Osborne's £58bn sin tax black hole: Beware a Budget rise in fuel, alcohol and cigarette duties

George Osborne's £58bn sin tax black hole could see rise in fuel and alcohol

The pub and drinks industry, as well as motoring groups, are pleading for a tax cut to protect jobs and the finances of households in an attempt to stop a rise in duty ahead of the budget. Analysis by the Mail has discovered that the Treasury is facing a £58.4billion gulf between what Osborne had hoped to bring in from levies on fuel, tobacco, spirits, wine and beer when he first became Chancellor, and what he has received.

Britain's affordable property hotspots revealed - with Liverpool, Conwy and Bradford topping the list

Liverpool tops the list of property hotspots after seeing a 40 per cent increase in property prices. It is followed by Conwy in South Wales and Bradford.

Let's raise the roof: RAY MASSEY goes topless in Range Rover's eagerly awaited Evoque Convertible 

Let's raise the roof: RAY MASSEY goes topless in Range Rover's eagerly awaited Evoque

Designed and built with women in mind, the new Evoque focuses on fun, but still does the business. Danella Bagnall was engineering project director - the first female in that job at Land Rover.

Iconic train stations for sale by Network Rail: Fears that historic landmarks will fall to foreign buyers 

12M_CITY RAIL STATION SELL OFFpg99.jpg

London Paddington, Euston, Waterloo and Birmingham New Street stations have been put up for sale after the government-owned rail operator's debts spiralled out of control.

Will this be the Budget that punishes motorists? AA claims Chancellor is toying with raising insurance costs yet again

Motorists could be facing a typical bill £40 higher than just three months ago for cover as the Chancellor is rumoured to hike Insurance Premium Tax for a second time in quick succession.

Signal failures, crew shortages and 'chronic under-investment': 5,000 trains seriously delayed over three months

NEW With delays ranging from 30 minutes to nearly two hours, 57 trains a day held up Brits trying to get from A to B over the three month period.

£156m Notonthehighstreet.com's Holly Tucker: 'Grey-haired investors laughed at us when we asked for funding - to them we were just two women who sold crafts'

Holly Tucker co-founded Notonthehighstreet as a way to connect creative small businesses with an enthusiastic customer base who couldn't access them. In 2015 turnover hit £156million.

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MARKET REPORT: Marks & Spencer slumps to become session's biggest loser in the FTSE 100 as City loses faith

MARKET REPORT: Marks & Spencer slumps to become session's biggest loser in the FTSE 100 as

M&S; chief executive Marc Bolland revealed in January he was stepping down after failing to revive the flagging fortunes of the chain's clothing arm. Bolland announced his plan to retire in April after M&S; said general merchandise (GM) like-for-like sales had slumped 5.8 per cent in the three months to Christmas, although food sales rose.

INVESTMENT EXTRA: Why consumers are more valuable than bankers to investors 

A Stock photo of People shopping in busy Oxford Street London.

Image shot 2009. Exact date unknown.

While the headline FTSE 100 index has fallen significantly over the past year, if you take a closer look at the details you see that there are two contrasting stories playing out in the UK stock market.

Is missing Indian booze billionaire Vijay Mallya hiding out in Hertfordshire? 

Vijay Mallya (L) attends the Quintessentially Foundation and Elephant Family's Royal Rickshaw Auction presented by Selfridges at Lancaster House on June 30, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Mallya, the former chairman of United Spirits, ran India-based Kingfisher Airlines until it collapsed in 2012 leaving thousands unemployed and unpaid bills said to be worth in the region of $1.3bn.

British households expect long wait for next rate hike, poll shows 

Pedestrians walk past the Bank of England in the City of London May 15, 2014. Bank of England policymaker Ben Broadbent said on Thursday it was not surprising that Britain's housing market was recovering along with the rest of the economy and he did not see troubling levels of credit growth.  REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS REAL ESTATE)

Just 38 per cent said they expect rates to rise from 0.5 per cent over the coming year, according to a survey by the central bank and market researcher TNS.

ALEX BRUMMER: Another budget, another election and a Chancellor with another difficult juggling act on his hands

Daily Mail City Editor Alex Brummer.
byline

In the coming week the Chancellor will be at the dispatch box for the fourth time in 12 months and once again an election, the Brexit referendum, will be on George Osborne's mind.

Worst of oil rout 'is over', say analysts (as Shell begins £20bn asset sale)  

A general view of a Shell petrol station in Hove, East Sussex. Royal Dutch Shell outshone its troubled rival BP as it revealed a near-doubling in annual profits to 18.6 billion US dollars (£11.5 billion). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday February 3, 2011. Higher oil prices and a boost to production levels meant the Anglo-Dutch firm increased earnings in the final three months of the year by almost 400% to 5.7 billion US dollars (£3.5 billion). The figures come two days after BP revealed its first annual loss in nearly two decades of 4.9 billion US dollars (£3 billion) after counting the cost of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. 

File photo dated 13/06/2008 
See PA story CITY Shell. Photo credit should read: Clive Gee/PA Wire

The International Energy Agency said a slowdown in oil production could mean the worst of the rout in oil prices is over. In January prices plummeted to 12-year lows, falling below $27-per-barrel.

Meet the woman behind the Evoque Convertible, Range Rover's hottest new car designed to appeal to a new generation of buyers

Range Rover's Evoque Convertible designed to appeal to a new generation of buyers

If you're building a hot new soft-top car designed with women in mind it helps to have a female boss running the production line. And that is exactly what Land Rover's engineering chief, Danella Bagnall, is doing to ensure female customers are properly catered for when the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible hits the tarmac in June. Initially, Bagnall chaired a women-only committee at the advanced planning stage of the Evoque to ensure the hotly-anticipated four-seater 4x4 catered equally for the needs of single and family-focused female drivers, and wasn't too biased towards men.

Business group that lost boss in Brexit row slams Government for failing to stimulate the ailing UK economy

Prime Minister David Cameron (right) test drives a new sub-surface District line tube train, as Chancellor George Osborne looks on, at the Bombardier Transportation site in Derby, where Mr Osborne announced £5.2 billion investment in road and rail projects in the Midlands as part of a plan he said could create 300,000 new jobs in the region by 2020. 
Improvements could include the electrification of rail lines linking Birmingham to Bristol and Derby, as well as the widening of sections of the M1 and M5 motorways.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 12, 2015.
 See PA story POLITICS Midlands. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Ahead of the Budget next week, the acting head of the BCC has criticised Chancellor George Osborne for the UK's deficit being too high and for failing to support Britain's exporters.

Hilarious money-saving hacks you'll wish YOU thought of: Genius solutions include ironing with a saucepan, biro chopsticks and a tennis racquet sieve 

Resourceful students have come up with some hilarious, but admittedly quirky, life hacks to navigate troublesome situations such as a lack of cooking equipment and basic household utensils.

UK's best and worst industries for start-ups revealed: Sharing economy embraces new businesses but TV and music industry is a harsher place...

O2 Business list the UK's best and worst industries for start-ups revealed

The rental and leasing sector, which has recently seen the meteoric rise of firms like Uber and Airbnb, is the one where new businesses are most likely to thrive, according to a survey of the best and worst industries for UK start-ups. The TV and music industry does not fare well however in the list compiled by by O2 Business and the Centre of Economic and Business Research, using analysis of data including turnover, productivity and employment statistics.

Petrol prices going back up? Fuel duty rise on the cards in Budget as Osborne seeks to boost coffers

Motorists are being warned to expect a rise in fuel duty next month as Chancellor George Osborne looks at ways to raise Treasury revenues.

More Britons expect rates to go up this year but economy falters as trade deficit with EU hits record high

A84MB8 Cargo ships at Felixstowe in Suffolk England UK
Container ship

The Bank of England said 38 per cent of people expected interest rates to go up in the next 12 months, compared to 35 per cent who thought so in November.

Debt map of Britain: Do you live in one of the most over-indebted areas of the UK? 

Debt map of Britain: Do you live in one of the most over-indebted areas of the UK? 

One in six adults in the UK is described as 'over-indebted' this equates to 8.2million people across the UK, according to a new report. Renters, young people, single parent familes and those with three of more children are most likely to be affected. There is a higher percentage of people in problem debt living in cities and those in Sandwell, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil have the highest levels of debt, research from the Money Advice Service reveals. 

Can you really buy a property in Preston for the price of a Ford Fiesta? We reveal what a house costs compared to a car in your area

Despite house prices rising, it is still possible to buy a home for as little as £15,000 - the price of a Ford Fiesta Titanium. But you'll need to be in Preston, in Lancashire, according to new research.

SIMON LAMBERT: The pension tax raid is on ice for now - but there are still Budget dangers lurking for your retirement

The Budget dangers still lurking for your pension

The Chancellor's desire to balance the books is a noble one, but pension relief is there for the nation's long-term benefit. We already worry that those around retirement age will not have enough money, yet they had better pensions, more secure jobs and cheaper homes than the younger generation that's having saving benefits hacked at. The tinkering must stop.

COMMENT: 'It's not all about first-time buyers - we need a one-time stamp duty exemption for downsizing over-65s to free up the housing market,' says housebuilding chief

A retirement flat in Porthcawl, built by McCarthy and Stone, and worth up to £220,000. Given away in a Daily Mail competition

Housebuilders need to recognise the needs of this market and design appropriate and aspirational housing that is attractive to older people, says Clive Fenton of McCarthy & Stone.

Investing Show: How to spot the dividend stars of the future

Investing Show: How to spot the dividend stars of the future

Laura Foll, co-manager of Lowland investment trust, explains why she's buying some oil and commodities stocks and where she and fellow manager James Henderson look for future dividend stars.

Get it before it's Gone in Sixty Seconds: The Shelby Mustang GT500 driven by Nicolas Cage in hit movie from 2000 is for sale on Auto Trader

The GT500 Shelby Cobra, which was formerly owned by ex-Chelsea and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, was used as a 'beauty car' in the film and toured the world to promote the movie.

Manchester soars up global cost of living league as it gets more expensive than Brussels, Milan and Stockholm

According to the latest survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Manchester has leapfrogged Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Hamburg, Milan, Munich, Reykjavik, Rome and Stockholm.

Millions could see energy bills fall as watchdog sets price cap for low-income households and slams big suppliers for taking customers for granted

Millions could see energy bills fall as CMA sets price cap for low-income households

The findings of a long-awaited Competition and Markets Authority report were released this morning, including proposals to protect those on pre-payment meters and share data on customers who haven't switched, so rival firms can try and poach them. It said that too many customers were sat on standard variable tariffs - typically the most expensive - and they could save more than £300 on average by switching.

Housing market will cool this year when rush to purchase buy-to-let properties subsides, forecast estate agents

Landlord investors are keen to beat the April 1 deadline, after which they will pay an extra 3 percentage points above current stamp duty rates on buying a buy-to-let property.

Debt management firm shut down after widespread errors as watchdog cracks down on the consumer credit market

The debt management firm PDHL has been shut down by the financial watchdog after it was found to have made a 'number of failings' and was giving 'poor quality debt advice'.

I froze my gym membership when I was diagnosed with cancer - now I've been told there's no record and I've lost my money

I froze my gym when diagnosed with cancer but now I've lost the money: what are my rights

Last year I paid £300 upfront for year's membership at my local Sports Direct gym but two months later when I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer I froze it for six months and and handed in a doctor's note. The gym told me the membership was frozen and took a copy of my note, which stated I was unable to use the gym facilities for the next six months. This year I decided to go back to the gym as I am now ready to start doing gentle exercises again. However, when I went back I was shocked to find out there was no record of my doctor's note and the membership hadn't been frozen.

Overdraft fees soar to all-time high of £82.56 a year - but are still not a patch on unarranged amounts that cost up to £690

The price of using an agreed overdraft has reached an all-time peak at £82.56 a year but an unarranged facility could clock up monthly fees of up to £57.50, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk.

Should you always do your washing during the night - and which other energy-saving tips really work?

Should you always do your washing during the night - and which other energy-saving tips

You've switched suppliers (it could save you £301 a year), but still feel as if you're being ripped off. There's only one thing left to do: take matters into your own hands by using cunning tricks to slash your energy usage. We're often told to use special light bulbs, turn the TV off at the mains and stop filling the kettle. But are these energy-saving tips really worth the hassle - and just how much can you save?

Shake-up to make National Insurance more like income tax could leave 6.2m workers worse-off

HM Revenue and Customs Self assessment tax statement letter with brown envelope and cash in notes and coins. 


Image shot 2013. Exact date unknown.
D349DJ.

The changes, in a report which described the current system 'as no longer fit for purpose', would leave 6.2million workers juggling low-paid jobs worse off.

Manchester soars up global cost of living league as it gets more expensive than Brussels, Milan and Stockholm

According to the latest survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Manchester has leapfrogged Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Hamburg, Milan, Munich, Reykjavik, Rome and Stockholm.

Savings shambles: New rules will soon let you earn £1,000 interest tax-free - yet nobody can explain how this will work

Savings tax shambles: New rules will soon let you earn £1,000 interest tax-free - yet

Our investigation found savers are being kept in the dark about vital changes to how their interest is taxed. It could leave thousands of pensioners out of pocket. Last year the Chancellor told savers he was abolishing tax on the first £1,000 of interest they earned from any High Street account.

Trunki suitcase founder loses Supreme Court battle with rival Kiddee Cases over similar design

Rob Law from Bristol, who was turned down on Dragons Den but has turned his children's suitcase - the Trunki - into a £7 million per year business. See SWNS story. The businessman's product is to feature in a Supreme court hearing today, March 9 2016 claiming a rival product - the Kiddee Case - infringes on his intellectual property rights.

Magmatic - founded by former Dragons' Den contestant Rob Law - had claimed the Kiddee Case suitcases made by PMS International infringed their registered design rights.

It has never been cheaper to fix a mortgage for ten years - but should you lock in for that long?

It has never been cheaper to fix a mortgage for ten years - but should you do it?

A ten-year fix gives you security, as you know how much you will pay for a decade. But if you move home within the period it could turn into an expensive commitment. Yesterday Leeds BS launched the cheapest ever ten-year deal at just 2.75 per cent.

Now just leave our pensions alone! Victory for our campaign as Osborne backs away from a vicious tax raid

File photograph shows Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne arriving for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street in London, Britain February 20, 2016. British finance minister George Osborne has dropped plans for a pensions overhaul which had run into opposition in his Conservative Party, already split over the country's European Union membership referendum, media reports said on March 5, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

We first warned on the pension threat last summer and now after our Save Our Pensions campaign, George Osborne has caved in and dropped his assault on savers.

ASK TONY: Utility Warehouse cut my phone line and broadband without warning after I used too much energy

ASK TONY: Utility Warehouse cut my phone line without warning after I used too much energy

Yesterday I received an email demanding £68.40 for my November bill, but I have a direct debit set up to pay these. When I checked my bank account, the £68.40 had been taken, but Utility Warehouse was saying I had not paid. This nightmare situation has been going on since February 2015. I am 80 and implore you to help me sort this out.

Are you one of the two million people struggling to cancel monthly subscriptions they don't want or need?

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Many were signed up without their knowledge, including those taking up online offers who unwittingly commit to monthly payments.

Energy customers abandon the Big Six as paltry price cuts of 5% fall flat compared to falling wholesale costs of 23%

British Gas was the biggest loser with 17 per cent of households using comparethemarket.com to move away from the supplier in February, while First Utility came out on top.

SMALL CAP MOVERS: Wheels fall off at Tandem over underpaid tax; stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons in emergency fund-raising

SMALL CAP MOVERS: Wheels fall off at Tandem over underpaid tax; stamp dealer Stanley

The wheels came off at Tandem Group this week, as the mobility equipment maker revealed it might have been underpaying import duties. Also taking a licking was cash-strapped collectibles firm Stanley Gibbons, after the philatelist's favourite revealed it was on the cusp of issuing shares at 10p a pop to raise around £13million.

The $1bn online bank heist that was foiled by a spelling mistake: But hackers still got away with $80m in con that fooled Bangladesh central bank and New York Fed

Criminals managed to breach Bangladesh Bank systems and stole its credentials for online payment transfers, two senior officials from the bank said.

Old Mutual performs four-way split in bid to cut costs and boost profits 

The Anglo-South African insurer announced the drastic move yesterday as it revealed its profits rose 4 per cent to £1.7billion last year.

JD Wetherspoon chairman warns of higher staff costs and backs 'Brexit' as pubs group sees profits dip

The JD Wetherspoon pub, the 'Hope And Champion', opens for the first day of trading in the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 motorway in Beaconsfield, England on January 21, 2014. 
The Hope and Champion is England's first pub to open in a motorway service area and will open from 4am until 1am on seven days a week. The pub has been criticised by road safety and motoring organisations who fear it could increase the risk of drink-driving.  

BEACONSFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21:  
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Wetherspoon's chairman Tim Martin lamented the 'continuing tax disparity between supermarkets and pubs' as he also revealed the group paid £333million in tax in the first half.

ALEX BRUMMER: As the recovery gains traction and jobs are created... Britons lose the savings habit

Daily Mail City Editor Alex Brummer.
byline

It reflects a change in the national mood as recovery has gained traction and jobs created. Citizens have become less cautious and more willing to spend at a moment when returns are so poor.

ECB fires big bazooka into eurozone economy but sterling and stock market dive as Draghi says he's out of ammunition

ECB fires big bazooka into eurozone economy but sterling and stock market dive

Draghi said it was unlikely the bank would reduce rates further in future - with traders taking this to mean that the central bank had officially run out of tools in its armoury. The comments spooked traders, who sold stocks in London and decided it wasn't such a bad day for the euro after all.

Aviva savers in a £650m rush to withdraw cash after the pension freedoms

Mark Wilson, chief executive officer of Aviva.
Aviva plc is a British multinational insurance company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Aviva shares soared 43p to 505p as the company raised its final dividend 4% to 9.4p and revealed that it had paid off £1.7 billion of its internal debt.

The insurance giant, led by ceo Mark Wilson, said it paid £650million in pension payments since George Osborne's radical reforms of the retirement market came into force last April.

More top jobs axed at Rolls-Royce as engineer aims to save between £150m and £200m

A worker scrubs the turbine of an aircraft jet engine at the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine factory in Berlin, Germany. 
The factory, a greenfield project built in 1993 in what was East Germany before 1989, produces jet engines for aircraft makers including Airbus and Boeing. The plant's production is also typical of the high-tech exports that make the Germany the world's biggest exporter.  

BERLIN - AUGUST 23:  
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The engineer is reducing its senior manager count by 150 under plans revealed to staff yesterday. It had already announced that 50 positions would be axed.

Germans up ante in battle over LSE by raising a potential £800m war chest

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

LSE Group - one of the three pillars of the City of London - is in talks about a proposed £20billion merger with Deutsche Boerse that would hand control to its Frankfurt rival.

Cineworld enjoys a blockbusting year on hits like Star Wars, Jurassic World and Bond film Spectre

Cineworld Graphic.jpg

These top three films alone raked in £245m in revenue for the chain in 2015 - £150m more than the top films of 2014: The Lego Movie, Inbetweeners 2 and Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes.

RUTH SUNDERLAND: Why I can now herd sheep across London Bridge and walk around with a sword drawn 

RUTH SUNDERLAND: Why I can now herd sheep across London Bridge and walk around with a

For the likes of Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Benjamin Disraeli, becoming an Honorary Freeman was a way for the Square Mile to pay its highest possible tribute. But for ordinary folk like me there is a way to become part of this proud heritage and join this elite band - if only to discover some of the perks it bestows.

John Lewis cuts bonuses to its employee 'partners' as it find it is not immune to the retail gloom

A file photograph showing John Lewis in Oxford Street, London,  Britain, 23 December 2008. John Lewis Partnership Plc said 02 January 2009, sales rose last week at its department-store chain, the U.K.'s largest, and Waitrose supermarkets as discounts lured shoppers in the face of an economic contraction. Revenue surged 41 percent from a year earlier to 112 million euros at Waitrose in the week to Dec. 27, the London-based company announced 02 January.  EPA/ANDY RAIN

Employees at John Lewis, which also owns Waitrose, are also partners in the business, and get a bonus depending on the company performance. Profits fell for the third year running.

Shell boss takes £300k pay cut after plummeting oil price led to 10,000 job cuts

BEN VAN BEURDEN, CEO OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC.
NORTHCLIFFE HOUSE, KENSINGTON.
16-9-2015 PIC BY IAN MCILGORM

Chief executive Ben van Beurden's salary fell from £4.4m in 2014 to £4.02m in 2015. Shell's profits have fallen 80% in the past year, but the firm still went ahead with a £36bn takeover of BG Group.

Argos shoppers taking advantage of faster collection and home delivery boost sales as takeover battle deadline nears

Argos is the subject of a bidding war between supermarket Sainsbury's and South African group Steinhoff International, who have just eight days left to formalise their offers.

Are you paying over the odds for your mortgage? Greedy lenders raking in thousands extra on annual interest

Mortgage lenders rake in thousands extra by using annual interest

Homeowners whose mortgage lenders only pay down the interest on their home loan annually are paying thousands of pounds more for their mortgage than necessary. The archaic interest payment system has been ditched for most modern-day lending, but is still in in use as standard by some building societies.

DAN HYDE: We'll never end our fight for fairness - and with your help we can win a better financial future

I begin with old-fashioned values of working tirelessly for you. And I intend to continue fighting your corner as hard as we've always done.

The £54,000 Ford Capri: Classic car with just 936 miles on the clock sells for record price

1987 Ford Capri 280 'Brooklands' with 936 miles on the clock sells for £54,000

With their distinctive 'go faster' stripe, sloping rear end and c-pillar, they were the motor of choice for young executives, boy-racers and even Del Boy Trotter (whose car is picture inset). And more than 30 years after their 1970s and 80s heyday, the Ford Capri still holds a place in drivers' hearts, with this 1987 model selling for a world record £54,000.

A third of car owners can't change a wheel without a mechanic's help - but one in ten aren't confident to fill up with fuel alone

According to a survey of 1,419 car owners, 37 per cent said they don't feel confident enough to change a wheel - and figures from breakdown services back those stats up.

'EU has boosted the dynamism of the UK economy': Bank of England's Carney warns Brexit is 'biggest domestic threat' to financial stability

Bank of England's Carney warns Brexit is 'biggest domestic threat' to UK economy

Britain faces its 'biggest domestic risk' to financial stability yet if it votes to leave the EU, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warns. A Brexit would prompt a period of financial instability that could 'last a very long time' and hit the UK's $2.9trillion economy hard, Carney told a group of MPs on the Treasury Select Committee in London today. The Governor denied being pushed by Downing Street into providing such a grim assessment of the potential consequences of a Brexit.

We couldn't ski because there was too much snow, so why won't our travel insurer pay out for piste closure?

We couldn't ski due to too much snow but travel insurer won't pay

Last year we went skiing in the French Pyrenees but over four of the days we were there, heavy snowfall and avalanches closed the pistes so we weren't able to get to the slopes. As we have travel insurance, with Blue Insurance, we thought it would cover us as we had not been able to ski but now it's rejected our claim for piste closure.

Fears of a debt boom as number of credit card borrowers asking for help soars 40% in four years

Woman stressed at a computer keyboard
paper work
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ROYALTY FREE

Stepchange says the number of families contacting it over out-of-control credit card balances has soared by 40 per cent since 2012. Customers owe an average of £8,500 each.

'Don't kill our Channel 4!': Could Britain's fourth channel be privatised? TV personalities Bank of Dave and Jon Snow hope not...

Rumours started to circulate that the Government was looking to privatise Channel Four last summer - and the broadcaster is shortly set to find out if it will be going up for sale.

Dividend Heroes revealed: The investment trusts with the longest history of raising payouts through thick and thin

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.

Cash Isa rates continue to drop fast as top two-year fixed deal now pays 1.8%

Pink piggy bank with pound coins.


BJM3K2

The top deal for one year is 1.5 per cent from both Virgin Money - available online, by post or on the high street - and Aldermore Bank.

A third of women have fallen behind with household bills and one in ten have racked up £10k debts

A third of women have fallen behind with payments on household bills and unsecured credit and one in 10 has at least £10,000 of debt.

Aberdeen Asset Management more than halves fees on three funds

Stack of British pound coins on list of share prices.

The charge for its £1.18billion Foundation Growth fund, a tracker designed to match the performance of the FTSE All Share, dropped from 1 per cent to 0.15 per cent.

Mind the gap: House prices along London's new Elizabeth Line speed ahead - rocketing £180,000 on average in seven years

House prices along London's new Elizabeth Line rocket

House prices along the new London Underground Elizabeth Line have soared, new research has revealed, as the prospect of better transport adds tens of thousands to property values. Average property values along the Elizabeth Line - previously known as Crossrail - have climbed £182,727 since building work began in May 2009. It means they now stand at £522,192 compared to £298,863 for the country as a whole.

Who are the women at the forefront of business and innovation? On International Women's Day, we meet five transforming their industries

While gender equality has hugely improved since IWD was founded in 1909, there is still some way to go. Here, five trailblazing women talk about what they would like to see happen in the future.

ALEX BRUMMER: Mark Carney in the line of fire over Brexit

Mark Carney's appearance before the Treasury Select Committee was a high voltage affair with the Eurosceptic tendency fearful that the Bank of England has been taken over by a gang of traitors.

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

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

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.

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

Fast Lane motoring supplement 
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Masatoshi Okauchi/REX/Shutterstock (5249511p)..Boris Johnson with a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at Mitsubishi Motor head office Tokyo..Boris Johnson visit to Japan - 15 Oct 2015..

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.

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.

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

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. His thoughts come as former monetary policy committee member David Blanchflower believes interest rates could be cut and will remain at rock-bottom until at least 2021.

BlackRock gold fund shares back on sale after stampede of investors in the precious metal forced suspension 

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The turmoil on global stock markets in recent weeks has triggered a stampede among savers for the precious metal - which is traditionally seen as a haven when times are tough.

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.

Self-driving Merc that overtakes on its own: New E-Class model uses inbuilt radar to complete manoeuvre and steer itself round cars

The German car giant's hi-tech new E-Class can pass other vehicles and steer around bends all by itself and is capable of performing such feats at speeds above the UK's maximum 70mph limit.

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

Hypercars may have stolen the headlines at Geneva, but there were plenty of affordable motors being showcased for the first time that should get your blood pumping.

'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 scheme

'I was a sniper. Should I put that on my CV?' As nearly 4,000 veterans are helped into

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.

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.

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?

'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.

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

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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.

TIPS, TOOLS AND HELP FOR LANDLORDS

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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.

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