reveals the secret sauce for prosperity

Modern life is NOT rubbish, says Warren Buffett in his shareholder letter

'It's an election year, and candidates can't stop speaking about our country's problems (which, of course, only they can solve),' wrote Buffett. His response was an ode to our good fortune that is about as far as you can get from the 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore' posturing of populist politics.

Dumb tracker, easy do-it-all fund, or smart beta? Passive investing has never been cheaper, here's how you can track the market

Passive investors have never had it so good. Costs are falling at the same time as the opportunity to tap into markets increases. But what does a good tracker look like?

'Share prices have fallen due to forced selling... so I'm buying': Fund manager who returned 20% for investors last year reveals his top shares

Top performing UK mid cap manager Chris St John is taking advantage of the market sell-off to top up on holdings such as Auto Trader and Betfair, where he still has high conviction.

Would President Trump boost your nest egg? What a triumph for the rogue candidate would mean for investors

Donald Trump could hurt healthcare but his Mexico wall may boost construction

After claiming victory this week in seven states, the polls gave the businessman-cum-celebrity a 27 per cent chance of becoming the next US president. With a host of outlandish policies, not least building a wall across the border to Mexico, what would a Trump triumph in the November election mean for investors?

How to invest your pension pot wisely: From a tax-free lump sum to drawdown, MAIKE CURRIE on what you need to know

How to use your pension pot wisely for retirement income

Unsurprisingly, the thought of losing access to this pension sweetener has left many retirees distraught. Some are choosing to take the tax-free quarter of their pension pot right now just in case the Chancellor does choose to get rid of it. But it's not simply a matter of taking it while you can

Active managers are still a thriving species - but they could become extinct as smart beta gets better and better, says investing expert NICK SAMUELS

Three quarters of assets under management are in active funds. Yet these funds routinely fail to beat their benchmark and cannot justify their fees, says Redington's Nick Samuels.

Could you hold the fort? Ten castles for sale in Britain now - and one thing that's not medieval is the price...

Ten castles for sale in UK now - and one thing that's not medieval is the price

We choose our top 10 medieval homes - and there's something for everyone whether your budget is £600,000 or £6million.

Would you eat dinner later to slash your electricity bill? Households could save £75 a year by getting cheaper power for cutting back at peak times

Electricity pylons --- Image by © Justin Paget/Tetra Images/Corbis

Households could save, for example, if they ran their washing machines during the day when demand was lower, or cooked their dinner just a bit earlier or later than most other families.

Have you won big on the premium bonds with a small holding but don't even know? One winner yet to claim a £100k prize has just £6 of bonds

Have you won big on the premium bonds with a small holding but don't know?

There are 1.2million unclaimed premium bond prizes worth £51million, including two bumper £100,000 amounts, according to National Savings and Investments. Many of the bigger prizes outstanding are from those who have small holdings, the data reveals, so it is likely the winners haven't thought to check them because of their size.

Why cheaper petrol may be causing more accidents: Insurer Admiral thrives as motorists make 'discretionary' trips

DETAIL OF A MOTORISTS HAND TAKING AN UNLEADED PETROL PUMP NOZZLE UK. Image shot 2001. Exact date unknown.
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Announcing a surge in profits, the FTSE 100 firm said that motorists made more 'discretionary' trips last year because it cost them less to fill up a tank leading to a led to a rise in car accidents and injuries.

Households that don't switch energy miss out on up to £400 a year despite Big Six price cuts, says watchdog

A stock photo of a woman boiling kettle on hob to make tea.


C32EX6 Woman boiling kettle on hob to make tea

Which? said that households could save up to £400 a year if they were to switch to the cheapest dual fuel deal on the market, while those on gas-only tariffs, could save up to £260.

Buy-to-let boom threatens the economy, says Bank official, as landlords could send house prices tumbling if they sell en-masse

Buy-to-let boom threatens the economy, says Sir Jon Cunliffe

Figures from the Bank of England show lending to landlords has surged from 11.3 per cent of new loans in 2007 to 15.6 per cent in the same period of last year. 'There is a potential risk there,' said Sir Jon Cunliffe, the deputy governor for financial stability.

House price inflation fails to take off despite claims buy-to-let investors are racing to snap up homes ahead of stamp duty hike

A GENERIC SHOT OF YOUNG FIRST-TIME BUYERS LOOKING AT PROPERTIES FOR SALE.
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ESTATE AGENTS 
FIRST TIME BUYERS
POSED BY MODELS
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for sale
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A mixed picture was put out by the UK's two biggest mortgage providers today, but both agreed property prices were relatively steady, despite a claimed buy-to-let rush.

Call for a new breed of simple pension investments for income in retirement, as freedoms pile risks onto savers

Nothing available right now is up to scratch, so 'hybrid' products should be designed that combine income drawdown, an annuity for later life, and inflation protection, says a new report.

RIP cash Isas (1999-2016): The much-loved tax-free accounts killed by George Osborne's savings revolution

Tax-free cash ISA accounts killed by George Osborne's savings revolution

Our investigation exposes how George Osborne's savings tax revolution has destroyed the cash Isa. In the past year the big banks have slashed Isa rates by up to 40% for new savers as the deals have lost their marketing appeal. Rates have crashed to lower than on taxable fixed-rate bonds and easy-access accounts. So is an Isa still worth it?

ASK TONY: HMRC keeps slicing away bits of my pension claiming I owe them thousands in underpaid tax

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I am a 77-year-old widow and I'm at my wits' end over HMRC's continuing demands for several thousand pounds of allegedly underpaid tax.

Ikano offers some of the best savings rates around but can you trust the bank that IKEA built? We run the rule over ten UK challenger banks...

IKEA Floor Manager Paul Reid welcomes the media to the New IKEA store in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007.  The massive IKEA Home Furniture store will open Thursday in the first store of the island of Ireland.  (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Unfamiliar banks are grabbing savers' attention by offering better rates than traditional High Street names. But it's important to do your own research before you sign up.

INVESTMENT CLINIC: I like to invest in individual shares rather than funds - which is the best website to use for doing this?

INVESTMENT CLINIC: What's the best way to invest in shares?

There are many websites offering fund and share dealing services and it can be really difficult to pick one. The best place to start is with fees, because you need to make sure you're not paying too much. If you're going to be an infrequent trader, then it's best to look for low-cost flat fees.

Should you buy your holiday cash now? Currency brokers bombarded with orders for euros as value of the pound plummets

Many Euro banknotes of the European Union.

The Post Office, which is Britain's biggest currency seller, has exchanged 43 per cent more euros over the past week than in the same period last year.

FTSE 100 index on roughest ride since 2000: Stock market suffers volatility not seen since the dotcom crash that halved the Footsie

Ftse graph.jpg

In the first two months of this year there were 16 such days when the FTSE 100 index rose or fell by 1.5% or more, according to figures crunched for This is Money by Trustnet Direct.

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.

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? Bank's lone wolf ends his hike calls, as outlook for a rise drifts to 2017

When will UK interest rates rise?

Interest rates are set to remain at their record lows well into 2017, commentators suggested after the Bank of England held rates by a vote of 9-0 and lowered its growth forecasts. The quarterly inflation report said that outlook for global growth had weakened further since the previous report in November and that the latest data suggest a softer picture for UK activity in 2015 than previously assumed.

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

Fight back against the banks: Your guide to the rules of switching and where to find the best current accounts - some will even give you free money!

Banking customers typically stick with their current account provider for an average 15 and a half years. But signing up for a new account can get you a much better deal. Here's how to switch

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 price rises ease but London market is picking up again

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After a slowdown earlier this year, the London market appears to be continuing to push ahead of the rest of the UK. We look at the latest figures.

What next for mortgage rates? Borrowers are in a sweet spot, so is it time to fix?

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Borrowers could be in something of a sweet spot, with lenders keen to lend, house prices rising and a first rate rise still considered a way off. We look at the best mortgage rates.

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Best paid jobs 2015: Compare your salary to the national average in this league table of 350 professions - and see the year's winners and losers

Compare your pay to the UK average across 350 professions

Musicians have seen pay rises averaging nearly 20 per cent in 2015, while cleaners are getting 17.8 per cent more, and window cleaners 12.3 per cent. Artists in general are earning 14.6 per cent more in 2015 than 2014, according to the huge annual data dump of pay scales by the Office For National Statistics highlights.

Premium Bonds winners

March 2016
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 254MZ390454 Tyne and Wear
£1,000,000 176QW334158 Leicestershire
£100,000 265JN632736 Wales
£100,000 250VM945648 County Durham
£100,000 215XY398675 Preston
£100,000 189SR408716 Wales
£100,000 153PC733202 Suffolk
£50,000 93GY116930 Wales
£50,000 85XA357243 Essex
£50,000 78WE426762 Hertfordshire
£50,000 26AE681300 Cambridgeshire
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Tourist rates

Currency Rate Buy now
Updated 07 Mar 2016.
Euro 1.2675 Buy Now
US Dollar 1.3875 Buy Now
Australian Dollar 1.8634 Buy Now
Canadian Dollar 1.85 Buy Now
Chinese Yuan 8.8669 Buy Now
Croatian Kuna 9.4608 Buy Now
Czech Koruna 33.976 Buy Now
Danish Krone 9.3421 Buy Now
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Polish Zloty 5.3858 Buy Now
Singapore Dollar 1.9101 Buy Now
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Swedish Krona 11.675 Buy Now
Swiss Franc 1.3774 Buy Now
Thai Baht 48.389 Buy Now
UAE Dirham 5.0754 Buy Now

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